John Farquharson

May 21, 1929 – May 11, 2024

Ian was born to John and Christine Farquharson in Dundee, Scotland. He was the oldest of three children. Ann and Kay were his sisters whom he loved very much.

Ian is survived by his wife Darlene of close to 70 years, his sons Ronald John (Carol) and their children Stephanie, Scott, and Aaron. Robert Alexander (Shelly) and their children Laura and Michael. Daughter Donna Lee and son Corey.

One of Dad's earliest memories was watching King George V and his family arriving for summer vacation at Balmoral Castle. Friends of the family, Mr., and Mrs. Fairweather, used to baby sit Ian, Ann and Kay and were also tasked with caretaking the church called (Crathie Kirk) that the royal family attended while vacationing in Scotland. This gave Dad, Ann, and Kay a yearly highlight in their childhood.

Our family was vacationing in Scotland in 1972 and had the opportunity to attend a church service and sit in the “Farquharson Pew” which we thought was so special. Donna Lee got her picture taken sitting in the Royal Chair. Not sure that was allowed!!

Dad began his Joiner Apprenticeship at the age of fourteen and completed it five years later and then spent the next two years in the Royal Navy aboard an aircraft carrier and on the beach in Malta in the Mediterranean Sea.

Once he completed his service with the Royal Navy, Dad began his trek to

Canada, he boarded a ship in Scotland and arrived in Nova Scotia in 1952. He had an uncle and aunt living in Toronto and stayed with them for about six months before travelling across the country to visit another aunt and uncle in Kamloops, BC.

Dad’s original plan was to make it to Kitimat, BC as there was a lot of construction work there but after spending time in Kamloops, and falling in love with it, he made the decision to stay.

In Kamloops at that time there was a social club called the “Outdoor Club” which he joined to meet new friends. It was while enjoying his time with this group that he met the love of his life Darlene, our mom. The courting began and during this time Mom and Dad would take walks away from the clubhouse that was up Rose Hill. They both loved walking amongst the pine trees which were abundant. Dad turned to Mom at some point and stated he was going to build her dream home up there some day. Mom and Dad were married in Kamloops on September 27th, 1955, and this dream came to fruition in 1980, when Dad built a wonderful home in Rosehill, that they enjoyed for thirty-six years.

In the early years of their marriage Dad was contracted to build the first

Travelodge in Canada right here in Kamloops and after that in Prince George,

Bellingham and Vernon. After this he was able to purchase the land to build the restaurant at the Travelodge and named it Scotty’s Pancake House. Operating the restaurant was a huge endeavour considering he was a carpenter and knew nothing about running a restaurant. However, he gave it his all for a few years before deciding to sell it and go back to his trade, hard hat, and work boots.

Dad built many homes in the Kamloops area and a condominium building on 4th and Nicola Street called the “Windsor” which is still there today.

Dad spent many years volunteering his time with the Red Cross repairing wheelchairs alongside his very good friend Johnny Campagnaro. He also provided a great deal of volunteer time to the United Church and the Anglican Church for their building programs.

Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling together to many destinations around the world and square dancing with a close group of friends. Dad often talked about their favorite “Caller” Johnny Henderson who kept them all hopping for hours.

In answer to Mom's many years of faithful praying, Dad accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in late April and is now enjoying eternity in heaven with God.

There will be a graveside service for our dad at Hillside Cemetery on Wednesday May 22nd, 2024, at 1:00 PM, for those who wish to attend.

Rest easy Dad, we will take care of Mom.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.schoeningfuneralservice.com