Mr. Marvin Elmer Hansen

Mr. Marvin Elmer Hansen was a creative man, a gifted artist, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. Marvin thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Marvin was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

       His parents were Ferdinand (Fred Sr.) and Birgite Sorensen (nee Pedersen). Marvin was raised in Kamloops and Mayne Island. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Marvin could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

      Marvin had one older brother, Fred (Jr.) who passed away in 2005.

      As a young boy, Marvin could be found building model airplanes and helping out at the local airport when not working on the family farm in North Kamloops. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything that flew. In his spare time he liked to ride his horses through the hills around Kamloops with his best friend, Ian Dalgleish. Marvin's memorable achievements included being the youngest person to fly solo in Canada at the age of 13 in a Luscombe, being a cowboy at the Guichon Ranch in his youth, and sailing a 60' fish buying ship by himself to fish camps up and down the coast during the war.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Marvin enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved taking things apart. Marvin was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. Marvin was 3 years ahead in school having started 2 years early with his big brother and then skipping a grade.

      Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Marvin was able to attain a commercial pilots license, taught flying with Vancouver U-Fly, was a bushpilot flying up and down the coast and into the arctic with BC Airlines, and flew Captain with Trans Canada Air (Air Canada). He worked in the bush as a logger to put himself through flight school and get his multi-engine ticket. After an accident took the sight in one eye, he had to start over and took many night school courses to become a mechanic and specialized in automatic transmission repair. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge.

      Marvin was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, Marvin was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Marvin to be very stimulating company. Marvin's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, his best friend was Ian Dalgleish and they spent many a day on their horses exploring the hills surrounding Kamloops. After moving back to Mayne Island in retirement, he and Hazel developed a large circle of good friends and they especially treasured their friendship with John and Nancy Rainsford.

       Marvin was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Marvin was an entertaining conversationalist with a unique sense of humour and a permanent twinkle in his eye. He was a vibrant personality and enjoyed teasing but was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings.

      Marvin's creativity influenced his relationship with his children. He was a natural teacher and would patiently show them how to fix cars, electric motors, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events fun. Marvin was blessed with two children, Jeffrey and Douglas and had a close relationship with his grandson Scott. Someone who was quick to laugh, Marvin loved nothing better than spending time with his family.

      As a born inventor, Marvin was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Marvin was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. His first career was airline pilot but after losing an eye, he had to retrain and developed a second career as a mechanic, owning and operated service stations for about 20 years.

      Marvin's “never say die” attitude and his ability to figure out any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that Marvin carried with him into the military. Marvin was a Navy veteran at the end of WWII serving as a gunnery instructor in Halifax during WWII.

      Marvin's passion for fixing things kept him busy repairing and inventing replacement parts with 5 minute epoxy. Marvin simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were drawing, painting, riding his motorcycle and sailing his Alberg 30 "Sunswept".

      Marvin's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something he did throughout his life. He enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Marvin could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing his novel ideas and problem solving strategies. Throughout his later years, Marvin was an active member of the Crib club, the SilverMaynes and ran the Bennet Bay-Campbell Bay Water Board for 14 years.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Marvin. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Marvin to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included Hawaii, a Panama Cruise, spending Januarys exploring remote areas of Baja Mexico in their motorhome and then spending the following winter months hosting happy hours at Tamarisk RV Park in Palm Springs California.

      Marvin had a soft spot for animals and cherished his pets. He spoke fondly of his horses in Kamloops: Teddy, a horse that would follow him around like a dog; Tootsie, his arabian horse that made to move to Mayne Island; and lastly, Teddybear, a Pomeranian dog. They were best friends for 12 years.

      Even while in retirement, Marvin never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In 1986, his new life involved relocating back to Mayne Island. In retirement, he found new pleasure in exploring on his motorbike, sailing and travelling in their motorhome. Even in retirement, Marvin continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

      Marvin passed away on November 8, 2008 at Victoria General Hospital. Marvin succumbed to injuries suffered when his motorcycle hit a deer. He is survived by his wife Hazel, sons Jeffrey (Mary) and Douglas; and his grandson Scott. Services were held at St. Mary Magdalen Church. Marvin was laid to rest in the Mayne Island Cemetery over looking Active Pass, near his father and brother.

      During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Marvin. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Marvin was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Marvin, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Mr. Marvin Elmer Hansen, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.