Alfredo Pozzobon

December 5, 1928 – June 10, 2022

On June 10th, our beloved “Old Cowboy” made his last inevitable ride to the sky. He was a good man, husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle and friend. We all will miss him greatly. He had many friends from all walks of life and never hesitated to share a story about his life, parents or grandparents. While he always kept his family close, his other love was of friends, cows, horses, crops and bulldozers.

He was born in Pinantan Pritchard to Samuel and Assunta Pozzobon on the homestead at Pooley Lake. He had four siblings – Mackie, Sammy, Marino and Maria. He attended Pemberton Range School until the age of 13 years. When he finished school, he left home for the first time on foot, crossed the Monte Creek Ferry and went to work on the Bostock Ranch. That fall, he returned home to Pooley Lake where his brother Mackie was living and working. Come spring he returned to Bostock Ranch on his horse and was hired on as a cowboy under the guidance and care of Fred Nichol and his wife. He stayed on the ranch for 6 years. From Bostock Ranch, he went to work for Buckerfields Ranch (Green Acres) for one year. After this, he and his brother Sammy started up a sawmill in Pinantan. Eventually all four brothers – Freedy, Mackie, Sammy and Marino worked at this mill. When they were not working, they were at a rodeo. They all started rodeo at an early age. Freedy entered saddle bronc and later calf roping and team roping. He still carried his “Gold Card” from the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association.

He married Jean Cherriman of Chase, B.C. in 1954. Three children were born – Robbie, Colleen and Steven. He bought two acres along the Trans-Canada Highway near Pritchard from the Stewart family. Here they built a house, which was later lifted and moved to VLA Flats in Chase. Upon moving to Chase, he left the sawmill but continued logging – first with Danny Dee of Pritchard, then with Lloyd McNary (brother-in-law) and finally with Clarence Becker. He and Clarence formed Lee Creek Holdings and remained partners for 28 years. Together they both had homes in Chase, logged and bought property in Chase Creek (the Porlier place, the Cahilti place and the Hepburn place). To this day Freedy holds and runs the 29 brand from Jack Hepburn. Between logging, farming, road building, and raising families, life was busy. In 1996, Freedy and Jean would move to the Chase Creek Property where they continue to reside today. Hard work and hard play, good memories, and a lot of fun was had. Eventually, Clarence retired and invested in new ventures with his relatives while Freedy down sized in 2004 and sold the 160 acres on the top side with gravel pit to Mickey Van-Dyke. He continued to graze lease the pit property for spring and fall while also keeping the Harper Lake Range for summer. He spent his time running 30 head of Charlois and Red Angus cows. This spring he moved them to pasture and checked on them at Harper Lake until his last day.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years and remained living on the Chase Creek farm where he wanted to be. He was predeceased by Rob, his oldest son, who was tragically killed in a logging accident in 1976. He is survived by his daughter – Colleen (David) Porlier and son – Steven Pozzobon; grand children Kyla (Derry) Dawson, Chris (Echo) Porlier, Josh Pozzobon and Payton Pozzobon; great-grandchildren Bradley and Hailey Dawson, and Ava, Wyatt and Colter Porlier; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We are extremely grateful and send a huge thank you to many: Dr. Kevin Goldberg for his years of care and friendship, to our neighbors who were our cattle beacons when the cattle were coming and going, our fellow hay growers who always helped dad top up, and the extended family and community members who provided enduring kindness and heartfelt support!

Service and memories Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 1:30pm in the Chase Community Hall, Chase, B.C.