Shortly after the stock market crash of 1929, our Dad, Harold (Sonny) Knapp was born on November 28th in Sherbrooke Quebec. He grew up in the small town of East Angus with his parents Robert (Bob) Knapp and Mildred Cook and his five sisters, Betty, Audrey, Dorothy, Charlotte and Elaine. Dad the eldest and Elaine the youngest -- they often joked that they were the bookends of the family. Elaine has been especially supportive to her big brother and to us in recent years; nourishing him with her delicious soups and baked goods and taking the time to care for both his emotional and physical needs.
In 1955, Dad married his hometown sweetheart Muriel Alice Stickles, and two years into their marriage they bought a small farm on the outskirts of East Angus. He also worked at the town’s Pulp and Paper Mill, as his father and grandfather did before him.
Much to our Mom's chagrin, Dad joked that he married her as she was good looking and, therefore, he would have good looking children! Together, they welcomed six daughters and two sons before moving to Ontario in 1973. Shelley, Melody, Tammy, Penny, Ross, Troy, Tracey and Holly. During their life together they also welcomed 12 grandchildren Mandy, Jacey, Denise, Marielle, Robert, Dylan, Klay, Reanna, Victoria, Reed, Kane and Hope and six great grandchildren Anthony, Sidney, Ash, Emma, Greydon and Sterling.
During his long life, our Dad had a strong sense of duty – not only to his large family but to aiding others in need. From 1954 to 1956 he volunteered to serve in the Korean War, and in 2014 he was awarded an Ambassador of Peace Medal by the Korean Government. While in Quebec, he was a strong participant in the Anglican Church and a proud Mason. During his retirement years, he volunteered at the Parksville SOS and for the Qualicum Beach Ladies Auxiliary – acclaimed to be the best dishwasher they ever had!
Both of our parents had an appreciation and love of nature. They spent a lot of their retirement years driving all over Vancouver Island, looking for beautiful vistas and enjoying the wildlife they found along the way. For a few years, Dad enjoyed fishing for salmon in the Straight of Georgia on his small fishing boat named Salty. He was an avid walker and enjoyed camping with his family and taking fishing trips with his two sons.
He was also interested in the arts, and for a few years took stained glass and oil painting classes. He had a natural talent working with wood, and each of his children are left with a beautiful keepsake of something he made especially for them. In his retirement, he joined a seniors’ Ukulele band for several years and was always a fan of classic country and western music. Dad's keen mind served him well until the end. He learned to conquer the computer world at the age of 80.
He will be greatly missed not only by his family and close friends but by a group of wonderful people who made it possible for him to remain in his own home until his death. Our family would like to acknowledge the selfless dedication and devotion of the following individuals: Mike and Barb Shannon, Margaret Moni, Shurli Pincombe, Ellen O'Connor, Jordana Rauscher, Stephanie Westbroek, Susan Gupta, the many home support workers at Vancouver Island Health Authorities (VIHA) and the staff at Memorial Compounding Pharmacy in Qualicum Beach (special thanks to Lee). In addition, we wish to recognize and thank Companion Dogs Rosie, Guinness, Ruby and Stella who lifted our Dad's spirits almost daily.
Lastly, we are so grateful for the tireless efforts of Dr. Amitabh Bakshi, VIHA’s Community Health Services Case Manager, Shannon Prear, and Occupational Therapist, Kirsten Hundza, as well as the entire Palliative Care Team. Through their deep commitment to the delivery of patient focused and family centered care, our father's quality of life in his final years was richer and more dignified.
The above exemplifies that it indeed "Takes a Village" to honour the wishes of our elders, and we are humbled by the acts of everyone who stepped forward with a helping hand and warm heart.
A Celebration of Life is being planned and will be announced at a later date (to take place in the area of Newmarket, Ontario). In lieu of flowers, contributions to the following cause would be appreciated:
Poppy Fund
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 76
180 Veterans Ways
Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1L8
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