Obituary of Ian Raymond Hassall

January 6, 1930 – July 15, 2018

Ian passed away peacefully at the age of 88 at Mackenzie Place, Grande Prairie on July 15, 2018. Ian was born in Rotherham, New Zealand, the eldest of 6 children born to Alice and Ray Hassall.

At the age of 23 he left New Zealand for Australia on his trip around the world.  After working in several places in Australia, he headed for England via the Suez Canal; then after working for a time around London it was time to try Canada, although he landed in the US to visit relatives in Medina, NY first.  He emigrated to London, Ontario where he worked for 6 months then went by car to Vancouver which reminded him of New Zealand so he stayed for 3 ½ years.  Lack of work forced him to move and he arrived in Grande Prairie in 1961. His plans to go back to New Zealand changed in 1962 when he married Nora Trottier (Sherk) and became a Dad to Patti (6 years) and Robert (4 years).  He was first a Landed Immigrant and in 2004 he became a Canadian citizen.

Ian worked for Modern Decore for 10 years and in 1972 he became owner of Commercial Paint Contractors.  In 1963 Lisa was added to the family and Gary in 1966. After many family visits back to New Zealand, Canada became home, winter and all!

Ian loved gardening, camping, skiing, rugby, candy and especially great grandchildren.

He will be so missed by his loving family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Nora; children Patti, Robert, Lisa and Gary (Cathe); grandchildren:  Rob (Amy), Alison, Jaclyn (Ryan), and Ryan (Carly); great grandchildren: Jacob, Ben, Delainee, Sophya, Jaxxon, Nixxon, and Samuel; brothers and sisters in New Zealand; Bruce (Doreen), Carol (Donald), Alison (Jim), Brent (Robin), and Don (Jenny); sister-in-law, Shirley, son-in-law Al, and many nieces and nephews in Canada and New Zealand.

“All the best”…  you really are “good as gold”.

Don’t take too many backroads on your final journey!

A Celebration of Life will take place on July 31, 2018 at 2:00pm at St. Paul’s United Church, 10206 100 Avenue, Grande Prairie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation, 10409 98 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2E8, or to a charity of your choice.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home www.bearcreekfuneral.com 780-830-7742