Lyle Murray Wakelin
February 24, 1950 ~ February 15, 2013
Lyle M. Wakelin was born February 24, 1950 in Saskatoon, SK. At the age of two he was a passenger on a freighter out of New York bound for Venezuela with his Christian missionary parents. Lyle spent most of his youth there, and returned to Canada in 1967 where he finished high school, and was baptized in Salem Church, Waldheim, Sask. Lyle attended Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois, majoring in history, and then a year of university in Barcelona, Spain. While there he traveled Europe on his Triumph motorcycle.
Lyle moved to Lethbridge, AB in 1971 where he spent the next 30 years. He married Debby Mehrer of Creston in 1983, divorcing in 1992, and had two children. While in Lethbridge he worked in various construction trades including on gas pipelines, self-employment building grain bins, and lastly ammonite jewelry fabrication.
Lyle always loved the mountains and wanted to move to British Columbia. He finally got the chance in 2002 when he moved to Gray Creek, and for 10 years worked in Gray Creek at The Lakeview in the post office, store, campground and marina.
Lyle was a stoic, private, and gentle man, with a wry sense of humor. He was a loving and nurturing father, had many friends both in Lethbridge and the Kootenays, and was always ready with practical help for friends and family. He played trumpet in his youth and developed a love of music, resulting in an extensive collection of rock and roll. He loved skiing, mostly at Westcastle and Fernie, hunting in the Alberta foothills, and canoeing.
Lyle’s health substantially deteriorated in the last 15 years when he had chronic back pain, and most recently an illness diagnosed too late. He passed away unexpectedly on February 15, 2013.
We are stunned that he is gone. He touched many people, and he will be in our hearts forever.
He is survived by his mother and father Bruce and Nina Wakelin of Abbotsford, BC; son Laine Wakelin in Lethbridge, AB; daughter Ilea Wakelin in Vancouver, BC; sisters Lois in Gray Creek, BC and Elaine in Bakersfield, CA; brother Dennis and wife Jacki, and two nieces, Rachel and Sarah in Hauser, Idaho.
Lyle is buried in the Gray Creek Cemetery close to his home.
The Memorial Service was held February 22, 2013 at Gray Creek Hall.