June 3, 1928 - December 26, 2020
It is with much love and deep sadness that the Redlin family announces the passing of their father, Vern Redlin, at the age of 92 years, from complications of COVID-19.
Vern grew up in the small farming community of Killam, Alberta, during the Great Depression and World War II. His family worked hard at farming and other businesses while also enjoying music and dance. Vern had many happy memories of singing along in the living room as his mother played the piano or father played the violin. As a young man, he had particular fun playing alto saxophone and clarinet in the Western Four, a local dance band. His love of music was passed on to his children, and they can still hear him whistling as he tended to chores around the house.
He joined the Alberta public service in the early 1950s, eventually moving to Calgary and working for many years as a journeyman electrician with the provincial government. In the 1970s, he became a Building Superintendent responsible for physical plant management at the John J. Bowlen office building, amongst others.
Vern married Jean Connell, of Neepawa, Manitoba, in 1955, and the two of them raised a son and three daughters. They built a home in the Charleswood neighbourhood of northwest Calgary where the family grew up and went to school. He got great pleasure out of carpentry work and frequently made improvements to the home that they built.
Vern enjoyed sports through the years, participating on curling and baseball teams, as well as joining friends for a round of golf whenever he could. He also enjoyed taking the family camping and travelling through the US all the way to Mexico.
He retired to the west coast in the 1980s, living mostly in White Rock, BC. He greatly enjoyed daily walks along the seawall and along the beach.
Despite serious coronary and circulatory challenges over the years, he lived independently in his own apartment until age 90.
Vern always had a quick-witted sense of humour that stood him in particularly good stead after moving to a Burnaby extended care home following a leg amputation in 2019. His quips kept everybody smiling.
Vern is survived by his son Blair (Melva) and daughters Janice (Brian), Kim (Ted), and Brenda (Drew). He was predeceased by his wife Jean, father Bob, mother Esther, and sisters Elaine and Mary-Anne. He will be greatly missed.
The Redlin family is very grateful for the compassionate and professional care provided by the staff of St. Michael's Centre. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Michael's Centre (https://stmichaels.bc.ca/donate) or a charity of your choice.
"Be ahead of all Departure, as if it were behind you like the winter that's just passed. For among winters there's one so endlessly winter that, wintering out, your heart will really last." Rainer Maria Rilke, The Sonnets to Orpheus