Wade John Simper

February 2, 1965 - January 10, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

Wade John Simper age 58 of Edmonton, Alberta passed away on Jan. 10/2024.

Wade was born on Feb. 2/1965 to Wayne and Darlene Simper in Campbell River, BC and was the youngest of three boys. After graduating in 1983 from Carihi Senior Secondary School Wade started work for Overwaitea Foods, while enjoying his love for fishing, playing hockey and fastball.

In the summer of 1990 Wade met his wife of 28 years Shannon and planned their first date of fishing for pinks out front of his parents' home on Oyster Garden Road. Although no fish were caught, he did manage to land a second date of camping and fishing near the Upper Quinsam Lake.

They bought their first home on Reef Crescent in 1993 and married in 1995 in Victoria, BC in a beautiful outdoor wedding at Shannon's parents' home, lit up under a full harvest moon.

Wade and Shannon welcomed four children, Levi, Austin, Colson and Brooklyn, and started work at Timberwest Lumber Mill where he worked for the next 14 years.

His greatest passion was camping and fishing with his family at Cougar Creek, Buttle Lake and Fry Lake where he entered Derby's in hopes of catching one of his kids "the big one". He was ecstatic when he purchased his father-in-law's 1977 Frontier GMC Motorhome and never missed a single weekend that summer of taking it out, even if it was for only one night.

We will always remember the time Wade caught his finger in the awning and one of the boys running down the gravel road yelling at other campers to help get his finger out.

In 2011 Wade started work for Suncor Energy in Fort McMurray, AB as a Heavy Haul Truck Driver. He relocated his family to Edmonton, AB in 2013 in order to keep the family close and to increase opportunities for the kids.

Wade's zest for life included watching his kids play sports and enjoyed coaching them in hockey, soccer and baseball. He loved taking his kids to MLB games in Seattle. One of his fondest memories was that of seeing the Toronto Blue Jays in their prime in 1991 in Annaheim, CA.

He enjoyed the outdoors, vacationing in Mexico and visiting his hometown of Campbell River was always a highlight for him. He loved walking his beloved yellow lab Brandy, for miles and miles every day.

Wade was kind, caring, and generous and had a great sense of Humor. His laughter can still be heard when he would sneak into the kid's rooms late at night after enjoying a couple of lucky's and wake them up just to wrestle with them. Trying to get him out of there and then getting them back to bed was a whole other story.

He loved his job, worked hard and was an amazing provider. He was a loving hands-on husband and father. He was so proud of his kids and said so at great lengths especially every Thanksgiving around the dinner table.

Wade will be remembered for his excitement to show his kids something new, and for having Pizza Hut on speed dial on family nights. And being the first up on Christmas mornings wearing his traditional Santa boxers.

You will be greatly missed by your family. Your memories started to fade....but they are not lost on us...

Wade is survived by his wife Shannon, his four kids Levi, Austin, Colson and Brooklyn, his parents Wayne and Darlene Simper, brothers Ron (Darlene) and Todd, various aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins.

Celebration of Life will be held at the Maritime Museum in Campbell River on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 2-5 pm. The family requests donations to be made to "The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration" to cure Frontotemporal Dementia.