July 22, 1934 - April 27, 2021
Irving "Irv" William Wilson passed away at the age of 86 on April 27, 2021, in Campbell River, BC. He was chatty and charming until the very end.
Irv was born July 22, 1934, in Edmonton, Alberta, but was raised in Jasper where his dad, Bill, worked on the railway as a conductor. His mother, Jean, came to Canada from Scotland as a young girl. Everyone in the family fondly remembers Irv's Jasper stories and the colourful cast of characters he grew up with.
Irv graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in medicine and completed his orthopedic surgical residencies in Alberta and Kentucky. In 1961 he was admitted to the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons. He hung up his own shingle as an orthopedic surgeon in Abbotsford, BC, and Chilliwack, BC. He even practiced for a year in Saudi Arabia.
Irv married Beverley Nygaard in 1960. They had two children, Andrew and Wendy, and lived on a quiet but bustling street in Abbotsford. In 1977, Irv married Joan "Jo" Falys and they shared 44 wonderful years together.
In addition to her love of life, Jo brought with her five children from her previous marriage, Kim, Greg, Kelly, Lori and Michael. Kids from two families became one, and the stories and adventures flowed from there.
Irv was known as "Bapooh" to his grandchildren, Ryan, Sean, Jennie, Michael, Matthew, Andrew, Abby, Violet, Jacob. He loved kids and they loved him, each of them braving life with funny nicknames from their larger than life grandpa.
Renowned for telling (and retelling) his classic jokes, Irv loved to get together with his many friends to talk, sing and laugh. Dinners and parties at the Wilsons' were legendary. He was loved for his charm, sense of humour and generosity.
Irv is survived by his wife Jo and one big blended family who will miss him.