Obituary of Christopher York

Chris will be sadly missed by his wife Kim Holtby-York; two sons: D'Arcy and April Vannini, Jake York; one grandson Justin as well as numerous other relatives. Eulogy of Christopher "Chris" Norman York Today, we have gathered together to honour Chris' life. Christopher Norman York was born in Sudbury, Ontario on March 11, 1952 to the parents of Norman Mathew and Ramona Hazel York. Gail his older sister by a few years was happy to have a little brother. Chris was the 2nd child of 4.His siblings were: Gail, Vallarie, and Darcy York. His father was a geologist for Inco mines- working very long hours. His mother, Ramona struggled with the four kids and home. Chris was aware of his mother's limitations and assumed the parental role at a very young age. He took over the guardianship role of his 2 younger siblings. This was a big role to fill for such a young boy. Chris' childhood was turbulent at best. A combination of a variety of events happened over the next few years led to Chris quitting school in Grade 6. He left home at a young age and travelled. Chris travelled to Woodstock and the Montreal Expo. These were great events that he often recalled. Furthermore, Chris hitchhiked to Vancouver. There he found a community of friends -that remain friends today. Chris found employment in Deeley's Harley Davidson in Vancouver doing odd jobs around the shop, as well as, he got work at a local pulp mill. Through the years, Chris went back and forth from Sudbury to Vancouver checking in on his siblings. One of these trips he met a lady. They married soon after and Chris found work at the Inco mines. On June 23, 1973 D'Arcy Edward York was born. In the end the extended family pressures led way to the failure of the marriage. Chris left Ontario- leaving behind his most precious accomplishment his son D'Arcy. This was very hard for him to do. Chris stayed in touch as much as he could but was soon pushed out of D'Arcy's life. Chris headed back to his family in Vancouver, finding employment driving a truck. Chris decided to make a new start and headed to Lloydminster in 1979 to find work in the oil patch. He found work immediately driving for Halliburton a local cementing company. He liked the job but was not keen on sitting still in between jobs. He found employment that suited him better -driving for Border Agro Services delivering fertilizer to the local farmers. Meanwhile, he did night shift at the Alberta Hotel as a bartender for a couple of years. He didn't mind working! Harry and Sue that owned the Alberta Hotel treated Chris like their son. In 1980, he was in Lashburn visiting some old friends that he knew from the coast. The Lashburn beer gardens were on at the time-that is where Kim and Chris met. They were instantly drawn to each other. Chris found work driving truck for Eppen's Transport(Clarkson). The following summer Kim and Chris decided to move into together-above the Lashburn Coop Store. In 1981, Chris was driving truck for Eppens Transport delivering freight, when he jumped off the trailer onto the loading dock and landed on a rock the wrong way injuring his knee. His knee injury followed with several unsuccessful operations. This left Chris very frustrated because he was not the kind of guy to sit still too long. Then the next many years tested his patients and pride. This was a trying time! In 1989, Chris got a phone call from his ex-brother in law Joe who finally informed him that his son D'Arcy was to be released from Children's Aid in Ontario in 2 weeks at the age of 16 yrs to the streets. Chris suddenly had a purpose in life. Chris leaped right in to track down D'Arcy. He first had to prove that he was alive and well to the Ontario Court system-which he did. Kim and Chris contacted D'Arcy and offered him a home. They sent him a train ticket-his choice to get on the train. Just before Kim's birthday in July, they picked D'Arcy up from the train in Wainwright and took him to their new home in Lloydminster. Chris and Kim couldn't be happier. They had an instant teenager to figure out and explore. Chris became a phenomenal caring dad-D'Arcy was everything to him. On March 2, 1991 Kim and Chris got married after 10 years of being together. They boarded MS Westerdam in Ft.Lauderdale , Florida and were married. Kim and Chris loved to camp and fish. They enjoyed these trips as often as they could. Chris always loved a good campfire and he took pride in building one. When you sat around a campfire with Chris it always would prove to be very interesting. His adventures in life were amazing. Kim and Chris also made a road trip to Sturgis and went on a few cruises together. The majority of Kim and Chris' time was usually spent doing projects together-building garages, decks, and houses. Through this time-Kim continued to work at Case International as the Parts Manager. On December 18th, 1994 Richard Jacob York was born. They were proud parents of their new little addition. He was named after our late Uncle Dick Bexfield -whom Kim held close to her heart. Kim and Chris` lives were settled. However, Case International was bought out to a private company and Kim`s remaining days on maternity leave left her unemployed. Kim decided it was time for a career change. She enrolled in the Computer Science Diploma program at Lakeland College-a 2 year program. Chris took over the home front looking after Jake. Chris had over the years become a very good conversationalist. He was interested in world affairs, politics, history and life. He spent many hours with his son Jake teaching new words. I think their goal was one new word a day. Chris was very intelligent and loved any challenge put forward to him. One day we remember as we gathered around the kitchen table that Chris ``took on`` our Great Aunt Margaret Peek- a history Professor from the University of Idaho on the subject of the English monarchy. It was healthy challenge followed with a good laugh. Chris held his own. Chris spent most of his life driving truck and travelling from coast to coast to coast acquiring the nick name ``Drifter``. The majority of Chris` friends knew him as "Drifter." There wasn`t many places that Chris could not tell you about. He often spoke of the night he witnessed the sinking of the Edmunds Fitzgerald in November of 1975 on Lake Superior. He helped light fires on the beach to let survivors know where the shore was. Chris loved to fish and he was good at it. His dad taught him everything he knew about fishing. Chris always came home with a solid catch. He really liked taking Jake fishing. For years, Chris canned fish and was an excellent cook. He made a mean homemade spaghetti sauce. He loved the invention of the bread maker-he used it quite regularly. Furthermore, Chris barbequed deer meat that would make any mouth water. His friends and family were his life. He loved socializing with his buddies over a beer and great food. Chris was eager to learn about anything. When it came time to build his kitchen cupboards with dad he jumped right in and was so proud of his new kitchen. Chris was an excellent marksman! He learned this talent when he was a member of the Air Cadets back home in Sudbury. His dad also taught him the responsibilities of handling and shooting a firearm. His older sister Gail tells the story of Chris when he was about 15 years old. Chris was always looking for something to do. She said he was easily bored so one day he decided to tie a rope across the street just high enough to catch the local police cruisers red emergency lights. He didn`t get into trouble. But it was so funny. There are many stories of Chris always lending a hand during seeding and harvest time. He would drive the grain truck or be the taxi as we moved fields. He loved being a part of the family farm. Chris` first love---- was definitely for a Harley Davidson bike! Over the years he treasured his bikes especially the "Old Shovel". With Chris's leg limitations he purchased a trike so he could keep up with his buddies-but his true love was always his "Shovel". Chris liked his workspace, like any man. He could hardly wait to build his garage. This fall they completed this project- a great accomplishment for the Kim and Chris. Chris was very happy. Chris was a kind soul! Children picked up on that instantly. When they lived in Lloyd all the children on the cul-de sac would visit Chris daily. He loved the kids! He would introduce them to their Rottweiler "Bandit" and teach them how to behave around her. Chris would give them all Mr.Freezies on a regular basis. Chris was really saddened when his son D`Arcy injured his heel and again when his son Jake broke his leg on two different occasions and again this summer when Jake broke his ankle. He didn`t want his two boys to be disabled as he was. This was big concern to Chris . Chris was a great grandpa to Justin a grandson from D`Arcy and April whom live in Medicine Hat. Justin was born in August of 2006. Chris and Justin would get on the phone quite often and talk for an hour or more about a variety of subjects including spiderman and hockey. They had a special bond and a growing relationship. D`Arcy and April have built a successful roofing company-Trademark Roofing. Chris was so pleased of his son`s accomplishments. Chris loved to watch his son Jake play goal. He is a talented goalie. Jake made the 2011 All-star team for the Midget AA Centre Four League-this made Chris very proud. Jake`s eagerness to earn the almighty buck made Chris very happy. He loved the fact that his boys were eager to stand on their own two feet. He and Kim taught them how to work. Chris was very proud of his sons and he always wanted the best for them. Chris loved his wife-Kim. She was everything to him! They were exactly a like-opinionated, strong-willed and determined to live life to its fullest. Chris loved his family, his friends, his "Old Shovel", his fishing boat, his yard and he was always was thankful of his country! Donations in memory of Chris may be made to the President's Choice Children's Charity.