July 26, 1935 – July 5, 2025
at the age of 89 years:
A celebration of Les’ remarkable life and gift to the Shuswap community is planned for 11 am, Saturday, July 26 on his 90th birthday at First United Church.
“Once upon a time” there was a beloved man of letters who loved literature, his community and all of nature around him, and who always began lectures with “once upon a time”.
Leslie Ellenor passed away July 5, 2025, three weeks short of his 90th birthday. He was born in Dawlish, Devon, England in 1935 to parents, Methodist Minister Thomas Ellenor and Agnes. Les received his education at Ripon Grammar School, which he proudly says was founded in 670 AD. He went to St. Cuthbert College at Durham University (1954-57) and then served in Germany as a Lieutenant in the British Army (1957-59). He returned to university in 1960 to do a Diploma in Education at Oxford. He taught in England, New Zealand (Wellington College, 1962-1965) and eventually in Port Alberni, British Columbia. In 1969 Ellenor did a Masters degree in English at UBC and began teaching English from the beginning on Salmon Arm campus of Okanagan College in 1970. He taught there for 31 years.
While teaching at Alberni District Senior Secondary in 1964, he met his future wife, widow at the time, Joan. They married in 1970. Along with Joan, he is survived by three children, Susan (Andrew), Geoffrey (Megan) and Jessica; grandchildren, Rachel and Jarrad (Rhea); great-grandchildren, Eloise and Soren; sister, Janice Baird; plus nieces and nephews in the UK and New Zealand. Les is predeceased by sister and brother, Wendy and Lewis.
His interests include cross country skiing, reading, theatre and singing in the United Church Senior Choir that sometimes included hilarious skits. Countless students remember him with fondness and gratitude, and many enjoyed running into him on his daily walks that he continued until shortly before his passing.
His incredible wealth of knowledge of Classical literature in Britain and Europe was known far and wide. He also played a role in the emerging interest in Canadian literature with the first university courses offered. He led workshops and lectures throughout BC, and was often called upon by CBC to enlighten listeners on the ancient roots of Christmas, Halloween or Easter.
October 31, 1937 – July 4, 2025
at the age of 87 years:
Celebration of Life, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Enrico was born Oct 31, 1937 in the city of Montebelluna, Treviso, Italy and passed away in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada at the age of 87 on July 4, 2025.
He was predeceased by his brother Orlando, son Carlo, and wife Heather. Enrico is survived by his sister Luigia, brothers Antonio, Renzo, and Gino, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends in both Canada & Italy. He is also survived by daughter Liana (Randy), daughter-in-law Sheri and grandchildren Gino (Lucy) and Cierra (Kelson).
Papa started working young as an apprentice shoemaker in Italy, but at the age of 18 the whole family accompanied him to the station with his cardboard suitcases and said goodbye as he left for Canada. His ship arrived in Halifax July 3, 1956 and he took the train to Vancouver arriving at his uncle’s July 8. He then started work with CN Rail, sending money home to help his family. After several years he started factory work at NoSag Spring, manufacturing mattresses and sofa-beds. His last job was with Stylus as a shipper-receiver and delivery driver until retirement in 2003. Enrico & Heather then made the move from the Lower Mainland to the Shuswap to be closer to kids & grandkids.
Papa loved long distance cycling with friends when he was young and was always interested in cars, working on his own vehicles and following Formula 1 Racing. Papa enjoyed downhill skiing, boating and camping on lakes in the Pacific Northwest and especially in the Shuswap, and the cabins at Canim Lake in the fall. Papa loved good food and later in life took up cooking and gardening. There was always a constant battle with the deer over the radicchio.
Family would like to thank Dr. Heunis, and the staff of Shuswap Lodge and Mt Ida Mews – Chinook floor for their care and understanding.
After he moved to Canada Papa became interested in studying the Bible and became a Witness of Jehovah in 1963. He got joy from helping others learn about the Bible too and was a faithful and caring elder for many decades. He was always a kind husband, father, and Nonno. Papa’s memorial service will be at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 721 2nd St SE, Salmon Arm, BC on September 6, 2025 at 1PM. Zoom hookup will be available – please contact Randy & Liana Yates for the codes. We look forward to welcoming Dad & Mom back to life in a Paradise earth in the near future. John 11:25, Psalms 37:29
June 07, 1928 – July 03, 2025
at the age of 97 years:
It is with more sadness than words can convey that we announce the passing of Gilbert Eber Johnson, who passed away peacefully at his home on July 03. He is pre-deceased by his son, Douglas (Kathy), daughter Linda, and sons-in-law Al and Barry. He is survived by his wife of 75 years Orma, daughters Gloria (Rick), Shirley (Jeff), Evelyn, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his oldest sister, Freda and youngest sister, Evelyn.
He was a favourite uncle to nieces and nephews and favourite Dad to our friends. He was good humoured and loved to share a joke with his family and friends. His family was everything to him. He parented lovingly but as a child you knew when you had crossed the line when he would say “Do you remember Martin? Then Martin up”. A good friend of his, after hearing of his passing described him perfectly stating “Your Dad was a very important and influential part of my northern experience and I have many memories. He was a man of great integrity and pure grit, having what it took to be successful in the things he did, both personally and professionally. He touched many lives.”
He was born at the family farm in Frys, Saskatchewan in 1928. He grew up in Saskatchewan but relocated to Salmon Arm to pursue a better future for his family. His first job was “slinging beer” at the Montebello Hotel. When he started working on the dozer and tugboats at Federated CO-OP mill in Canoe, he moved his family to BC in 1965. During a strike at the mill he travelled to Mackenzie, BC and started working for a log salvage business clearing wood debris from Williston Lake, the man-made lake from the Bennett Dam. He eventually bought the business and successfully operated and expanded this seasonal work for over 30 years. It was a family business with his wife cooking, his son Doug was his right-hand man and his daughters and a few other valued employees and members of his family all working there until he retired in 1996.
At his request, there will be no Celebration of Life Service.
December 25, 1941 – July 3, 2025
at the age of 83 years
May 30, 1929 – June 30, 2025
at the age of 96 years
July 5, 1944 – June 30, 2025
at the age of 80 years
