Morris Gerald Hotvedt passed away in Fraser Hope Lodge, Hope, BC, at 81 years of age. After several years of declining health and advancing dementia, Morris died peacefully in his sleep on September 14, 2022.
Morris was born in Eston, Saskatchewan, on October 9, 1940, the only child of Father Hans Antoni Hotvedt (deceased 1941) and Mother Kathleen Mary (Richards) Hotvedt (deceased 2005).
Morris spent his growing up years on the Canadian prairies before moving to British Columbia and meeting the love of his life, Barbara, in Kitimat, BC. He was proud of his early career in the RCMP, and was involved in Citizens on Patrol in Chilliwack, BC for many years after retirement. He also worked in construction, mining, pulp and paper (including two years in Iran), and paper recycling industries. In his spare time, he liked fishing and hunting, and was an avid, skilled hockey player, receiving many trophies as a young man. He later moved on to coaching hockey, and to playing golf wherever he had the opportunity. Morris liked to read, especially Crime and/or Western novels, and to listen to classic, old style Country music. He enjoyed woodcraft, especially woodburning, and was well-known as a Mr. Fix-it, living by the motto of “maximum utilization of available resources.” Aside from being a loving husband and father, he was also a proud grandfather who loved to spend time with his granddaughters.
This comment from one of Morris’s old friends says it all: “Your dad was a very good and fine man. It was a pleasure to have shared time with him. He will be dearly missed.”
Morris is predeceased by his parents and his wife of 55 years, Barbara Jeanette (Peppar) Hotvedt who passed away on November 27, 2018, in Cascade Hospice, Chilliwack, BC. The two being reunited, now Morris can hear Barb say once again, “Oh, Morris!” in *that* tone (all who knew them will understand). He is survived by his son, Neil Hotvedt (fiancée Bunnie Haigh), daughter Marcia Hotvedt (wife Cindy Hart), former daughter-in-law Crystal Hotvedt, and granddaughters Taylor Hotvedt and Madison Hotvedt.
There will be no memorial service at Morris’s request. The ashes of both Morris and Barbara Hotvedt will be spread together next year, by his children, in a place loved by both of them, at their request.
If wished, donations in Morris’s name may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or Diabetes Canada, and in Barbara’s name to the Canadian Lung Association.