Tribute

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Cliff Thomason, on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the age of 87.

Cliff was born on September 5, 1928 to Alfred and Louisa Thomason in West Bromwich, England and spent his childhood years in the village of Princethorpe.  At the age of 14 Cliff left school and went to work in an airplane factory wiring the midsection of the Lancaster, the most successful of the Second World War night bombers. Following that Cliff enlisted in the army for the standard conscription and was based in Austria after the war.

In 1952 Cliff immigrated to Canada where he first found employment farming on the Appleby jersey dairy farm in Dewdney, Mission, BC.  Cliff tried his hand at many jobs during his early years in Canada.  He wrote the forestry exam, worked as an electrician in Ocean Falls, spent some time in the Yukon working on the gold dredges, to name a few.  In 1956 Cliff set off to Australia with plans to travel and attend the Olympics.  He spent some time working on a sheep farm in New Zealand.

Cliff returned to Canada and in 1958 he married Barbara Petty and they made their home in Clayburn village on a dairy farm where they lived until 1973.  In 1973 they moved their family to Matsqui village where they briefly owned Simmental beef cattle and then again operated a dairy farm.  A total of 30 years they shipped to Dairyland.  Cliff and Barbara both enjoyed time 5 pin bowling with the farm league in Abbotsford at Galaxy Bowl.

In 1988 they sold the dairy farm, moved to Mission and built Hillside Carwash, a coin operated car wash and later the first automatic wash, which his son George took over the operation of.  The “wash” provided Cliff with entertainment in his semi-retirement years.  During the years in Mission Cliff participated in the seniors curling club. 

Cliff is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (58 years); son George (Amrit), grandchildren Amanda and Ryan; daughter Jennifer (Ken), grandchildren Brianna, Rebecca (Stephen), Tyler, Jeremy and Devan.  Cliff is predeceased by both parents and his older brother Ray (England). Cliff is survived by his older sister Doreen (91) and many relatives who still reside in England. 

The family wishes to thank Cliff’s healthcare providers including Dr. de Klerk, resident Adam Siemens, the staff at Mission Hospital, the Mission Fire Department and paramedics, for their care and ssistance.                                                                                                                              

Cliff will be remembered for his incredible “green thumb” – beautiful fuchsias and fabulous gardens, and his laughter, sharp wit and sense of humour.

No service at Cliff’s request, however friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Cliff’s Life onSaturday, September 3, 2016 from 11am – 4pm at 33800 3rd Avenue, Mission.