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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
FERRIS, Vernon Clark - Vern to all that knew him, and my father was born on May 13th, 1923 the first and only son of Melba and Walter Ferris in Cypress River Manitoba. He was joined by his only sibling Doreen and they were raised on the family farm, until Vern joined the Navy when he was 17 years old.
Vern lived a full and varied life. His love of the "water" was evident most all of his life. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy during World War Il and was a proud Veteran and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 53 years. He has kept in touch with many of his Navy friends over the years.
When the war was over, Vern joined his parents in the Fraser Valley. He and his Dad bought a box factory and made boxes for all sorts of things. Around this time he met Clara Moffat at the Highway Café. He and Clara had a unique friendship, and she in turn had other ideas. She had a beautiful daughter that she thought was the perfect match for this ex Navy man, and she commenced to "matchmake". Well needless to say Vern met and married the woman, who became the love of his life and his best friend Jacqueline Clara Moffat a union of close to 50 years.
Vern and Jacquie settled in Vancouver, where Jacquie had a dress designing ladies wear business. Vern sold Northumbria Sterling Silver by appointment. Along came their firstborn, Alan, and the business closed and the young couple moved to Prince George and Terrace to seek their fortune in trucking, Vern drove and owned 3 gravel trucks with the coveted "G" plate!
Eventually they joined Jacquie's parents and came to Fort St. John to help out with the Fort Hotel. Vern, always the entrepreneur, soon decided to open the first Men's Wear Store and Vern's Men's Wear was established. Linda and I soon joined the family.
Always an astute businessman, Vern and Jacquie became very involved in their new community. He was one of the driving forces to bring Senior A Hockey to Fort St. John and founding member of the Fort St. John Flyers. He also became Commissioner of the South Peace Hockey League. Before turning to helping out with the formation of the Junior A Golden Hawks hockey team. Vern, extremely proud of the birth of his final child, Jayne, brought the whole Fort St. John Flyers hockey team to the hospital to see this miracle, 35 years to the day he passed away.
Not that sports was the driving force behind him, community service played a big part of his life. Vern was a member of the Elks, the Royal Canadian Legion and worked diligently and became the First Governor of the Lion's International from a northern community. Vern and Jacquie were chartered Members of St. Lukes United Church and Vern helped build the first United Church in Fort St. John.
Vern was renowned for his "iron" handshake! Business was even completed over a handshake, like his deals with HRY, Harry Yahey, the native who would come in in the spring wanting a new cowboy hat, and come back and pay for it in the fall! Vern's store was a community stopping place for the "grapevine". He knew and cared for all!
He was extremely proud of his family and always made sure of "holiday" time, whether we were camping or visiting relatives. Always a ritual was the stop at the top of the Peace Hills, where he would get out, slam his fists to his chest, and say, Smell that air...hmmm Love that Peace River air! He worked diligently on the properties at Charlie Lake, but the most fun and relaxation for him was the boat rides, oh how he loved to drive "fast" boats, even winning a trophy once for having the fastest boat on the lake! He passed on his love of the water to all his children, and now his beloved grandchildren. He was a patient teacher of water skiing, not that we ever seen him do it! The devotion of the family pets was remarkable as you all probably know from meeting "Skipper".
The ritual Sunday drives of the family always involved his love of nature and wild game bird hunting. Willingly teaching each of us to shoot his guns! As well he used this time to teach us the lessons of life - Some we thought we knew and some he thought we should.
Retirement came early for Vern and Jacquie and they moved to Westbank, 18 years ago, to a quieter life. Vern was adamant to take advantage of Okangan Lake, and he loved their house on the Cay, where he kept his boat. Visitors and family were always welcome, and he was extremely proud of his fruit trees and gardens. He had such good intentions for the love of his grandchildren, he decided he plant a tree for each of them in his yard, until 10 and behold there became far too many of them, so instead he claimed there was a tree for each of the families.
Their retirement afforded them the time to spend time motorhoming and wintering in Yuma, Arizona. Vern especially enjoyed the social activities of the parks and the many friends they made in their travels.
We will all miss his unique sense of humour and the chase on April Fool's day, was one way he got us all! To his beloved grandchildren he would want you all to "follow your dreams" and reach for the sky, because as far as he was concerned there were no limits for you all.
Asked recently if there was anything he had left to do, he replied "No. I've done it all".
Ships served in: HMCS CHIPPAWA Enlisted in the RCNVR 10 Oct 1942 * Commenced active service 29 Nov 1942 HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 31 Jun 1943 HMCS CHIPPAWA - Divisional Strength 23 May 1943 - 25 Jul 1943 * Returned to active service 26 Jul 1943 HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 26 Jul 1943 * Rated (promoted) to Cook (S) HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 29 Jan 1944 HMCS NIOBE - Drafted to NIOBE 05 Mar 1944 HMCS CHAUDIERE - Drafted to CHAUDIERE 25 May 1944 * Rated Leading Cook (S) 10 Oct 1944 HMCS PEREGRINE - Drafted to PEREGRINE 24 Mar 1945 HMCS BRANDON - Drafted to BRANDON 30 Mar 1945 HMCS PEREGRINE - Drafted to PEREGRINE 19 Jun 1945 HMCS PORTAGE - Drafted to PORTAGE 25 Jun 1945 HMCS PEREGRINE - Drafted to PEREGRINE 20 Jul 1945 HMCS CHIPPAWA - Drafted to CHIPPAWA 26 Jul 1945 HMCS DISCOVERY - Drafted to DISCOVERY 07 Dec 1945 * Demobilized 04 Feb 1946 as a Leading Cook (S)
(VCF001) Portrait of Leading Cook (S) Vernon Ferris (VCF002) Certificate of Service for Vernon Ferris
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