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Tremain,

From day one you treated me like a son, you were a father to me. When I first met you I remember coming over to the mainland, I was super nervous to meet “Talias parents” however you made me feel instantly at home, you were extremely kind welcoming me into the family, it felt like you took me under your wing. It was not long after that we became best friends, I remember talking to you on the phone at work and a co worker asked me who I was talking to, and i replied I was talking to my father in law, he replied “oh it sounded like you were talking to your best friend….”. I instantly replied I was….. the bond we had is not common it was special. Any time I was in doubt I would pick up the phone and call you, these calls most of the time lasted hours, you always were ready to share your wisdom and your guidance. I could always count on you giving your honest opinion. You shared your honest opinion even if it was turkey dinner was a bit dry. I loved that about you. You always told it, how it was.

I felt like I could always make you laugh even if you were feeling down, I’m thankful for the time we spent together as I know you cherished it as much as I did.

I know we had many talks in the past, some of them in the ER while the girls had a pee break, but from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for raising such a beautiful family and welcoming me into it. Thank you for raising the girls the way you did, showing them the love you showed them and the sacrifices you made to give them the life they deserve.

The memories are abundant from Christmases together watching football, to going out for our favorite meals with the family but I’ll never forget the most fond memory of the time you took me for a cruise in the Charger, we went all over white rock just listening to the sound of the engine sharing the love of cars together.

You always told me make sure to make memories that’s the most important thing. These are the memories I hold close to my heart.

Dad no one will ever be able to replace you, but I will try my best to make you proud and look after the girls the way you did❤️

Goodbyes are not for ever, they are not the end…it simply means I’ll miss you until me meet again….

Until we meet again I miss you and I love you 💔❤️

Nita and my Mom Elsie were cousins so it was inevitable that, despite the distance of two countries, I would get to know Tremain. I know we met out at his grandparent’s farm in Willingdon, but I was so young, I don’t have a clear memory of it other than the 8mm movies my Dad took. Then came the summer of 1968, best summer ever! It was nonstop fun. Just being kids, doing kid things, without a care in the world.
We met up with Tremain in Exshaw. We stayed with Ernie, Lorraine, Terry and Tammy. My sisters Valorie and Mary Ann, Tremain, Tammy, and I practically lived at the mountain stream that ran through Exshaw. We would spend hours crossing back and forth on the rocks, throwing in the biggest boulders we could lift, if needed for us to get across without getting our shoes wet. Launching sticks or a piece of bark made into a makeshift boat, and then following it down the rocky rapids of the stream. One day we followed the stream to a big dam. When we climbed to the top, the rocky bank widened and the stream seemed to go on forever. We wondered where the source was, but did not follow it any further. I’m thinking now, we could have got ate by a bear.
After Exshaw, we went to Calgary and somehow ended up staying a week with Nita’s sister Helen, Billy and Rae. The adults went back to Edmonton. Tremain, my sisters and I took fun to the next level. Days of going bowling, going to the planetariums, to the University, and seeing the city, then navigating the bus system back to Helen’s home. There was an abundance of trees full of red berries along the sidewalks. More sooner than later, one of us would sneakily snatch a few red berries off of a tree and then smash them on each other (our Mom’s worst laundry nightmare). When we got back to Helen’s, we would play the board game Clue until 4 or 5 in the morning. Then sleep a few hours and off to do it all again. At the end of the week, we took the bus to Edmonton. Tremain, my sisters, and I spent the days out and about in my Granny Mary’s neighborhood. Out goofing around with a little bit of mischief mixed in. Wandering up and down the streets lined with rows of those magical bottle dash houses. And yes, there was an abundance of red berry trees.
Our family traveled to Prince George in the 70’s to see Tremain and family and he made some visits to the States over the years. We were able to catch up in Vancouver in the early 80’s. Then we just sort of journeyed on our paths of life. I’m thankful we reconnected with him & Diane on their trip to the states in 2015. After that, we stayed in-touch with phone conversations and in social media. But it was that summer of 1968 that cemented our friendship. And after that summer, I knew in my heart, that Tremain would go on to make the best of his life. A life which unfolded into finding the love of his life, Diane; into having two beautiful daughters, Natalka and Talia; into embarking, as a family, to live and experience the diversity and cultures of the world. I admired Tremain’s environmental work in the world. And he had an artist’s eye, in his outstanding photography. I especially loved the portraits of his dogs, the faithful furry companions, who had become cherished members of his family.
I was hoping in my retirement, to get out to visit with him & his family. Just to sit across a table, together in person, and revisit those grand days of our childhood. And perhaps, maybe, to have played Clue all night. I am blessed to have known Tremain. I will forever miss him. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to Diane, Natalka, Talia, Troy and Brandon.

When I first met Tremain, he welcomed me into his family with open arms. From the very beginning, he made me feel like I belonged.

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't get more time with him. I often find myself wishing I had met Natalka sooner because I feel like I missed out on so many years of getting to know such an incredible man. In the time I did have with him though, it didn't take long to see the kind of person he was.

Tremain was smart, wise, welcoming, and always ready with a little chirp about my favorite football team. He had a way of reminding people about what truly mattered in life. He encouraged making memories, spending time with the people you love, and seeing the world. He was always willing to share advice about places to travel, lessons he had learned, and perspectives that only come from a life well lived.

One memory that I will always carry with me happened while Natalka was away in Disneyland with her best friend. I called Tremain and Diane, incredibly nervous about what I was about to ask. When they answered, they immediately thought something had happened with the dogs I was watching while Natalka was away.

Thankfully that was not the case, Instead I was calling to ask for both their blessings to marry his daughter. The first thing he said was, “Hmm... old school, calling and asking.” Then, without hesitation, you gave me your blessing.
That moment meant the world to me. From that day forward, I truly felt welcomed into the amazing family that he and Diane had built together. It wasn't just that he said yes, it was the way he said it, with kindness, trust, and confidence. It was one of the greatest gifts he could have given me.

I wish I had more time with you. More time to listen to your wisdom, to learn from your experiences, to ask for advice, and to seek guidance on how to best care for Natalka and the family. But even though I don't get that time, I carry with me the lessons he taught. He showed that family comes first, that memories are meant to be made, and that the most important things in life cannot be measured by what we own, but by the people we love.

Tremain, I want you to know that I will do my very best to take care of this family. You can rest peacefully knowing that I will love, support, and protect your daughter and the family you built. I promise to do whatever is needed, just as you always did.
Thank you for welcoming me into your family. Thank you for your trust, your wisdom, your humor, and your example.

You will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Love Brandon

My dear friend Tremain,

You will be missed by many. You were such a kind, compassionate and caring individual.

In my 25 years of knowing you we had many thoughtful and in depth conversations, and your commitment to leaving the world a better place will never be forgotten.

However nothing will match the love you have for your family, Dianne, Natalka, Talia, Troy and Brandon. So many of our conversations were about taking care of them while you were here, and when you were gone.

You are truly one of the most honorable men I have ever met.

You will never be forgotten.

Sincerely

Paul McMillan

It is with deep sadness that I learned of Tremain's passing .I had the wonderful experience of growing up and playing together with my first cousin - Tremain . We were close in age - 3 years apart so we made ideal playmates. My fondest memories of Tremain are from this childhood period - we were adventurous , perhaps even naughty as no adventure was too small or too big for us.

As kids I could see developing in Tremain wonderful qualities such as kindness , caring for others and an attraction to the animal kingdom. I will never forget his first dog - Alvin.. what an awesome dog ! Alvin was a retriever , we spent many hours playing fetch with Alvin . Tremain would throw the ball and we would watch Alvin jump 3 feet in the air to spot where the ball was going to land. I think our time with Alvin developed in Tremain an acute sense and affection for dogs . As the saying goes a Dog is a man's best friend.

In our childhood adventures Tremain and I climbed the tall trees on the farm so we could get a view of the town of Willingdon off in the distance . We never gave much thought to the inherent danger of falling out of a tree and the potential for bodly injury during our growing years. We considered ourselves as young and invincble - nothing bad would ever happen to us. We were constantly challenging things, they became oportunities not deterrents. I admired Tremain for his strength and courage a quality he developed at a very earky age.

As kids growing up togeither I looked forward to every summer as it meant playtime with Tremain either in Edmonton,Calagry, the farm - Willingdon, Munfare and Prince George. I have fond memories of Tremain coming down to Calaary to visit . We travelled onto Banff and Lake Louise to explore the Rocky Mountains . While in town we became Cowboys and attended the Calgary Stampede. When we were out at the farm or in the town of Mundare enjoying extended family and friends . We would go to the Basilian religious shrine called "The Grotto". - it was a cavernous shrine full of tunnels and small alcoves with statues of The Blessed Virgin Mary , in these alcoves we would as kids - play the 'game of hide and seek.'.

It was our grand parents farm in Willingdon that was a main stay - for us. It wa our playground of farm machinery and animals . On the animal side were pigs , chickens , cows ,horses and an assortment of farm cats. On the machinery side of our farm play objects were a tractor , combine-harvester and an old abandoned car .... Cira 1950's .Tremain and I spent many hours driving this car - we used our imagination and travelled the world in it visiting many exotic places, even though the car never moved an inch. .It became one of our many farm play toys for our enjoyment and amusement.

I have other fond memories of road trips with Tremain and his Mom and Dad (Nita and Pete)- we travelled throughout British Columbia and Washington State to visit Pete's relatives in Seattle (Mary and Don and Mildred) I recall the funTremain and I had on the monorail ride and trip up to the top of the iconic Space Needle in Seattle..

As Tremain might say those were halycon days and times - wonderful childhood experiences.

As in many cases in life over time we went our own ways and pursued our goals and ambitions . I admired Tremain as an adult he was loving and caring of family. I recall him and Nita visiting to attend my mom's funeral. Tremain and his mom were very loving and suporting as my mom had just past on from a 6 year struggle with Alzheimer's I also recall Tremain visiting the farm , Willingdon and Mundare plus Edmonton with Dianne to show his children -Natalka and Talia his family roots.

When I heard of Tremain's passing I felt as though a part of who I was as a person, my childhood and early experiences had slipped away forever.

It is now with a heavy heart that I say "Goodbye" - Tremain may God Bless you and may you rest in peace.

In a Kuala Lumpur Hotel lobby, in November '89, Jimmy & Tremain (henceforth TT) met. TT quizzed Jimmy about life in his BC Government Investment Branch, for which Jimmy was hiring. At the conclusion of his interview of Jimmy, TT said he'd be applying, to which Jimmy relayed the bad news, TT would have to get up early for a phone interview. He did. He got the job (just like any other job he set his mind on) and brought a breath of private sector air to a branch hitherto populated by long term public servants.

Of course, he couldn't last, and didn't, as his expressive challenging of the status quo didn't jibe with a bureaucracy. He was way too entrepreneurial for that environment, and his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom rankled with some. Why do you think I hired him? For precisely those reasons! TT & Jimmy were too similar in outlook not to become great friends.
And we did, for nearly 40 years, until his recent passing, on which we grieve along with you.

One of the unique aspects of our friendship was that, aside from Vancouver & Toronto, we never seemed to meet twice in the same city: KL, Perth WA, Paris, New York, and we're sure there were others.

A true friend, was TT, but he never forgot where his first loyalties lay - with his family. This was brought home to us on one occasion, where he was working on the Eastern Seaboard, and in a stressful situation, worsened by his girls being in BC. He looked, and felt terrible, and, on hearing more about his position, we told him, in no uncertain terms, to remove himself from that situation and go home to his family. Thankfully, he took our advice.

Aside from that sole occasion, he was ebullient, optimistic, learned, smart, free with an opinion, and a loyal and generous friend. We, and many others across the globe, will miss him, and we will not see his like again.

I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Tremain. He was someone who left a lasting impression on me—not only through the way he lived, but through the quiet strength of the values he carried so naturally.

Tremain taught me so much about family loyalty. In many ways, he set the standard for what it truly means to care for and stand by your family. His devotion was steady and sincere, and it is something I will always hold close to my heart. He was a nurturing and intelligent soul, generous with his time and love.

His devotion to his girls was unmistakable—Nita, Diane, Natalka, and Natalia were the center of his world, and he loved them fiercely and without hesitation. That kind of love is enduring, and it lives on as part of his legacy.

I will always treasure a memory from when I was very young, visiting from Calgary. Tremain felt it was important that I experience the ocean. With the tide far out, he carried me across the beach so I could place my toes in the water. It was such a simple, thoughtful act, but to me it felt magical—and it speaks so clearly to the kind of person he was, always thinking of others and wanting to give them something meaningful.

He will be remembered for his kindness, and the beautiful example he set for all of us fortunate enough to know him.

I will remember Tremain as a loving son, devoted husband, and proud father who found great joy in the beautiful women I saw him nurture throughout his life: Nita, Diane, Natalka and Talia. It was apparent he loved his family deeply, and showed it by providing, protecting, and creating opportunities for growth and exploration, while ensuring a solid family unit and soft place for everyone to land.

I admired Tremain’s scholastic achievements, entrepreneurial sprit and business smarts. He was always kind and welcoming to my family and me. We will miss him dearly.

With love,
Sarah

Losing my father is one of the hardest things I have ever had to comprehend and learn to live with. Coming to terms with the fact that you are no longer just a visit or phone call away — no longer there for a hug, a conversation, or the steady, thoughtful life advice you always so willingly gave — is a pain that is difficult to put into words.

Everyone who knew you admired your outlook on life, your accomplishments, and the wisdom you carried throughout the years. You taught me so much about life and how I want to live my own: to embrace opportunities, take chances, and never let fear hold me back. You were always there to guide me through some of the biggest decisions in my life, and I am forever grateful that I got to have you by my side through them all. I will always cherish that.

You always did everything you could for Mom and for us, making sure we were cared for, never had to worry, and were always surrounded by love. All of the sacrifices you made to give me a better life are among the greatest gifts a father can give his daughter. Because of you, I was given such a beautiful life and the ability to live out so many of my dreams.
Growing up, I will forever be grateful for the countless experiences you gave us, for the years of travel, and for the opportunity to see so much of the world — experiences many people only dream of having. You gave me everything a daughter could ever ask for in a father: strength, unwavering support, and a life filled with love, adventure, and guidance.

You always encouraged me to believe in myself, challenge my limits, and pursue the life I dreamed of. I will carry your spirit with me throughout my life and continue making you proud, knowing you will always be looking down and watching over me.
Until the day we can meet again 🤍♥️

How do you summarize a lifetime of love and everything someone meant to you in just a few words?
I can’t. Nothing feels like enough.

Dad,

Thank you for being the incredible father you were to us girls. No words could truly express how grateful I am for everything you sacrificed to give our family the life we had — the travel, the experiences, the adventures, the education, and the opportunities. You gave us everything.
No matter where in the world you, or we were, you were always there for us. You made sure you knew what was happening in our lives, even as we grew into adulthood. You were present in every way that mattered. Thank you for loving us so deeply, for being so involved, and for teaching us that family is everything.

When I think back on our memories together, there are countless moments I hold so deeply in my heart.
I think of our time in Malaysia - roti breakfasts, evenings at the pasar malam, and swimming in the pool every night when you got home from work. I think about the floor hockey tournaments in Phuket, and later, our trip back there together — finding our favourite little restaurant along the beach with the green Thai curry and Tom Yum pizzas. I’ll always remember getting my first tattoo there too, a permanent reminder of always being your little princess in Mandarin.
I think about our family time in Paris while you completed your third master’s degree, and then later, when you stayed to help me settle into my university life there. I think about visiting you in Boston, watching a Bruins playoff game together and how you always joked that you regretted not taking me to a Canadiens game first — and then touring Fenway Park and downtown Boston.
I think about driving through California with my questionable navigation skills, listening to San Onofre on repeat, taking the trips to Disneyland and somehow convincing me to go on the Tower of Terror.
These are the moments that will stay with me forever — the adventures, the laughter, and simply the quality time spent with you.

My intense love for football came from you and your love of the game and the Vikings. Some of my favourite memories are the football seasons we shared together, watching the Vikings play and texting each other at the same time about how frustrated we were with the team, discussing the games, players, trades, and my potential fantasy team lineups.
It’s hard to imagine any football season without you now. It will never feel the same without sharing those moments, those conversations, and that bond with you.

I am so incredibly grateful that you were able to walk me down the aisle. Having you there beside me, holding my hand as you walked me toward my forever meant more to me than words could ever express.
As a little girl, I dreamed of that moment for so many years, and I cannot imagine my wedding day without you being part of it. It is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Being a daddy’s girl, when I was little, whenever you had to go away for work I would cry and cry for you. I still am now.
My heart is broken from losing you, and I am scared of what life will look like without you in it. I know you’ve given me all of the advice, love and tools I need to be okay, but there is such an emptiness not having you there to guide me - even if I didn’t always want to hear it at the time. You were so wise and incredibly intelligent.

I promise to keep living life and making you proud of the woman I have become. I know you’ll always be watching over us. Keep sending those little signs, I notice them all and through them, I still feel you with me.

You worked so hard your entire life to take care of all of us and give us everything we could ever need. Now it’s finally your time to rest, we’ll take it from here.

I love you and miss you more than words could ever express, Daddy.

Your little princess forever,
Natalka

What I write in words is not going to do justice to what I feel in my heart and soul about my life with Tremain and the deep sense of loss I have with his passing.

Tremain, you are my soulmate whom I love deeply. I am heartbroken that our earthly journey together is not continuing. I miss you so much already. You were always there for me with love, big hugs, support and encouragement, believing in me when I doubted myself.
You were a great father to our two beautiful daughters, providing them with a loving home and always being there for them through both the good and difficult times in their lives. Your family meant everything to you and we all felt that love.

We had so many great adventures and life experiences together filled with love and laughter. In our younger days we played on the same mixed soccer team during the summertime, hiked local mountains and the Forbidden Plateau on Vancouver Island, biked local trails and went to numerous concerts. We even travelled to London, England to see Texas and to Montreal to see The Fixx.
Our numerous travels hold so many cherished memories. We had so much fun backpacking around Europe, visiting numerous South East Asian countries and Australia. We got engaged in Kiev which was extra meaningful because of your family roots to Ukraine. Paris, with its wonderful food, markets, sites and people, always held a special place in our hearts. When I eat steak and frites I will think of our family’s visit to Le Relais de L'Entrecôte. Magnifique!

Your love of dogs was infectious and, because of this, our family was blessed with many beautiful, loving dogs through the years. You showed me the love, loyalty and companionship a dog can give and I am so grateful for this because it opened up my heart even more to love and I became an avid Dog Mom. You gave Ollie as your last precious gift to me, to love and protect me. This sweet boy certainly is; he is always by my side just like you were.

I know you are now free of pain and playing with all our dogs. Until we meet again know that a piece of my heart has gone with you. As Justin Hayward from the Moody Blues aptly sings “My life will be forever autumn, now you’re not here.”

Love you forever.
Diane