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 Leonard Earl Bassett 1944-2008 Leonard Earl Bassett was born December 7, 1944 in Fellers Heights BC, the sixth of seven children. His father Harvey brought Hazel and the children to Grandma Ivy’s with the team and cutter for the delivery of the new baby. Glen was sent over the hill to play with Aunt Marion’s kids during the birth, with Uncle Gigs being the one to come and tell him he had a new brother. The next day his Dad went home and began building the kitchen on the front of the old log cabin, using material salvaged from an old building he had torn down, expanding the family home into a two room cabin. Albert and Ivy Fellers homestead later became the home of Steve and Norma Landiak, and Steve had built a barn near the site of the original house. Later when Mom and Dad started dating, he would point out the barn to Mom, and say it was just over there that I was born. It was a longstanding joke between them that he had been “born in a barn.” On March 3rd, 1965, Dad married my Mom, Margo Jennings in Hythe Alberta, and Debbie was born that summer. In 1968 he went to Edmonton for six weeks earning his welding certification. In October 1968, Mom, Dad and Debbie were blessed with the arrival of a beautiful baby boy named Howard. Dad ordered a Lincoln welder and rigged up his new red Ford one ton, starting one of his many business ventures, L. Bassett Welding Ltd. This was later shortened to Len Bassett Ltd. which it remained through the years. Just before Christmas 1969, Dad landed a job as a welder on the construction of the new sawmill in Mackenzie. I can remember him later, telling us how worried he had been going there with no guarantee of a job and no money for Christmas. He was hired by the onsite foreman, and Dad asked him to hire his truck as well. When the foreman balked at it, Dad told him that he didn’t think he could stay on. At lunchtime the foreman sent Dad home to get his truck. After a short time he made enough to buy a small trailer, and between Christmas and New Years, we moved to Mackenzie. In 1970 mom and dad purchased land in Arras, moving the family there, and dad made a living welding for the local farming community. Around this time he purchased a skidder and began his logging career, first working on his own. In 1972 he worked for and then partnered with, Bill Young, in Young’s Mills Ltd. Many memories I have of those years are of going out to the camp at Quality Creek, or Mile Fifty, where his Dad worked as the camp cook. I would like to take this time to apologize to Carl Wolff for eating oatmeal porridge for breakfast, before travelling that winding road to camp! In March of 1973 we adopted Warren into our family, making it complete. In 1974 Dad began building our family home in Arras BC, with Billy Cook working late into the evening of December 24th installing some of the kitchen cupboards so that we could have Christmas dinner in the new house. In the spring of 1979, Dad and Bill had the opportunity to sell out, and took it. He was never afraid of starting something new. Whether it was road construction, custom breaking in the surrounding community pastures, or becoming a logging truck driver when the LP Mill started up, Dad faced every challenge head on and always managed to succeed. Through the years he worked several different jobs, and was always proud of his accomplishments and of his work ethic, and instilled those lessons in us kids. Be proud of what you do and do your best at it. As a kid I always loved to hear Dad talk about his early years, and I remember him telling us with fondness about working on his uncles sawmill. My favorite stories were of the time he worked in the Arctic Circle for Kenn Borek, and his time at the South Peace Stock Farms. In 1995 Mom and Dad started a new chapter of their life, moving to Cranbrook BC, where they owned and operated the Travelers’ Motel. He took an active role in the construction of the Kings Chapel Church and the growth of the budding new church family. He was a respected member of the community, making many new friends and getting involved with the local Métis Association and Wild Turkey Federation. In Cranbrook, he started a sideline business, delivering holiday trailers to dealerships around the country. He travelled all over the United States in 2005, delivering emergency housing to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Dad always loved being outdoors. Camping, fishing, and hunting always brought a smile to his face. A trip to Prince George meant stopping to fish and camp beside the Pine River. It wasn’t until I got my drivers license that I found out you could drive all the way to Prince George in one day! And without a doubt, his favorite day of the year was August 15th. It didn’t matter what was happening, everything came to a halt for the first day of moose season. Our childhood memories are filled with weekends at Swan Lake, One Island Lake, and best of all, weekends in “The Valley!” This was how we always referred to our trips to Uncle Glen’s and Aunty Eva’s. Dad loved to help Glen with the haying and coming down in the spring to help cut and brand the calves, which was always a family event! I can remember Uncle Glen discussing the harvest with Dad, and I asked why was he asking his advice, Dad was a logger not a farmer! Dad loved his family and was always proud of us kids, and his grandchildren’s accomplishments. I used to tease him about how much more patient “Granddad” was than “Dad” was. His grandkids could do no wrong in his eyes, and he was constantly building basket ball hoops, skateboard ramps, and stilts which was something he got a real kick out of watching the kids try and use. Dad past away October 14, 2008 at the age of 63. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. He was predeceased by his father, Harvey, and his brother, Raymond. Leonard leaves to mourn; his wife of 42 years, Margo Bassett; daughter, Debbie and grandson Douglas; son Warren and Leslee, and grandchildren, Shanaya, Halley, Logan and Layne; son Howard and Ruby, and grandsons Morgan and Tristen; mother Hazel Bassett; brother Glen and Eva Bassett; sisters Glenda VanGenne, Theresa Haugen, Irene Bassett, and Cheryl and Les Trost; aunts and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. A Celebration of Life services was held on October 21, 2008 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, officiated by Pastor James Bridges. This eulogy was read and written by Leonard’s son Howard. |
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Dawson Creek: (250) 782-2577 Fort St. John: (250) 785-2872 |
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