August 25, 1933 - July 20, 2024

In loving memory ~

Mervin Passed on July 20th, 2024; by his side, his life-long partner and wife Annie (Alice) Sandulak. Merv was 90 years of age. Cancer can often take the lives of many loved ones and perhaps it was Merv's time.

Merv grew up in Southern Saskatchewan on a farm just south of Calder; he was one of nine children (four boys & five girls). Merv was a hardworking and ambitious man and strong too. Farming was never easy work during the 30s & 40s.

It was tough to make a good living at farming, so Merv ventured out in different provinces working in logging with his dad, oil and gas (drilling), potash mining, pulp & paper, road and bridge building, mechanic and a few other occupations. Merv was talented at many things...He was even self taught in music which involved playing the accordion, fiddle, guitar and harmonica. He joined a band which toured several prairie provinces on weekends playing good ole foot stomping, swinging dance music....

In 1955, Merv bought a new Plymouth and headed for the West Coast rough; his first job was necking and drilling in Mackenzie valley. Also, around this time, West Union was gaining traction. And so, this was the incentive for Merv to move to the west coast Vancouver Island. He quickly got a job with Mac & Bloedel near Campbell River. And in the fall of 1955, Merv was hired as a heavy-duty mechanic...Also, during this time Merv was involved with one of the falling crews in the Buttle Lake Valley before the valley it was flooded for the hydro dam; but his employer always knew Merv's talent in operating equipment. A lot of big wood came out of the Buttle Lake Valley back then.

The Operating Engineers Union sparked another interest with Merv. Elk falls Construction (BC Bridge) needed help and they offered him a job as an equipment operator.

In 1956, Merv brought his wife Annie (Alice) out to Vancouver Island, Campbell River. Alice and Merv were married in a small Anglican church in Courtenay 67 years ago. Alice worked in a restaurant in Campbell River also.

It was not long after this time, Merv was employed with Crown Zellerbach as a mechanic and equipment operator. Jobs seemed plentiful then days. And soon Merv got a job in the Campbell River pulp mill; there wasn't one machine or piece of equipment which Merv could not operate in that mill.

By this time, Mervin and Alice saved enough money to buy a small acreage with a house in the Headquarters town site near Merville. The cost of this farm $850. In 1957 that was all their savings. On this farm, Mervin and Alice raised six children: Debbie, Beverly, Rodney & Bernie, Kenny and Donnie. It was a great house and farm; which provided hard work but many rewards too.

Merv seemed to have no shortage of things to do with the family and work around the farm. Merv was always a hard-working man, and when he wasn't at work or working on the farm. He loved his fishing, hunting and camping too; and any chance Merv would be in the woods or on the water. Even on Merv's days off, he would be on the ocean jigging cod or trolling for salmon, crabbing and prawn fishing too. With a family of eight, there was no shortage of fish. And any extra fish caught was sold to the local fish markets and George's Food bar. With six kids, Merv had to buy a bigger boat; you might have seen his boat on the water, purple and white; there only 2 were made of this color.

Merv worked at the Campbell River Pulp mill until retirement (59 yrs) in 1985. It was around this time; all the children had moved off the farm and Mervin and Alice purchased a house and property just North of Courtenay.

Mervin and Alice and with family in tow, the passion of retirement life opened doors to plenty of traveling throughout Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and the prairie provinces. There were even a few tours North throughout British Columbia, the Yukon, Alaska, and across Canada and through-out the USA.

Merv was a great outdoorsman and moose hunter. When the chill was in the air and the leaves started to crackle and turn color, the fall winds of the North would call Merv. "Got-ta-get-me-moose-boys". Every year moose hunting was important, there was plenty of hamburger and sausage to make. Merv and the twin boys often go moose hunting and they would each harvest a moose. And as I write this, I personally don't think I have ever known a mightier and more successful moose hunter that Merv our father. It seemed like everyone wanted to go moose hunting with Merv. I know that it would be a thick book of adventurous stories by itself, not to mention all the stories of camping and fishing adventures. Adventures with his family was always a priority.

Merv loved his blueberries; ah yes, this was a story in itself. Merv grew and harvested about 100 lbs of blue berries every season and he ate most of them too. Not too many people were invited to pick Merv's blue berries.

Even at 85 years old, Mervin still worked hard doing odd jobs, home improvement and cutting firewood. The work never ended it seemed, as Merv would say..."there is always something to do".

And now Merv's presence and footsteps still warms our soles as well as the memories. Merv is survived by his loving wife Alice who held his hand when he passed peacefully. There are also 3 children, Beverly, Bernie, and Donnie.

And so...If you ever meet Merv...

He could be Hunting or Gone Fishing

If someone should ask for me,

Tell them, I'm out on the water

Or

I could be in the woods

I've finished all my life's chores

And now I'm somewhere on an adventure

The air is clean and crisp here

And the fishing couldn't be better

The Red Snappers are big this year

I take with me

the memories of family and friends

Many who shared a life time with me

I will wait for you on the shores side

The campfire warms my feet

And the coffee pot is hot

Oh yah, and the grouse stew is delicious

I make a great stew

And so to all my family and friends

Join me when you are ready

And bring some blueberries too

They are my favorite

Hey, if the fish are not biting

Or

The Moose are still in the bushes

You'll find me sitting next to the campfire

Eating crab and prawn

And maybe a few pacific oysters

Sharing stories with my friends and family

The waters are calm

And the moose are calling

This is Merv's way