My Brother John!

In Memoriam

Oct. 1940 - Nov. 2020

This week brought to a conclusion the earthly life of my eldest brother, John Andrew Ulrich. His passing is a shock, and I struggle to come to grips with it, or even accept it. He was born on October 23, 1940, and as the first-born son, carried the names of the two grandfathers: Johannes and Anders, although our parents anglicized the names in keeping with their newly adopted country. His life was characterized by unstinting hard work, although he refused to label it such, "If you like what you're doing, it's not work." That was coupled against another of his sayings, "If you're not working, you can't retire!" He did not retire, although the energy sector weakness of the last ten years left him in idleness, and finally led him to think he might not work there again. "All days are good, and some are even better," he usually noted each time we talked, although it was clear to us that not many days were good after the passing of his beloved Marion almost four years ago. Their home and lives were marked by hospitality and generosity. We were frequent beneficiaries of the hospitality, but even more so, their extended families, their community and their congregation know of the open hearts and open hands that greeted every entreaty. We miss him; there is an emptiness as we can no longer anticipate the comfortable reunion in the house on the Okanagan. We look forward to a better reunion. 

God bless all who knew him and now grieve his passing. 

Rest In Peace, brother John.