Ivan Thrasher

THRASHER, Ivan William Ivan William Thrasher, of Guelph, Ontario, died peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2011 in his 97th year. He is survived by Orpha, his beloved wife of 64 years. Ivan was the loving father of Ruby Trotter (Mark), Ruth Parent (Gary), Rose Barlow (Mike), Jeff Thrasher and Shelley Thrasher. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Bram, Rachel, Matt, Zack, Annie, Ben (Heidi), Claire and Rylee and by his great-granddaughter, Maleah. Ivan truly was their hero and they were very blessed to have him in their lives for such a long time. Ivan was born May 21, 1914 in Amherstburg, Ontario to William and Ruby Thrasher. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1940 and served in the 1st and 2nd Regiment until June 1945. He participated in the Italian campaign and helped to liberate The Netherlands. Ivan returned to Holland with his wife Orpha to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland, where they made dear friends with their hosts Karel and Ada Sipkes of Apeldoorn, Netherlands. He returned to Holland again, for the 60th reunion and the Sipkes came to Canada three times to visit. Ivan had many careers in his 96 years. When he returned from the war, he married Orpha, "the first nice girl he met" in March 1946. They settled in Ruthven, Ontario, built a home and got into turkey farming. Soon he was starting on his next career as a real estate broker. Thrasher Real Estate became a well-known business in Windsor, Ontario. In 1964, Ivan won a seat in the Provincial Legislature, and became the last Tory MPP for Windsor and Essex Counties. After relinquishing his seat in the next election, he soon found his passion in breeding and racing thoroughbred horses, at one time having 40 horses in his stable, "Lucky T Stud." Ivan was a life-long learner and renaissance man. He was an accomplished pianist, took violin lesson in his 80's and taught himself how to repair violins. His Scrabble playing was the stuff of legends.Memorial Services will be held at St. George's Anglican Church, 99 Woolwich St., Guelph, Ontario, on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 11 a.m., and then, also at St. Stephen's Anglican Church (Oldcastle), Windsor (Howard Avenue) on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honour may be made to St. George's Anglican Church Restoration Fund or to St. Stephen's Church (Oldcastle) (cards available at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 519-822-4731 or send condolences to www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com ). We remember Ivan for his passion for health and wellness, his concern for others, his love of family, his songs and his sense of humour. Goodbye Ivan--husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We love you more...