Lionel Victor KRESFELDER

1931 - 2016

KRESFELDER, Lionel Victor: March 18, 1931 - February 7, 2016. Lionel lived a rich and full life. He was born in Umtali, Southern Rhodesia, but moved with his family to Northern Rhodesia when he was four. He had four older siblings, Ken, Clive, Evelyn and Ivan. As a boy in N. Rhodesia, Lionel loved to go fishing and hunting with his father. Later, as a father himself, he carried on the same traditions with his sons. At age 17 he began his electrical apprenticeship. He worked as an industrial electrician and maintenance planner in Chingola, Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and later in Canada. He was proud to be called a "Sparky." Lionel married Yvonne, his first love, when he was only 20. They loved parenthood. Lesley was his princess, and Gavin and Barry, his cherished boys. He and Yvonne and the kids often went off into the African bush on picnics. The whole family became ardent conservationists. His children remember with fondness too, their family holidays at the seaside in Margate, South Africa. As a sports enthusiast, Lionel taught his children to swim and also trained them for local competitions. Lionel played soccer, squash, field hockey and later golf, always with a competitive zeal. The family moved to Canada in 1977. Yvonne predeceased him in 1979 in Elkford, BC. And his much loved eldest son, Gavin, in 2010 in South Africa. Lionel is survived by his daughter Lesley (Paul) in New Westminster and his son Barry in Florida, USA. He will also be missed by his brother Ivan (Irene) in South Africa and nieces and nephews in Canada, Europe, and South Africa. Lionel is survived by Maureen, his wife of 35 years. She was his darling. Lionel and Maureen retired to Osoyoos from Abbotsford in 1997. There Lionel golfed with the guys, hiked the Osoyoos hills, cycled and continued his photography. Every year or so Maureen and Lionel travelled to Europe, South Africa or Florida. In South Africa they stayed with Gavin and his wife Marena, and his granddaughters, Tina and Kim. He bragged unashamedly about them: "Did you know that my granddaughters have five degrees between them and that we have a Doctor in the family?" he'd tell any new acquaintance. A favourite song of Lionel's was Sunshine on My Shoulders. The sun was never too hot for him and he flourished in it. His friends called him a gentleman, a nice guy. He was a quiet, soft-spoken man but vociferous when protecting or defending family or friends. Although usually a calm golfer he once had a fiery discourse with his golf club. There's a tree on the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club which can attest to that. And Lionel was known on the OGCC as the default "snake man." He would carefully lift and carry off rattlers or bull snakes with an iron and deposit them well out of golf course bounds. During the last few years Lionel struggled to keep moving, first with a cane, then a walker and finally with a wheelchair. Though his world became smaller he still got out and about with Maureen in Penticton (where they moved in 2014). He and Maureen were grateful for the staff of Trinity Centre where he resided since last July. Their kindness, care and compassion helped ease his life at Trinity. Shortly after the silver clock appeared to him he made his journey into the light. Thank you to Dr. Paisley who always had time for him and listened and inevitably made him feel better. His family and friends will forever carry him in their hearts. The family will gather in the sunny, hot days of summer to say goodbye. Hamba Kale, Lionel. We love you.