Benjamin H. Voth

VOTH, Benjamin H.Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Ben Voth, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2010 at the age of 83. The youngest of eight children, Ben was born on August 6, 1926, in Plum Coulee, Manitoba. He moved to Chilliwack in 1945, and married Catherine Unger in 1947. Ben and Catherine lived in Chilliwack, on the same property, for 40 years and spent the last 23 years in Abbotsford. All his life Ben was a builder. He built a successful career as a general contractor and real-estate developer. And he was a leader and a visionary who helped build the credit union movement, locally, provincially and nationally. Having served on the board of directors for Envision Credit Union from its inception in 1954 (38 years as chairman of the board) until he retired in 1996, he was bestowed the title of Chairman Emeritus. In his private life, Ben tinkered in his workshop, constructing things like an articulating-arm light for Catherine's quilting projects and a waffle-baking apparatus that is nothing short of a genius invention. A Vancouver Canucks season-ticket holder since 1968, Ben enjoyed watching hockey, playing golf, travelling, camping, fine dining and the occasional White Spot hamburger. Ben is survived by Catherine, his wife of 63 years; children Don (Elma), Ken (Betty), Lorraine (Don) and Rod (Febe); ten grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and sisters Mary and Margaret. During his last weeks, Ben was tenderly cared for by the staff and volunteers at Christine Morrison Hospice in Mission. In lieu of flowers, please consider making an in-memory gift to Christine Morrison Hospice ( 604.814.5190 ) or the BC Cancer Agency ( 604.877.6040 ). Visitation will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford on Thursday, April 8 from 7 - 9 p.m. A celebration of Ben's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 9th at Northview Church, 32040 Downes Road in Abbotsford. Woodlawn Funeral Home 604-853-2643 www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com