William Frank Cowburn
Born to Albert and Gladys on December 7th, 1930 in Medicine Hat Alberta. Bill was born into a railroading family as his father finished his career as Superintendent, Canyon Division of the Canadian Pacific Railroad.
As a young man, Bill worked as a fireman on the steam locomotives leaving to join the Navy in 1953. He served 3 years and returned to the railroad, eventually settling in Cranbrook, BC. He moved to Kitimat with his young family in the spring of 1972 where he worked for Eurocan Pulp & Paper. He spent many years involved with the union. Bill retired to Surrey, BC in 1995. Always the champion of the working man, in 2004, he waged a mighty battle against the Worker's Compensation Board of BC. His case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada where he won compensation for his asbestos-related illness.
Bill lost his battle with asbestosis on Friday, November 28th at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
He is survived by his son Bert, daughter Kim (John) and his grandson Landon. He also leaves behind his faithful dachshunds Snoopy and Simba. No service by request,
his ashes will be sprinkled in the Pacific Ocean sometime next spring. Donations may be made to the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation or the BC Lung Association.
Bert and Kim wish to extend their sincerest appreciation to the staff on 3 West and 41North.
Special thanks to Cheryl, Karen and
Carol for their outstanding
compassion and care.