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August 8, 1928 - January 13, 2021
In Loving Memory ~ Bert Ljungh passed peacefully after a short illness due to an infection, at 4:30 am Jan 13th, 2021. He was 92 years old.
Bert was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan and lived in Radville, Saskatchewan. He grew up in Winnipeg and attended St. Paul's Boys' College, often going out to a friend's home at the Lake of the Woods in the summers. At 15, he moved out to the west coast and joined his Mother in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver.
Growing up, the son of CBC Producer, Esse Ljungh, Bert learned a lot of the tools of the radio biz, first hand, from one on the best. Bert met the Vancouver radio crowd and got on as a casual at CFUN. Rusty (his future wife, Rosaline), was working at Ward Music as a salesperson. After a year, she moved over to CFUN. A year later, they were married at United Church on Burrard in downtown Vancouver, but went north to Prince Rupert to Rusty's family home for the party. Dad loved the North, it's beauty and vast wilderness.
Bert got on as a deck hand on our Uncle Nick's boat, The Sunnfjord, and tried his hand at commercial fishing. Karen ('Kiki') arrived in April of 1958. Two years later Dad left the water and came home.
He was always very musical and began sharing that with Kiki at an early age. He had a brief stint at selling cars, where he met his life-long friend Ralph Overgaard. He soon moved on, as he found a job selling suits at Don's Mens wear in Prince Rupert. He had heard there was going to be a Radio Station going in at Terrace, so he was hoping to be a part of that.
Bert would get on at CFTK and managed the Terrace Don's Men's Wear store next to the radio station and was known to run from Don's, to get on the air, in time for the news. He had a late night jazz show on the air, which was right up his alley, as he really knew Jazz music.
Some time after joining CFTK, Bert began his legacy of being 'The Voice' of the November 11th Remembrance Day ceremony in Terrace. He also was a Kinsmen member and called Bingo on the community channel when it was televised. He loved to curl and played for many years, making more lifelong friends.
A few years after Rusty had entered her long career at Real Estate, Bert followed and got his 5 year accreditation. After leaving the Real Estate business, he was the building manager for the Okanagan Skeena Group.
All the while, Bert played wonderful jazz guitar for many decades in the Mothballs band. He had a natural knack for music and was a mentor to his 4 kids, Karin, Mark, Jim and Lisa.
He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing and going for picnics. Many Sundays, the family would go to Kleanza Creek, just for a barbecue. He was known for great parties and good times with good friends and a lot of good food. There could have also been a Swedish toast or two on those memorable evenings, culminating with a shot of Aquavit and a piece of pickled Herring.
Long story short.... "Helan går" Rest in Peace Bert
Bert is survived by his wife Rusty, children Mark, Jim (Maxine) and Lisa Kirkaldy (Chris), 10 grandchildren Garrett, Nastassia, Adam, Sam, Kara, Mariah, Morgan, Saydee, Sophee and Emilee and 2 Great Grandchildren Orest and Claya.

Dad and Karin had a wonderful and special relationship between them, Karin being the eldest and Dad's first child that he could nurture to enjoy the love of music. They shared a lot of great jazz and blues music together and many hours were spent in the family living room, discovering albums they would forever cherish as classics.
They also had a love for horses and Dad taught Karin a lot about riding and care. They would have many rewarding days in the riding arena as well, Dad being the announcer at gymkhanas, while Karin competed riding her half Arab Kai.
The family would like thank all of those who sent condolences, flowers and support throughout this very difficult time. A memorial will be held for Bert and Karin when restrictions allow.
Also, a wonderful surprise has been initiated by a local music lover, and with the help of one of the city's counsellors, look for an honourary bench to be placed in George Little park (with a view of the stage), for Bert and Karin, this spring.


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