Skip to content

OLE ARTHUR (Weslie) GILBERTSON

December 7, 2003

passed away suddenly at Fraser Hope Lodge in Hope, B.C., December 7th, 2003 at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife Helen, four of his five children, Carolyn (Gibson), Gus (deceased Sept 2nd, 1976), Judith (Cookman), Ole Jr. and Marion (Broome), four grandchildren, one great grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Ole was born in Camrose, Alberta in 1922, had three older sisters, Isabel, Eleanor and Blanche and three older brothers, Donald, George and still living Gene.

Ole grew up and worked in the mines around Camrose & Slocan before enlisting as a LAC in the Royal Canadian Air Force on January 6th, 1942, serving in Canada and Europe. After his Honourable discharge in October 17th, 1945, he served a term with the Merchant Marines in East Africa. For his service he received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, Defence Medal and the War Medal. While overseas he learned conversational French, German, Russian, Polish and spoke Norwegian fluently.

After the war, he spent time in Eastern Canada before returning home to marry Helen Gray of Salmo in 1949. During his working life he was involved in the construction of the Alcan Smelter in Kitimat, Columbia Power and Peace Power Projects, construction and welding for Skeena and Columbia Cellulose Company and the reconstruction of the Abfam Sawmill in Massett, Queen Charlottes, finally retiring in Sechelt.

He was held in high regard and maintained his affiliations with the Royal Canadian Legion and Masonic Lodge. He possessed an exceptional mastery of the English language and read voraciously. Easy to laugh, he could captivate anyone in serious or witty conversation. An accomplished sportsman, he enjoyed fly-fishing, hunting and the outdoors. His natural charm, strength of character and presence will be greatly missed.

A family gathering and service will be held in Terrace in the summer of 2004.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.