Beal passed away on Wed. July 21st, 2010 in the comfort of his home after a long battle with cancer. Bill left us too soon and will be dearly missed by his beloved family and friends. The torrential rain on Thursday, were certainly fit for a Scottish farewell.
Beal came from Aberdeen, Scotland to the Toronto area in 1977 and worked as a licensed diesel mechanic. A year later, he traveled to Western Canada and fell in love with this part of the world. He lived in Calgary for a few years but one weekend, friends invited him on a ski trip to Lake Louise. He had never skied before but adventurous Beal took on the invitation and a weekend trip turned into a 4 year stay and 25 years of being involved in the skiing industry.
He felt right at home in the mountains. At 24, he was the oldest “lifty” ever and always got a chuckle at the thought. During the Lake Louise days, several of his friends were training to become mountain guides; so he was happy to tag along and experience the great Canadian Outdoors, ski touring, climbing, and hiking.
From Lake Louise, Beal moved to Whistler around 1984 and thus for about the next 12 years. He worked as a cat driver and carpenter. During that time, he built himself a cabin at Lillooet Lake where he and his friends spent a lot of good times.
Bill relocated to Fernie in 1996 and we met in 1998. I was living in Field, BC at the time and looking to relocate. So, a few friends and I decided to go on a ski trip to check-out Fernie. We were having an après-ski at the base lodge and Bill happened to walk-in. My girlfriends knew him from their Skoki days and we met briefly; although Bill always said he did not remember meeting me from that day, I sure did! That spring, I moved to Fernie and we befriended for several months (a summer of butterflies) before we became a couple and have been ever since.
In 2005, we decided it was time for a change of lifestyle and moved to Salmon Arm that spring. He got involved with “Shuswap Hut to Hut Trail Alliance” building trails in the area until his illness kept him from doing so. He liked the concept and the people he was involved with. Even through his illness, he continued his regular walks and socializing.
Bill felt that so far, he had experienced life to its fullest and that life had been good to him. Of course he felt cheated by time but made peace with it. A very personable, jolly, energetic person; people were easily drawn to him. He had a lot of good memories and stories of his years roaming this earth.
So now I’m leaving it up to you to tell a “wee story”
All my love,
Ginette
