With profound sadness Susan and family announce the passing of Peter (Kevin) Wicklund on Monday, July 29, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Hospice.
Kevin was born on June 19, 1958 to Ivar and Bertha Wicklund. Growing up in Westfort, he was a quiet and inquisitive young boy. He spent many hours dismantling transistor radios only to restore them to working condition.
However, hockey was Kevin’s greatest passion. A true Chicago Blackhawks fan, his most favourite player was Stan Mikita. Kevin was thrilled when he played for the Westfort Blackhawks in Atom and Peewee and then Andrews, in Bantam and Midget. He also played for the first Wrigley Allstar Team in Ontario. Throughout his Junior time with the Beavers, he was often featured in The Chronicle Journal for his goal scoring.
While attending Sir Winston Churchill High School Kevin met Susan, the love of his life. From the moment they met, the twinkle in Kevin’s blue eyes was more prominent. He told Susan repeatedly, “You are my inspiration”! Later, they married on August 11, 1979 and were just shy of celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary.
Throughout their married life, Kevin and Susan once again embraced Kevin’s love to “dismantle” things. Together with Kevin’s skill, knowledge and their combined sense of design, they extensively renovated a number of homes in Thunder Bay and one in Langley, British Columbia. Everyone knew when the baseboards were completed, the “for sale” sign was going up.
A graduate of Confederation College, Mechanical Engineering Technician Program, Kevin was hired as a student draftsman by Rugged Air. It was here he met many of his respected co-workers. Ted Botterill became a mentor to Kevin, later hiring him when he opened his own company, Terrill Engineering. Sometime later, they both worked at Valmet Enerdry, presently, Valmet, on Memorial Avenue. Kevin spent 37 years with the company which afforded him the opportunity to travel from Thunder Bay, extensively throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
In 2003, Kevin accepted a transfer to Langley. Having just recovered from colon cancer, the Wicklund’s felt they could not ignore this opportunity. Together they flourished in this beautiful place. They began attending The Grove Church where Susan became secretary and Kevin was selected as an Elder. It was here that Kevin also built a beautiful “feature wall” at the front of the church that he called “my legacy”.
Golf replaced hockey as Kevin’s favourite sport. The courses were pristine. Many wedding anniversaries included a golf game, a golf cart ride for Susan, followed by a lovely dinner with spectacular views.
After 20 years of being cancer free, 2019 brought it back with a vengeance. Extremely difficult to diagnose, cancer was found in Kevin’s bile duct. Chemotherapy and radiation then took place at Abbotsford Hospital. A referral to Vancouver General Hospital, with a world renown liver specialist and transplant team was made. A liver transplant was the only solution to extend Kevin’s life. We waited for five months on the transplant list, the first liver match was non-viable. Finally, on his Dad’s birthday we received word that another match was available. A 10.5 hour surgery was performed.
Kevin began his recuperation and during this time his sisters Alexis and Alison came out to B.C. It was just what was needed. Together with Kevin they played 6 rounds of golf in 4 days. We reminisced, laughed and some normalcy was restored to our lives. The girls will never know how grateful we both were for their visit.
Soon after the visit, Kevin began experiencing discomfort and 2 weeks after his official retirement in June of 2022, we found out the cancer had returned and was incurable.
We then made the decision to return to Thunder Bay in order to be closer to our families. Due to Kevin’s condition, he was unable to fly home. His brother Earl agreed to our request to meet us in BC and drive us home and we were overcome with gratitude. The four days we spent on the road together required that Kev be reclined in the front seat. Despite this, those days offered us a chance to reminisce, laugh, cry and bond in a way we never had. To Kevin, his brother and sisters always meant the world. He too, obviously meant the world to them.
Kevin is survived by his wife Susan, brother Earl, sisters Alexis Leveque (Kevin), Alison Allam (Greg), sisters-in-law Sandra Jarvis and Leslie Sutherland, as well as nieces and nephews and his little dog Liam, who held a permanent and prominent place on Kev’s lap and in his heart. Kevin is predeceased by his parents Bertha and Ivar Wicklund and his in-laws Marjorie and William Sinfield.
For the duration of his illness, Kevin was respected and admired for his positivity, tenacity, strength, courage and grace. His extensive list of physicians spanned two provinces and we are grateful for all of them.
We would especially like to thank Dr. DelPaggio, Dr. Holzapfel, Dr. Hagerty, Dr. Simpson and Dr. Ward at the Cancer Clinic for their care and compassion. We also thank Dr. Teixeira, and the wonderful nurses at the Hospice Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Cremation has taken place. As per Kevin’s wishes there will be no service. Donations in Kevin’s memory may be made to Northern Cancer Research or St. Joseph’s Hospice.
Kevin, my love, your pain and suffering is now over. God has brought you home to rest. I am eternally grateful for the gift God gave me in you. I am everything I am today, because you loved me. We shared a life and a love that some only dream of. I will love you always and forever…
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
