Obituary of Garth Mitchell Hall

Garth was born on October 22, 1950 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia to proud parents, Lee Don and Winifred Hall. Garth was the first of six siblings. He is survived by brothers Donnie and Doug as well as sisters Debbie, Valerie and Kim. He cherished each one of his siblings always proud of the Hall name as much as he also tormented and teased each one of them. This was how they knew their oldest brother always loved them. Garth's young life would see his family move to many locations as he was the typical army brat. The family spent time in Winnipeg before heading overseas to Germany. Garth proudly boasted of his affinity for school; the ability to read beyond his years and a number sense that he would never lose. Garth loved reading, especially science fiction and fantasy, and was a regular at the Dawson Creek library until his eyes would no longer allow him to read these last few years. Reading spurred his intellect as he formed a strongly opinionated and stubborn minded personality that he would maintain for the remainder of his life. By intermediate school, Garth was back in Canada, living in Nova Scotia and tormenting his classmates, teachers and siblings. Garth was already known for his large stature, physically and in spirit. He proclaimed to be 6 feet tall and pushing 400 pounds by grade 6. No one in the school, including teachers, would mess around with him. Garth enjoyed the long summers spent fishing with his brothers and games of crib and chess with any challengers. Once in high school, Garth took to football as an outlet for his size and aggression. He also shared his family's passion for music and rocking out. There are too many stories of parties at the Hall house to recount them all. Garth loved watching sports of any variety, but particularly developed a love of hockey and the CFL. He remained a loyal Maple Leafs fan, even joking with the nurses in the hospital in his last days about them going all the way this year! Garth returned to the Dawson Creek area before graduation, where he would live for most of the remainder of his life. There were stories about time spent away, as he worked as a technician for Esso "helping turn piss into water" at the Beaufort Sea and helping communities thrive in the far north. However, Dawson Creek always called him back. He channeled his passion for music, selling tapes at the local music store (Tuby's Tapes). It was in 1975 when Garth would finally settle down and marry the woman of his dreams, Lois LeMaitre. The romance young Garth displayed was legendary including this beautiful poem written to Lois: Lovers Poem Let these words, I'm about to write, Be kept to yourself and out of sight. Close to your heart, both day and night. For some people will talk, not knowing what's right. It's not that I'm afraid to let in others, In time they will be told, even our mothers. Two people have met and found each other, Soon to be joined as lovers. Let me call these words a tentative contract, Between two people just come in contact. For the next little while we will have to use words, To let us tell each other's feelings on life, love, and birds. At peace with my mind, the words do flow, Wondering if what we have will flower and grow. Dearest Lois no matter what you do, Let this line go with you always, "I love you." Garth Mitchell Hall - 02/06/75 Following the wedding, they began their beautiful family, including sons Oran and Tyler, and daughter Jennifer. Garth and Lois were hard working and family minded, always getting the kids to school and activities. What leisure time they did have would be spent at their home away from home, camping at Moonshine Lake. As years passed, Oran and Erin, and Jennifer and myself, would often join Garth and Lois at the camping retreats. The family always enjoyed the presence of a puppy or more. Garth loved his dogs and Daisy, Jynx and Jaxson still await his arrival at the back door of their house. Garth and Lois remained in Dawson Creek, running the Zero News store for many years. Customers enjoyed Garth's sense of humour and witty banter. He enjoyed the access to comic books and pocket books for his enjoyment. There were many memorable visits by a toddler-aged Oran sitting on boxes of comics, checking out the new selections with a cigarette hanging from his mouth, just like his daddy. It was during this time Garth took on the role of Santa. His vast beard and round middle often had customers wondering. He played the part well, even acting as the Dawson Creek Mall's first ever Santa, dropped off by helicopter no less. After Zero News closed, Garth spent many years working for Shell. Friends of the Hall children fondly recall Garth teasing them about how their candy purchases would hurt their teeth. Many young customers of the Shell continued to believe they had met the real Santa. During the Shell years, Garth joined Lois to work at the news office, delivering the newspapers around the Peace region. This occupied much of their work life in the last several decades. As the social being he was, Garth often took a full day's work to accomplish (as Lois put it) 2-3 hours of work. He loved to visit and tease the staff at each store he delivered to. He continued to represent Santa as one of his carrier's had a little brother who sat by the window screaming Santa' every week as he dropped bundles. Garth and Lois made sure to leave candy canes under the straps for the awestruck youngster. In recent years as his health failed him, Lois took up the slack to continue the effort on their behalf with the newspaper. It was also during these news office years the first of the many grandchildren came into Garth's life. He enjoyed being Papa' and Santa Claus' to each of his precious grandchildren Johnathon, Kaylene, Quinn, Ashlyn, and Mason. All of the grandchildren were fortunate to spend much quality time getting to know and experience all that was Garth and his charming personality. No matter their age, Garth always had a way of bringing a smile to their faces. In the last 10 years or so, Garth's battles with his physical wellness began to take their toll. He had struggles that did not allow him to continue working with the newspaper. As he spent more time at home and on bed rest, he took to Facebook, social forums, poker sites and continued to engage any and all who were willing, in heated dialogue and socializing. Garth was never one to shy away from telling it like it is and allowing others to do the same. So many people have expressed the respect they had for Garth and remorse for his loss despite those many differences of opinion he exchanged over the Internet. It is no small measure of a man who can dish it out and take it back in stride although he was always better at dishing it out. Through his family and presence in the Dawson Creek community for many years, Garth was known to many for his golden heart, his willingness to help those in need, and always one to make others smile or laugh. Garth took great joy in saying those uncomfortable things that many others would shy away from. He beat to his own drum and would expect nothing less from anyone else. For those who are part of his family or lucky to call him a friend, they saw past some of these shenanigans and saw the Garth that I had come to know and love. He was a man who cared more for others than himself, a man who loved his family unconditionally, and a man who lived life on his own terms. Garth passed away in Prince George, British Columbia, surrounded by his loved ones, at the age of 66. In our hearts and minds, he will always be with us. Garth is survived by his loving wife of 41 years Lois Hall (nee LeMaitre); sons Oran (Erin) Hall, Tyler Hall, daughter Jennifer (Trent) Read; grandchildren Johnathon Farrell, Kaylene Farrell, Quinn Hall, Ashlyn Farrell, Mason Read; brothers Doug Hall and Don Hall; sisters Debbie (Dave) Naylor, Val Hall, and Kim (Greg Moore) Hall; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Lee and Winifred Hall (nee Flavelle). Service 11:00 am Saturday, April 8, 2017 Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd. 10200 - 17th street DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G4C2