Obituary of Dale Leslie Wood

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dale Leslie Wood, so that together we may acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that his life was to us, and the pain that his passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy. Dale was only 57 years old when he passed away on Monday, February 1, 2016 at Chetwynd Hospital. He was born on November 5, 1958 in Dawson Creek, B.C. to Leslie and Ethel (nee Courtorielle) Wood. Dale spent his adult life in Chetwynd, B.C. logging for over 40 years. Dale was very close to his family, friends, and also his partner, Lauren Proctor. The care and support during his last few months by his friends and family, the round the clock care by his brother, is very much appreciated by all who loved Dale. One of Dale's favourite spots to enjoy solitude and reminisce was on the river at the end of Dokie Road, he will be going back this summer when we scatter his ashes where he loved to relax, enjoy the world and perhaps nap. Dale was a man who didn't have a mean bone in his body, a warm friendly man who made his mark in the world not with grand gestures or fancy titles, but by the basic goodness and generosity of his character, by the quality of his involvement with his fellow man, and how he brought out these qualities in others. The following poem speaks to these qualities: The House by the Side of the Road' by Sam Walter Foss There are hermit souls that live withdrawn In the place of their self-content; There are souls like stars, that dwell apart, In a fellowless firmament; There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths Where highways never ran- But let me live by the side of the road And be a friend to man. Let me live in a house by the side of the road Where the race of men go by- The men who are good and the men who are bad, As good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat Nor hurl the cynic's ban- Let me live in a house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. I see from my house by the side of the road By the side of the highway of life, The men who press with the ardor of hope, The men who are faint with the strife, But I turn not away from their smiles and tears, Both parts of an infinite plan- Let me live in a house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead, And mountains of wearisome height; That the road passes on through the long afternoon And stretches away to the night. And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice And weep with the strangers that moan, Nor live in my house by the side of the road Like a man who dwells alone. Let me live in my house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by- They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong, Wise, foolish - so am I. Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. There were many wonderful aspects to Dale's life, and many ways that he touched our lives. He will be remembered as a wonderful brother, partner, great friend, uncle, cousin, outdoorsmen, friendly face in town, or in his yard. In all these ways and more, he made our lives richer and fuller. Now that he has passed away, of course there is emptiness and pain, confusion and maybe even anger at death coming to a man of only 57 years, but in many ways, the gift of Dale's life is still here with us. He lives on in our memories and stories, and in what all of us have become because of him. So I encourage you to share - today, tomorrow and in the years to come- your memories and stories, and to share the pain of your loss as well. In this way we will keep the gift of Dale's life alive.