It is a great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Lawrence (Chris) Carl Engelstad.

Dad was born October 7, 1922 in Radville Saskatchewan to Amanda and Christian Engelstad. He was the sixth child of eight for Amanda and the first boy for Christian. Dad grew up with his siblings in Radville until at age seventeen when he enlisted with the army. His service time was spent overseas in France, England and Belgium. On or about D Day Dad was injured in a tank accident which left him disabled.

Dad returned home on the Red Cross ship the Luticia. After recuperating, Dad returned home to Radville and went to work for Imperial Oil in Hardisty, Alberta. A year later he followed his family from Radville to New Westminster, BC where the whole family was reunited save for one brother that stayed in Radville at the homestead to run the family farm.

In New Westminster, Dad found work with the City of New Westminster at Queen's Park Arena. Over the next several years dad had many jobs. In 1980 and in poor health Dad suffered a stroke which affected his right side but not his mule like attitude. Dad fought to be independent for as long as he could.

A few years ago, dad made up his mind to move to Victoria to be closer to myself and his three grandchildren but it took nearly two years to do all the paper work.

In May 2003, Dad left New Westminster, his home of over fifty years, and moved to an assisted living apartment not far from myself. Dad was glad to have regular visits from his grandchildren and even his close friend of fifty years, Glen Makus and his wife BJ came from the mainland for visits. Dad gave us a couple of scares over the past fourteen months but he always fought hard to hang on. Dad's last fight was his last and a battle he wouldn't win. Dad passed away after a massive hart attack in the early morning of July 30, 2004 with his granddaughter and her fiance at his side, still teasing and fighting to the end.

Dad leaves behind his only living sibling, his sister Alice Airth (aka Phoebe) of New Westminster, his sister in-law Phyllis Engelstad of Regina, SK, his sister-in-law Elsie Engelstad of Burnaby, his sister in-law Elsie Blake of Vancouver and many, many nieces and nephews and cousins in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. His two children Mark Engelstad of Burnaby and Kim Emerson and his grandchildren Calina (Matt Turner), Tara and Britton Emerson of Victoria. At dad's request there will be no service or memorial however a few months ago I read him a story that he enjoyed and asked me to put it in his obituary when the time came for everyone to ponder.

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on his tombstone

From the beginning. . . to the end

He noted that first came his date of birth

And spoke the following dates with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That he spent on earth. . .

And now only those who loved him

Know what that line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

The cars. . . the house. . . the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard. . .

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can be still rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real,

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile. . .

Remembering that this special dash

May only last a little while.

So, your eulogy's being read

With you life's actions to rehash. . .

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?