James (Don) Stamer

March 14, 2021

July 30th 1928 - March 14th, 2021

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our father and step-father James Alexander “Don” Stamer on March 14th, 2021 in White Rock B.C.

Dad (Papa) passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of the 14th at the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge after a lengthy stay in hospital and seven months after his bride of 42 years, Elizabeth passed in August.

Don is survived by his son Greg from his first marriage and his grandsons Julian and Robin as well as step-son Scott (Katheryn) and grandchildren Spencer and Shaylen. Dad is also survived by his sister Charmaine and younger brother Brian (Lillian) and many nieces and nephews in the  large extended family who will miss him dearly.

Dad was predeceased by his father Barney and mother Kathleen, sisters Joan Fox and Judy Lee, daughter in-law Carla Stamer and his grandson Aaron Stamer.

Dad or “Staunch” as he was known to his oldest friends was born in Duncan B.C. and enjoyed his early years close to the water and all that life on Vancouver Island had to offer like boating and hunting. 

After graduating from high school dad started working for the Department of Highways as a surveyor, met and then married Pat McNeil. After several years in the lower mainland they transferred to Terrace where he became the site supervisor for several road projects in the north west of BC. In 1956 Gregory came along, their only child. While in the north he met life long friends such as Richard “Dick” Doyle and Eve Larson.  In the mid 60s, still with the DOH, we were transferred to Chetwynd, This is where he met RJ Bob Keen and started working for him.  From there he ended up in Fort Nelson where he was a senior executive working with Keen Industries (Key To The North) and his good friend Bob Keen. Don could literally tell you about any detail... of any road... you may have travelled in this province.

Don met Elizabeth (Liz) in the mid 70’s and after dating for a short time he asked her to move to Ft Nelson where he worked and where they started a new family along with Scott.

Life was full in Ft Nelson where Don enjoyed the close bonds and friendships he had with his best friend Richard “Dick” Doyle of Kledo Construction and the tight knit community that was Fort Nelson. Curling Bonspiels, The Masonic Lodge, Elks Club, Rendezvous, hockey tournaments and camping trips made up daily life in the north.

In the late 70’s however, work commitments and a lengthy legal issue between BC Rail and Keen in the Dease Lake region necessitated a move to the lower mainland to be closer to the courts.

Don and Liz chose Tsawwassen as home base where they thrived for years taking advantage of being closer to extended family, the theatre, music, gardening, golf and all of the activities the city had to offer. While Dad worked on the case for Keen, Mom continued her hairdressing career which she loved doing up until her last few years. 

During these years they absolutely loved spending time gunkholing around the Gulf Islands on their fixer upper cabin cruiser with their two dogs Jiggs and Susie. Self caught prawn and crab feast daily on the boat, in the sun was their joy and some of their happiest times. While Greg was busy raising his family back east and Scott was off to college, they travelled extensively and saw many tropical areas and even spent extended time in Brazil with her brother Brian who lived in Sao Paulo...a trip which they raved about for years.

Eventually they would move from Tsawwassen to White Rock where gardening and looking after a beautifully manicured garden took Dad’s attention as his main hobby along with cooking and wine making which he loved to do for the family. So many delicious meals prepared by both Mom and Dad were appreciated by all.

Don loved being “Papa” to Spencer, Shaylen, Julian and Robin.There was no better set of grandparents and the time and love they both extended to being present as the kids were growing is still valued to this day. 

During his last few years and while Mom battled with cancer, Dad’s strength and love was steadfast as he looked after her needs with humility and humor while he continued to maintain their daily routine independently as they desired. His loyalty to his love, his friends and family was unequaled.

We will all miss his upbeat good natured look on life, “how’s-she-going” great food, political debates, long winded jokes and tempered advice... and know that he is once again happy back with his sweetheart, friends, family and pets telling a joke about a funny business suit ... while tugging at his lapel to the joy of good friends and family.

Dad’s ashes will be interred at Heritage Gardens in south Surrey next to his bride Elizabeth and brother in law Brian Davison at a later date due to the current Covid situation.The family will announce a date and time in the future.

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