Obituary for Adrian Joseph Handfield
We are sad to announce the passing of Adrian after a lengthy struggle with COPD. He is survived by brother Bob (Margaret) and foster brother Scott (Darcy), nieces and nephews Laura, Tomas, Robert and Bethany, and many cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Ada and Wilfrid, brother Don and foster brother Paul.
Adrian, known as Joe for much of his life, especially to his family, was adopted by Ada and Wilf Handfield at a very early age and welcomed into the family home in east Vancouver. Big brothers Bob and Don were already in high school so Joe was truly the baby in the family. In the late sixties, the family moved to Surrey where Adrian was to spend most of the rest of his life except for a period in Williams Lake where he enjoyed many good days fishing with Don.
Adrian had a real talent for music – he played drums for brother Don’s band on Vancouver Island, filling in when the regular drummer broke his leg. Adrian commuted on PWA to the Island whenever a gig was on Don’s schedule. He also played guitar and could listen to a tune on the radio and then play it on the piano or organ that Ada and Wilf always had at home.
Adrian spent twenty years working for CN Railway but was forced into early retirement by disabilities. To keep himself busy, Adrian took up some work as an extra in the busy Vancouver film industry and later volunteered for the Surrey Food Bank and did some work at the Cloverdale Rodeo. However, his favorite thing was making dill pickles when summer rolled around, faithfully following Ada’s pickle recipe. When his illness made it difficult for him, friend Debbie came to his assistance, once helping him make a record fifty-seven quarts of dills. Adrian was happiest when giving away his pickles to friends and family. In his difficult last years, friend Rob, who he had known since high school, was also there to help with grocery shopping and such.
The later years of Adrian’s life were a struggle but his friends and family will remember his musical talent, his love of fishing and his joy at making really great dill pickles.
Adrian, known as Joe for much of his life, especially to his family, was adopted by Ada and Wilf Handfield at a very early age and welcomed into the family home in east Vancouver. Big brothers Bob and Don were already in high school so Joe was truly the baby in the family. In the late sixties, the family moved to Surrey where Adrian was to spend most of the rest of his life except for a period in Williams Lake where he enjoyed many good days fishing with Don.
Adrian had a real talent for music – he played drums for brother Don’s band on Vancouver Island, filling in when the regular drummer broke his leg. Adrian commuted on PWA to the Island whenever a gig was on Don’s schedule. He also played guitar and could listen to a tune on the radio and then play it on the piano or organ that Ada and Wilf always had at home.
Adrian spent twenty years working for CN Railway but was forced into early retirement by disabilities. To keep himself busy, Adrian took up some work as an extra in the busy Vancouver film industry and later volunteered for the Surrey Food Bank and did some work at the Cloverdale Rodeo. However, his favorite thing was making dill pickles when summer rolled around, faithfully following Ada’s pickle recipe. When his illness made it difficult for him, friend Debbie came to his assistance, once helping him make a record fifty-seven quarts of dills. Adrian was happiest when giving away his pickles to friends and family. In his difficult last years, friend Rob, who he had known since high school, was also there to help with grocery shopping and such.
The later years of Adrian’s life were a struggle but his friends and family will remember his musical talent, his love of fishing and his joy at making really great dill pickles.