February 9, 1925 - October 31, 2021
A Life Well Lived ~
The family of Paul Lingstrom is deeply saddened to announce that he peacefully passed away at Kiwanis Lodge on October 31, 2021 with Allison Lingstrom at his side.
Paul was born on February 9, 1925 in the family home in Peachland, BC to parents Salem and Astrid Ling. Two years later the family moved to Oliver where they bought a farm. When Paul was 15 he quit school to help on the farm. His mother died a year later and he stayed at the farm for a short time after. He made his way to Vancouver and joined the Navy at 18 years old. While in the Navy he fought in the Atlantic in WWII. After the war he was a riveter for Boeing.
One day he met a man who asked him if he'd be interested in cooking on a fishing boat. He said, "Sure! When you do you need me?" Paul took a chef's course to prepare. Happy about the job offer, this would start his long adventure as a commercial fisherman on the Bering Sea in Alaska, fishing halibut. He also fished tuna in the blue off Vancouver Island, salmon on the Fraser River and herring. Many hair raising stories were born as a result of this lucrative but very dangerous job.
In 1955 Paul met and married Lesley Gottschau. When in the late 60's, fish were poisoned with mercury, Paul decided that the Hotel business in Nanaimo would be a good idea so he bought the Newcastle Hotel and later moved to Cedar and bought and renovated the Wheatsheaf Inn and the Cranberry Arms Hotel. Many great friends were made in Cedar, and Paul built a beautiful home there. One cold evening in January 1981 Lesley sadly lost her life in an accident on Cedar Road. They were married for 26 years, and had two children, Teresa & David.
One day Paul was walking downtown and met a friend of his, Charlaine Scott. They went for coffee and soon found they enjoyed each others company. In the next few weeks they became a couple. Char made Paul very happy and it was like they were meant to be. They married in 1983 and a new wing was built onto Paul's house for Char's 3 teenagers. Paul and Char raised their 4 teens there, then moved to a condo in Nanaimo over looking Maffeo Sutton Park on the waterfront. They travelled extensively in the United States. They were snow birds for years living the winter in Apache Junction Arizona. They also travelled in a motor home throughout the States once even settling down for a year in Branson Missouri where they bought a laundry mat. They enjoyed many Country Western shows there and met Willie Nelson! They also loved cruise ships. They stopped travelling when the grandchildren started to come so they could spend quality time will all 10 of them.
Paul and Char had a beautiful RV and lot at Avorado Resort on Qualicum Bay where Paul was lovingly known as the "Mayor". They spent every summer there for 24 years. Family and friends visited regularly where there was always a cold beer and a tasty meal. Paul played his harmonica by the camp fire tapping his foot like he always did. A lot of family birthdays were celebrated at the lot, along with many random reasons to get together. On any given Sunday Paul could be found making buttermilk pancakes for his friends and neighbours. If a knock was heard at your door you knew you were in for a treat!
Paul enjoyed and was proud to be a Mason as Char was in being in Eastern Star.
Paul and Char also belonged to the Old Age Pensioners Group (OAP) and made many good friends there and had a lot of fun. They also belonged to Branch 257 Legion in Lantzville and liked attending the Saturday meat draws. Paul would joke when he won " Well, we eat again next week!". Paul marched in the Remembrance Day Ceremony for many years, proud to be a WWII Veteran and we were just as proud of him.
Paul was a great cook and was known for his sometimes 5 or 6 course Chinese dinners. He also loved to bake, with apple pie being his specialty. They were so good... made with expertise and love. He gave them away for decades making everyone feel special. Teresa was in charge of finding the apples and 8" tin foil pie plates, and happily supplied her Dad for many years. He loved to play harmonica and was good at it right until a few days before he passed. He loved his cat "Kitty". Char and Debbie would bring her up to Kiwanis where she would cuddle on Paul's lap or lay on his pillow if he was resting. Hayley brought little Levi and Jenn brought Emmi to visit too.
Paul was predeceased by his parents Salem and Astrid Ling, his first wife Lesley Lingstrom and his brother Danny Lingstrom. He is survived by his loving wife Charlaine Lingstrom, his sister Mary Archer (Norman), his daughter Teresa Lingstrom, his son David Lingstrom (Allison) (step) children Debbie Blakemore (Dave), Nick Scott (Coral), Mike Scott (Cindy), his grandchildren: Dayle Kuczerski (Mike), Jon Paul Rice (Jasmine) Jenna Blakemore, Hayley Holroyd (Sean), Elizabeth Lingstrom, Helena Lingstrom (Keenan) Daen Lingstrom (Leah), Christopher Scott, Amanda Scott, Brynn Scott, great grandchildren Marley Rice, Steve Rice, Aubrey Ficek and Levi Holroyd with a fourth great grandchild, baby boy Lingstrom due in February.
A Celebration of Paul's Life was held in his honour on his 95th birthday where 80 friends came together to see him and share cake and appetizers. Paul's ashes will be interred at the Townsite Chinese Cemetery on November 15, 2021, with just immediate family to attend.
A special thank you to the wonderful and caring Nurses and Careaides at Kiwanis Lodge. Paul received exemplary treatment there and loved everybody. Thank you to all his friends that came to visit in his last few months. He loved you all.
A LIMB HAS FALLEN FROM THE FAMILY TREE THAT SAYS GRIEVE NOT FOR ME.
REMEMBER THE BEST TIMES, THE LAUGHTER, THE SONG THE GOOD LIFE I LIVED WHILE I WAS STRONG
Dad was a caring, compassionate, humble, gracious, loving, gentle and kind man. He had integrity and will be dearly missed by all that knew him.
Jon, Teresa and David