Pat (John Patrick) Horie

Our “Kootenay Mountain Man” left us peacefully, with son Larry and wife Dee by his side. We thank all the staff and medical team of 3B for their compassionate care and attention these past 2 weeks, as well as those of 4A during his7 weeks last August,  at North Island Hospital in Courtenay.

Doing their utmost to ease his pain and provide support, we appreciate all the efforts of Dr.'s Frolic, Konway and Mierzewski, and especially the guiding hands of Christine, Leah, Kim and Tara from Community Health Services. We are indebted to the Guardians who kept watch over Pat, true-blue friends Nancy, Katy and Lois, as well as Tanya from Costco Pharmacy, for service above and beyond. Your presence gave us much comfort.

John Patrick was born in Cranbrook, BC to John and Celia (nee Griffin) Horie. Survived by siblings; Malcolm (Alice) and Cathie Horie, and Shirley (Ken) Craig.  Gone before him are Lois, Ron, Margie, Bob and Raymond (Tiny). Surrounded by the many nieces, nephews and outlaws at any family gathering or reunion, it was never boring, nor quiet. The Wills, Reekies, Stanleys, Carvers, Lauries all joined in with the Hories; stories were shared, songs sung, and glasses raised. Entertainment galore!

Pat's Early Riser routine was instilled early in his youth, while he “ran like a deer” on his milk delivery route before going to school in the morning. He graduated from Mount Baker High in 1961, before heading off to BCIT in Burnaby to obtain his Electrician's Certification. In 1969 he married Sharron (Thomason) and moved to Prince George to work for BC Forest Service. Together they raised Lawrence in the log home he built in 1972 - 75 at West Lake, just outside of PG, with the patience and skillful help of a few family and friends. His electrical work travels with BCFS took him throughout northern BC, to forestry service lookouts, industrial sites and, back then, remote communities in Gold River and Alaska. Pat was promoted to Fire Suppression Manager, but still found time to go moose hunting with brother Mal and good friend Charlie Clayton. In 1987, he moved to the Lower Mainland and began work at Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam. As Industry Division Manager, he ran a tight ship, but always regarded his staff as his “best team ever”. Pat particularly enjoyed directing the social side of Riverview. He and his Dance Committee (Jake Bergen, Lynn Cook, and Donna Higginbottom) orchestrated numerous very popular gatherings, notably the boat cruise around Indian Arm, featuring all the Kentucky Fried you could eat, and the Vancouver Aquarium dance.  Your $5 ticket even included a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas once, and all the guests dressed up for the beach. His Hories' Hosers ball team were feared as much as the Vancouver Canucks, but it was on the diamond at Inlet Park, umpiring Dewdney Women's Fast Pitch, that he made the right call to woo a young left fielder, named Dee (Diesel). She was impressed that Pat made sure the table at the Legion was full of beer for the umpires' post game debriefings. They hit it off and spent many enjoyable years golfing in Arizona with the Craigs, or holidays in the Maritimes and Hawaii. They made a very special trip back to Ontario in 1994, to get married in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and often fondly remember the horse and carriage ride around town after the ceremony, thanks to Freddie and JB. Good Curling and bonspiels with friends at The Port Moody Curling Club, stretched out over a decade, until Pat got ready to retire from Riverview, now as Director of Operations. By then, he had redesigned the Emergency Management program and invented and patented REES, the Riverview Emergency Evacuation System device, to carry patients safely and securely out of harm's way.

In 2003, we moved to Courtenay and discovered Arden Road, and a treasureship of new friends to join us around back yard theme party bonfires, in the hot tub or friendly wagering during Grey Cup games. Pat just had to keep busy, organizing his biking gang to ride around the Comox Valley, or check off their bucket list hike to Cape Scott in 2009, with Katy, Lois, Sandy, Carol, Lindsay, Debbie and Sharon.

After our move in 2015 to the Valley View area, Pat's health began to decline, which curtailed his golf and curling activities, though he could still start up the snowblower at 6 am if needed. After being discharged from the hospital in September, his dementia was progressing, but was eased a great deal by twice weekly visits to the Glacier View Senior Daycare, where the chance to socialize and hand out his KMM Consulting cards, brought joy to those around. His final few days were not easy to watch, but he was made as comfortable as possible, and he passed away quietly, without regret, and his suffering was done.  We plan a celebration of Pat's life at the end of June, in the Mountains he loved so much. Details will be forthcoming. No service by request.

Pat was “Scared of No Man, and Damn Few Women”, and will be deeply missed by Larry, Michiko, granddaughters Anika and Savannah, wife Dee, and faithful cat Shadow.

Cathie, Stacey and Andrew, and all our friends and family, near and far, will always be there to keep his memory and spirit fresh in our minds, and in our hearts.