Obituary of Wilfred Eric Bisgrove

Wilfred Eric Bisgrove June 15, 1932 - June 27, 2018 Eric Bisgrove passed away peacefully in his home on June 27, 2018 following many years of challenges with heart disease and cancer. His loving partner, Betty Nakahara, was with him as he passed. Eric was borne in Grand Prairie, Alberta on June 15, 1932, to Wilfred John and Florence Mae Bisgrove. Six years later, he and his younger brother Frank moved to Victoria, BC, and seven years later, another move took them to Kimberley, BC. Eric graduated from McKim High School in 1951 and immediately took an apprenticeship with Cominco as a machinist. He worked for the Company for thirty-six years, retiring as Foreman: Maintenance and Storage at Kimberley Fertilizer Operations, January 1988. He married Margaret Joyce Turner in Stettler, Alberta on July 19, 1958, and they raised two children, Brent and Sharon, in Kimberley, BC. Eric learned to curl while in school, and went on to skip teams to high school provincial championships. In later years, and with many of his same high school buddies, he went on to compete in Senior's events at provincial championship levels. Eric joined the Kimberley Pipe Band in 1949, and learned to play the drums. The Pipe Band became his second family, and for fifty-five years he took part in countless parades and many events, taught many youngsters how to play, and served as Drum Major for many of those years. Eric was predeceased by his parents, his wife Joyce and his daughter Sharon. He is survived by his son Brent (Mariko Sato), his grandson Tomo Sato, his brother Frank Bisgrove, and his later-life partner, Betty Nakahara. A memorial service will be held for Eric on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 1:00 pm at McPherson Funeral Home, 1885 Warren Avenue, in Kimberley, BC followed by interment in the Kimberley Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com