Wilbur Pillman Townsend (3B22)
| Date of Birth: | 3 April 1917 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 2 December 2003 |
| Generation: | 10th |
| Residence: | Vancouver, BC, Canada. |
| Father: | William Edward (Will) Townsend [3B10] |
| Mother: | Pillman, Ida |
| Spouse: |
|
| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table IIIB ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Wilbur Pillman Townsend
Wilbur was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada and attended Edith Cavell Elementary school, King Edward and Point Grey high schools. He completed his education at Seattle Pacific College, Seattle, WA, USA.
Married 3 March 1944. Frieda Sauer was the youngest daughter of a local Vancouver sawmill owner, John Sauer.
Throughout his youth, Wilbur was an avid bike racer, speed skater, swimmer, golfer and fisherman - his passion for swimming, golf and fishing continued throughout his active life. During his early working life he had an amazing variety of jobs – tree feller, sulphur miner on Texada Island, a brief stint as a policeman, mill worker, men’s clothing salesman, tool wholesaler and military recruiter. On the outbreak of World War II Wilbur enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and was stationed at Annette Island only a few weeks after his marriage.
During this time, Wilbur also worked with his father, W E Townsend, in the furniture wholesale business [WE Townsend & Sons], which Wilbur took over after WET’s passing. The business later became “Wilbur Townsend Sales”.
After the war Wilbur and Frieda started a family and he became a furniture manufacturer's agent (Wilbur Townsend Sales Ltd). From his Vancouver warehouse, Wilbur provided furniture products for many small independent stores and large department stores in Vancouver and throughout BC. During his travels he established relationships with numerous friends and acquaintances, many of which he maintained throughout his life.
Wilbur retired in 1982 and, until health issues made it too difficult, continued his passion for swimming at the YMCA. Under the tender care of Frieda, he quietly lived out his final years pursuing his interests in reading, watching sports and continuing his connections with friends and former colleagues.
Wilbur truly cared about other people and even to his dying day had an infectious sense of humour. He passed away with his family by his side.
(1) Frieda Sauer was born on 23 August 1918 in Lemberg, Saskatchewan, Canada.