Obituary of Bjarne Bach Larsen

Bjarne Larsen a longtime resident of Dawson Creek, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 72 years of age. He was born in the city of Aalborg, Denmark. Bjarne immigrated to Canada in 1957 with his parents by way of cruise ship across the ocean, which took about 8 days, and arrived in Halifax, NS on June 30, 1957. There was great excitement and also a sense of loneliness for all the friends and family left behind. It was a brave adventure, and of course there was the language barrier to overcome, but they soon made new friends who would last as lifetime. They made their way across Canada, and eventually settled in Dawson Creek, but soon thereafter lost everything in an apartment fire. Starting again from scratch was difficult, but with the help of friends and community they were soon back on their feet. Bjarne and friends were responsible for the opening and management of the Canadian Consolidated Salvage company back in 1958. He also worked as a framer for the A.M. Dahlen Construction, was a clerk at the D.C. Post Office, and worked in engineering at City Hall, and at the D.C. water treatment plant for many years until his early retirement due to health issues. Bjarne met the love of his life, Lisette (Lisa) Blais, at the local hospital where she was his mother's nurse when she was ill at the time. It was love at first sight, and he often said how thankful and lucky he was to have such a wodnerful woman. They shared a long, beautiful, love-filled life for over 50 years. Bjarne's second love was music. When he lived in Edmonton in 1957, he became quite involved in the music business. He formed a band called 'The Volcanoes' with his friends Paul Jorgenson and Arnie Hansen. Later, in Dawson Creek in 1958, he and Paul joined a couple of musicians from Fort St. John, Ray (Butch) Peterson and Gary Johnson, to form 'The Sparks'. They later became the opening act and backup band for country legend, George Jones on his first Canadian tour back in 1959. Bjarne eventually formed his own band called, 'Bjarne and the Dynamics' with Brian Chamberlain, Jack Wilson, Bill Padley, Arden Hillmann, Jeff Mahaffey and Larry Stefanyk. They had a weekly T.V. and radio show with 'Alf Walsh and the Ramblers', had a great time playing at the 'Teen Town' dances at the old military base, and won the Best Band award of the Peace River Region in 1964. He was quite a local celebrity and was loved and respected by many. Although he loved his music, and it would remain a big part of his life; to Bjarne, family was always number one, and soon after his two daughters were born, he hung up his guitar and devoted his full attention to family and being the best father two girls could ever ask for. The epitome of a 'Family Man', he faithfully provided a wonderful home and life for his cherished family, full of love and many happy memories. He was a kind, caring, and compassionate person. Always generous to a fault, he could never resist helping anyone in need, whether they were friend, family or stranger. He was loving and patient and loyal to his friends and family, and always there to lend an ear or offer guidance. Bjarne was predeceased by his parents: Bendt and Karen Larsen. He will be missed dearly, and leaves behind; his wife, Lisette, daughters Sandra (Bruce) and Brenda; grandsons, Brew, Kris, Gord, and Ben; and many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephew in-law. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium