Joy O’Neil Sevy

Joy O’Neil Sevy, born July 13, 1926, passed away on Feb. 22, 2010. He was raised in Palo Alto, Calif. where he fell in love with and married Alberta J. Upton. In 1962 they moved to a ranch in Christian Valley of British Columbia, then to Penticton and lastly Osoyoos.

Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Joy served in various callings and was full of faith in his Heavenly Father and in his Saviour. Joy was very active physically to the last, playing tennis, golf, swimming, working in the yard and orchards, rejoicing in his health, his family, his friends and his life every day. Joy and Alberta wintered in Yuma, Ariz. for the last 15 years of his life, where they made many friends. Joy’s earthly sojourn came to an abrupt end when he was forcefully rear-ended in his motor home on a highway in the Arizona desert. He wanted to live to 104 and never get old.

Joy served with the U.S. Navy in WWII and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He was a jack of all trades, a born salesman and a lively raconteur of Robert Frost, “Immortal Poems” and Shakespeare. He was a living Mormon pioneer.

He is predeceased by his parents, Jonathan Evan Sevy and Mary Sorensen; and his brothers Jay, Don and Lynn.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alberta J. Sevy of Osoyoos; their children: Jonathan (Jack) Sevy (Barbara) of Penticton, Doni Gallinger (Don) of New Jersey, Marjoy Harris (Gregory) of Calgary, Alta., Cameron Sevy (Sharon) of Provo, Utah; grandchildren: Nathaniel, Jonathan, Kenji and David Sevy; Elaina Sevy Hargreaves, Erica Sevy Haner and Meredith and Jacob Sevy; Brooke Harris Lowry, Paige Harris Clark, Dana Harris Rusche, and Brig, Brianna and Victoria Harris; and 10 great grandchildren.

Messages to the family and stories of Joy can be e-mailed to paige.h.clark@gmail.com. Please view tributes, stories and a video of the funeral at http://joyosevy.blogspot.com.

The funeral will be held Monday, March 15, 2010 at NK’IMP RV Park Clubhouse, Hwy. 3 East, turn left on 34th St. Viewing will be at 2 p.m. Funeral at 3 p.m. Interment to follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Osoyoos.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Graham Funeral Home, 34616 99th Street, Oliver, B.C.