Llewellyn W. Fountain passed away in his sleep on March 8, 2011 after a lengthy illness at the Burns Lake Hospital at the age of 90. He was predeceased by his mother, Elizabeth (Jordison) in 1937, his father, Hiram Fountain in 1963, his daughter Ruth Fountain in 1989, his wife, Frances (O’Blenes) in 1990, and sister, Fay McCaskill in 2000. He is survived by his children Rodney of Burns Lake, Roger of Eugene, Oregon, Rhea (Will) Corbett of Telkwa, BC, Patrick (Krista) of Barrhead, Alberta, his sister Beth (Charles) Ickringill of Powell River, BC, two nephews and one niece and eight grandchildren.
The only son of Hiram and Elizabeth Fountain, Lew arrived on February 9, 1921, born in his parents’ farmhouse near Aneroid, Saskatchewan. He had two older sisters, and they spent their childhood in southern Saskatchewan, attending grade school in and near Ponteix, SK. After the passing of their mother, they left the farm life and moved westward to Idaho, Washington state and eventually Vancouver, BC. The foursome worked together and set up a household, Lew worked as a repairman, mechanic, welder, riveter in the shipyards, and as a chainsaw manufacturer. His father helped him build a house in Burnaby, BC, where he welcomed his new bride, Frances, in December of 1956, and later, two baby boys, Rodney and Roger.
The decision was made to move north to Burns Lake in 1959. In the next six years, the Fountains had two daughters, Ruth and Rhea, and another son, Patrick. The Fountains were active in the Baptist church from the 60s through the 90s. Lew located his business on the west end of Gerow Island where the Fountain family lived. The Chainsaw Centre was a place to buy antiques, machinery parts, etc. he had salvaged, or get your wringer washer, vacuum cleaner, mower, outboard – you name it – repaired, and be the recipient of a generous talk on most any topic (including religion and politics) while-you-wait. He recited Robert Service poems from memory. He was an avid student of history. Other hobbies he pursued were music, both listening to records, singing alone, or singing in the community choir, and collecting antiques. His ingenuity and humour is exemplified in a 1977 postcard entitled “Westward Ho!” showing the front yard of his place decked with three silver-wheeled chuck wagons, cowboy boots, scythe, an axe, a ball-and-chain, and more. Hundreds of tourists would stop and ask questions. This elaborate “set” was his creation, and was the backdrop for numerous photographs.
Lew remained alert in mind until his passing. Lew will be dearly missed by his family, and by friends especially in the Lakes District, his home for over 50 years. “Life is made up of new beginnings,” was one of his favourite sayings. Now Lew has a new home and a new beginning with the Saviour he met when he was in his 30s. Funeral services were held at the Island Gospel Fellowship in Burns Lake, BC. at 1 p.m. on March 15, 2011.