Lionel Victor Courtenay

Lionel Victor Courtenay passed away in his sleep at his home in McBride, B.C. on May 28, 2023 from a heart attack at the age of 65. Lionel leaves to mourn his family: son Derrick (Kristen) Lyonnais, grandchildren Nykolas, MacKenna of Lloydminster, stepson Shawn Bexson, grandchildren Avery, Taryn, Jillian of Lacombe, AB; stepson Kris (Hannah) Bexson, grandchildren Grace, Beth, Summer of Prince Alberni, B.C.; Cody (Kelly) Courtenay, grandchildren, Owen, Reid, Jude of Kimberley, BC; James Courtenay, grandchildren Blaize, Brelyn, Lenix, Emrik of Lloydminster; Adam (Laura) Courtenay, grandchild Ephram of Lac Le Jeune, B.C.; Melissa (Steve) Guy, grandchild Liam of Victoria, B.C.; Jennifer (Joe) Smith, grandchildren Faith, Kayla, Landon, Carter of Lake Cowichan, B.C; brothers Dan, Ted (Zoni) Courtenay and their families and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents Ed and Elsie Courtenay, sister Isabel and her husband Lem Burns. and sister-in-law Linda Courtenay. Lionel was born to Ed and Elsie Courtenay July 20, 1957 and became a younger brother to Dan, Edward (Ted) and Isabel. He lived on the family farm until he was nine years old when he and his mom moved to Lloydminster after his father’s death. He graduated high school at LCHS where he had taken electrical classes and then apprenticed with Dyck Electric to become a Journeyman. Shortly after, he had a relationship and his family was started with his first son Derrick. He later married Peggy Bexson (who had two sons, Shawn, and Kris), and together they had five more children. His electrician career took him to many places for work, and as a family they lived in some of those places after leaving Lloydminster: 100 Mile House, Hope, Esquimalt, several years in Sooke. After he and Peggy separated, and in his retirement, he chose to move to McBride B.C to enjoy his likeness of winter sports. He soon became an active, well-liked part of the community. In lieu of a funeral, his children chose to have a family memorial supper and week-end campout at his brother Ted’s farm, south of Lone Rock. This farm is the land their dad homesteaded when he emigrated from Bushmills, Ireland in the early 1900’s. Several years ago, Lionel had received a gift of a bottle of the famous Bushmills Whisky. He asked his son to put it away until his funeral and all have a sip then – and so they did! It was a great weekend; the weather co-operated and over the supper and campfires many stories and memories were shared. The family thanks all who helped put this weekend together, and all who sent condolences thru visits, cards, calls, Facebook or other social media messages. It was greatly appreciated.