December 23, 1928 – January 8, 2025

Ben (Bernard) Wagner died peacefully in the arms of his loving wife in Oliver, BC on January 8, 2025, sixteen days after his 96th birthday.

He was predeceased by his father, Rudolf; mother, Elizabeth; sister, Alma and brothers, Roy, Fred, John and Gerry, and his first wife Stella.  He is survived by his wife of more than 15 years Eileen, step children, Robin (Bernie) McNeil, Laurel (Richard) McKay, Darren Dainard and partner Wendy Rubuliak, Corey Dainard; 3 granddaughters, 2 grandsons and 5 great grandchildren; loving sister, Mary Dennis, and many nieces and nephews.

During his working years he was a logger, miner, construction worker, pulp mill plumber and Maintenance Supervisor for the Vanderhoof School District.  His true love was prospecting and placer mining.  He and his partner had a very successful claim on Tom Creek in northern BC, selling the gold to jewelers in Vancouver.

Ben loved to travel with his wife Eileen throughout Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean and Europe.  His favourite was a riverboat cruise from Austria to Amsterdam where he saw the area his parents came from.  For their honeymoon Ben took Eileen back to see his beloved north country, where in his younger days he climbed mountains and paddled rivers.

Ben had a deep love for his Samoyed dog Nikki, who won the Canadian Championship in Edmonton in 1971.

Ben had a passion for sports, watching and participating, especially baseball.  As a 17 year old he was recruited to play baseball in Ontario.  While in Prince Rupert, Ben won many bowling trophies. While in Vanderhoof Ben was part owner and manager of the boys minor hockey team the Vanderhoof Bears. He traveled with the boys to their out of town games, loving every minute of it. Ben loved to play golf and did so to the age of 89.  At 85 he golfed his age and there is a picture of this achievement at the Nk’mip Canyon Desert Golf Course.  He was an avid Edmonton Oilers fan and Toronto Blue Jays fan.

Ben loved Eileen’s family, especially the great grandchildren.  He will be missed by all of his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm, Saturday January 18, 2025 at Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Chapel, 5855 Hemlock Street, Oliver, BC.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com