Irvin "Irv" Lee Freeman

It is with more sadness than words can convey that we announce the passing of Irvin Lee Freeman on December 24, 2025, in Salmon Arm, BC. His memory will live on forever with his best friend and devoted wife Karen, his loving daughters- Margo and Lesly, his son in-laws- Scott McGeachie and Shaun Perley and granddaughters- Tyla and Emry, as well as many family and friends.

People who knew Irv said he was a kind and patient man, always offering an ear to listen or a hand to help. His gentle nature, generosity combined with his easy laugh made him the type of man everyone wanted to be around.

Irv was born on September 4th, 1949, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Alfred and Sigridur Freeman. The youngest of five siblings- brothers, Calvin, Floyd, and Dennis, sisters- Joy and Gail- all of which have predeceased.

Growing up, his spark for muscle cars happened early, with an affinity for General Motors to which he drove many, his last being his iconic “red truck”. As a young man, he loved his job jockeying cars at a dealership, though knowing he needed a career, Irv gave up the car keys for a paint brush and eventually opened Colour Dec West, which provided well for his family until he retired.

Family was knitted into his heart. A devoted father of two, Irv taught his daughters that hard work carries value, that patience and kindness go a long way, and that parallel parking is a life skill. He loved spending time with his granddaughters, they always brought him joy.

His love for Karen spanned over 54 years, moving from Winnipeg to Calgary to North Vancouver to Surrey and to Langley. And when they both retired in 2018, they moved to their home in  Anglemont  BC.  There they spent time with their lifelong friends they met in Calgary. “The Gang” were known to play golf, enjoy cold beers on the beach and attend many events in the Shuswap community. Irv and Karen experienced many travel adventures crossing the globe to Irv’s ancestral home in Iceland, visiting friends in Germany and Italy and a last trip to Ireland. When the weather turned cold, they preferred the warm sun in Palm Springs, Arizona and Mexico. They also travelled to the east coast of Canada.

Irv enjoyed golfing with the men’s league at Anglemont Golf Course, working in his yard, and getting together with friends and family.

He will be unforgettable to all that loved him. In lieu of flowers a donation in Irv’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.