HISTORY: Families and People: P | PEARCE

Claude and Betty Pearce lived in a cabin close to where Tanya Grafton’s house now stands on the southeast side of Mission Creek not far from the north side of the highway. Claude had served in World War II, and then driven a taxi in Kelowna. He was a severe diabetic in bad health by the time he and his wife moved to Joe Rich, but he loved to be with the people of the valley. He showed up at every fire practice though he couldn’t really participate. He was made a member of the Fire Department anyway and looked after some of the ‘Joe Jobs’. On his birthday, the Joe Rich people put on a party for him. He was overwhelmed and said that if he lived a hundred years that would have been the best day of his life. Claude kept diary goats that he loved.

He and Betty had two children. Their son committed suicide here in Joe Rich which gave the parents unimaginable grief. The daughter became Mrs. Laboucaine.

Claude died in 1988 at the age of 69.

Claude and Betty Pearce - 1985