News of Vance’s passing came to me today and I would like to send my condolences to Vance’s family. I knew Vance through a workout session at Heritage fitness in the mid 90’s. His humour and and smile, just a an overall joy for people and life was his signature.

My last visit with him was in his backyard for a BBQ in the winter of 2001 before moving back to Ottawa. He could always create a joyful casual setting to stimulate the mind and body… We sat in his hot tub drinking cold Perriers and laughed amongst the snowflakes coming down. It was a peaceful relaxing evening spent with a friend. I know you are a peace now.

Cheers My Friend

My Dear Friend Vance,

It was just a few weeks ago we had lunch at Kam Han’s, one of the many places I have no doubt you enjoyed immensely.

Vance, we always talked of many things, but it kept coming back to your family and how you knew life was on a good road for you.

It was 18 years ago we met in our respective parts-departments, and formed a friendship that will last the ages to be sure.

Amy – I met you briefly while standing in your back lane, admiring the volume of cool stuff you and Vance had purchased weeks before. I could see the gleam in Vances’ eye when he spoke of you and then saw the true love he felt when in your presence, he will always be a part of all of those who met Vance, a true energy he remains.

Jule’s, while I never met you personally, I did hear of you warmly with stories from Vance, many many times. Vance is an amazing father, remember your dad in many ways, especially knowing he touched my life and made it better as a friend.

I will miss him here in the physical form, but we can be warmed by knowing that he is part of a much larger energy surrounding all of us.

Steven & Brenda Bell

Amy, I am so glad that you found joy with Vance even it was for a brief time. It is terribly hard to see stars on a cloudy evening – take the time you need to experience this loss and know that there are so many people who love you and will support you.

I will pray for you and your family.

A phonecall from Vance

Me: Hello Duane here

Vance: Hello Duane….This is Agent Williamson from Canada Revenue Service Criminal Fraud Investigations branch. We’ve noticed you have had a large increase in income and haven’t paid any taxes.

Me: no that’s not true

Vance: You cant lie to the government we have been watching your account very closely for 5 years now. We think you have been funneling money to subversive elements of society and we want our share of the taxes on it.

Me: Who is this….really

Vance : Agent Williamson Canada Revenue Service Criminal Fraud Investigations Branch.

Me: I don’t believe you

Vance: You have a fancy home, a really expensive truck, ATVs and boats….we know you have gained those illegally and intend to seize it all for payment on your taxes. You obviously haven’t paid enough

Me: Hi Vance

Vance: (laughing now) Who is Vance…..( laughing even harder ) How ya doing bud

Vance always had a unique way of introducing himself and loved those practical jokes over the phone. Just recently he went into my office and introduced himself as a Revenue Canada collector to my staff when I wasn’t there…he never let them off the hook only giving them his cell number for me to call when I arrived. They still think I’m in trouble with Revenue Canada LOL

I’m sure he is still doing the practical jokes in heaven

God: Hello

Vance: Hello this is God

God: No….I am God

Vance: No you can’t be…. I make people laugh and love and bring joy to all I touch

God: So do I

Vance: So you agree …I am God

God: I could use a guy with a sense of humor like yours

RIP Vance….the world is a sadder place without your presence but I am really glad to have called you a friend while you were here

· 1999 Vance contacted the University of Calgary for a case study to be done on a business plan he had (a store selling health care / lifestyle products for an aging population)

· Vance started his Oil & Gas career with Lufkin Industries, selling pump jacks, and won awards for sales

· Being in Calgary, he loved the O&G industry and not only developed a great reputation, but developed many strong friendships and business alliances

· Vance set up Orion Industries. Took it from a start-up concept to a multi-million dollar business in 2 – 3 years (I forget the exact details)

· The sale of Orion created some challenges that would cripple even the most seasoned business executive……..Vance weathered the storm

· Vance was a true entrepreneur at heart. He was always looking for / thinking about business ideas both domestically and internationally

· Vance spent some time with an O&G company (Amy, I forget the name) managing their overseas operations / negotiations. Vance was successful securing a number of new deals

· Vance dabbled in a number of things in hunt of an extra buck, and his love for “doing the deal”. Even of late, Vance toyed around the liquidation world and bought a few containers. He probably has a few pair of jeans kicking around if anyone needs any.

· Vance was a man of action and always liked to “be involved”

Vance’s special qualities:

· A kind loving friend, father, and Calgarian. He was always available to help anyone (except perhaps his neighbour to the north) ha ha!!

· Vance loved Jewels so much and was his best little friend in this world

· He was very hospitable and made people feel special when they were guests in his house. Often times, he would like to give his guests little gifts (i.e. home preserves, trinkets, etc.)

· He was always so proud of things he had on the go. He would show his friends what he had on the go and was like a kid in a toy store

· He had a warm and sincere sense of humor

· Always took the time to talk with people and take a sincere interest in how things were going in their world. He would call Randal in Victoria and talk to the daughter that answered for a half hour talking about sports, school, and BOYS

· Always took the high road and never stooped to a level other’s might have given the difficult circumstances

· Had an optimistic outlook in life and always viewed the glass half full. He was inspirational to many with his approach to adversities in life (and unfortunately, he had a few in the later years)

· Vance had everyone’s birthday and anniversary programed in his phone. With people being so busy in their own lives, Vance made sure people never forgot their own birthdays

· And with regards to technology, he loved to send out e-mails / texts with things of interest. Some were interesting, some were inspiriting, and some were a little raunchy, but that was Vance ha ha!

· Vance treated people the way he would like to be treated, and Vance treated people very good

Vance, we know you are listening in on this gathering / celebration because you were “never one to miss a good party”. Vance we love , miss you, and wish you well in the next chapter of your journey!

To the Milne family & friends. I am so sorry for your loss. This news deeply saddens me. I met Vance back in 2008 when I was managing the Glenmore Landing Starbucks location. We have stayed connected ever since. He was such a great guy. He always had a smile on his face. He even brought his son in a few times so we could all meet him. My prayers & thoughts are with you & everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.

While working with Rose Integration, I really enjoyed Vance’s energetic and fun personality – always quick with a joke. A man with diverse interests. He will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.

Graham

Rose Integration

I would like to offer my deepest and sincere sympathy to the Milne family. I was Jule’s preschool teacher at the JCC, and I got to see Jule’s family and grandparents over the course of my time there. I also saw Jules from time to time when he started elementary school and we got a treat at Dairy Queen. This will be a difficult time for all of you, but especially for you Jules. My heart goes out to you in your grief, and please know that I love you and that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I do not know you Amy, but thank you for letting me know about Vance’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Betty Woodhouse

Dear Amy and family

My thoughts and prayers are with you as you journey through losing a

very dear and special man. May it comfort you to know that others are

sharing your loss . Keep memories of him front and centre as they will

see you through the rough times. Bless you!

You will always be remembered as a great and loyal friend. With your intelligence and ability to create relationships, you were an excellent businessman. The lasting memory I will have is your love and caring attitude towards Junior and your family. You were a great friend putz, who was taken far too early. You’ll always be missed buddy.

-JP

We just spoke on Saturday Sept. 20th. Thank god for that! I loved Vance, and who he was, kind, funny, generous, and compassionate. I will miss his phone calls, he called on birthdays and anniversaries, never missed. He called just to talk, about his life, and you Amy and Jules, he loved you both with all his being. I have known Vance for 29yrs. How I will miss the hugs, and his smile and our talks ! The world is sadder without Vance, and I for one, will miss him beyond words. Amy, please know that you can call anytime, I am here for you. Thinking of you and the family, and friends with sincere heart felt condolences. Love Shirley & Don

Amy – I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. My gosh this comes as a huge surprise. You both always beamed around each other. My deepest condolences to you and your loved ones

OMG.

Vance was one of the few people who understood me & versa. We communicated last week to wish him Happy birthday. You know, he’d always call on my birthday and my wife’s. I love ya, Vance.

Scott

I enjoyed working with Vance in the past and with his help I was able to help someone find a career through the Mentoring program for trades that he was involved with.

He will be missed by many that he has helped in the past. my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Kim

So very sorry for your loss! Vance was always a pleasure to get together with I only wish we had taken advantage of more of those opportunities. Vance will surely be missed.

Met Vance in early 2012, the guy never stopped smiling or telling a joke. Always made me laugh. My thoughts are with his family as you go through this remember his smile and his big laugh.

-RIP

I met Vance 20 yrs ago, a great guy, tons of fun and lots of laughs. I just talked to him last month about meeting up for a coffee. We never did, and now my regret….RIP Vance you are a great guy, that loved to make people laugh, I’m still smiling thinking of our last conversation :) <3 My condolances to your family at this tragic time.

My condolences to your family. I knew Vance for only a short period of time and found him to be a caring, kind and plesant neighbour. He will be missed by all his friends in the neigbourhood.

With my deepest heartfelt sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Vance.

He will be missed.

Michelle Brunner

May God grant the comfort to bear the loss. Vance will greatly be missed. He meant a lot to my family and all our business associates .

May his gentle soul rest in peace. RIP

We are so sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathy.

Please accept our deepest sympathy on Vance’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very emotional and sad time.

I was deeply saddened by the news of Vance’s passing. My heart felt condolences to you and your family.

“What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.”

I Will always remember you Vance. I hope you are in a better place and happy. Watching us from up there and sharing with us all our moments. My condolence to the family

Oh Amy, I am so very sorry to hear of Vance’s passing. I did not know that you were married to Vance. I will miss Vance’s enthusiasm and optimistic outlook about everything. I always enjoyed talking with him. Even though we were just starting to establish a business relationship, I could tell he was a fine man. I wish only the best for you and your son. Respectfully, Wayne S. Forrey, Boise, Idaho USA

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many friends. Our love and support will always be here for you. Vance would do anything for his son, family and friends. Vance can now see us all everyday and walks beside us every step of the way.

So sorry for your great loss of Vance. He will be missed by many!

God Bless,

Allan

Oh, my gosh, he will be missed, and what a nice guys he was, always kidding around.

We would like to send a Condolence, he was a great inspiration for us and others, always happy and an optimist like no one else, way too early RIP Vance.

We will miss him, Mike and Andrea.

We have known Vance for over 20 years and will always remember him as a loving dad, good friend and happy person. We will miss his smiling face, silly jokes and ever present enthusiasm for life.

Vance, you were a good friend and we will miss you!

Tim & Heather Drougge

Vance was a man of so many words and smiles. He kept me laughing and I enjoyed every moment with him. He was a new friend and partner, that I didn’t have a lot of time to get to know and work with, but in the time I shared with him it was memorable. A good man left this earth far too soon, but I know he’ll have the angels in Heaven laughing and smiling as he tells his countless jokes. My prayers and sympathies go out to you and your family. I hope that you have the opportunity to celebrate the life of a great man, who will be missed.

I am very sorry to hear the loss for the family, its a bit of shock, seemed like I was just talking with him and suppose to meet up with him for coffee while I was in Calgary, God Bless to the family and may he rest in peace.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

So sad to hear this news.

Tammy

Rose Integration Ltd.

My thoughts an prayers are with you all your time of loss. God bless .

It was with great sadness our that our family learned that our wonderful friend Vance has left us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Vance’s family, but especially for Jules. Our family will miss Vance for his humour, his generosity and his irreverent optimism. Until we meet again dear friend.

To Vance’s family, I am so sorry to hear about Vance’s untimely death. I met him and Jules at the Jewish Centre . He was a warm wonderful man. I am sorry. To Jules, I hope you can keep the good memories in your heart.

Vance was a dear friend. We met while at SAIT and continued a wonderful friendship. His Joie de vivre was infectious! He had a huge heart and wanted the best for all. We’ll always have the warmest place in our hearts for him. His spirit lives on… and our prayers go out to all of his loved ones. Rest in peace our friend.. God Bless and love to all

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this terrible time. Vance was one of a kind. He just beamed every time he spoke about Vance junior.

Bill

My dear friends Shona, Michael, Amy, Jules — our deepest and most sincere sympathy goes to all of you in this horrible time in your lives. Vance was a man full of humour – he loved his family, and he certainly loved you, little Jules. He struggled hard the last part of his life, and may God be with him now, and take all his stresses and struggles away from him, so he can be at peace now.

Love to all of you, and may each day pass with just a little more peace for all of you, and may the great memories of Vance shine through everything else for all of you.

Love Wayne, Beverley, Katie & Nic, Carlie and Jodie and Matt — xoxo

Our Dear Friends Amy and Bailie:

Our deepest sympathy at this time. If there is anything you need, let me know.

Love you lots.

Heather, Samantha and Emily

Sympathy sayings seem so impersonal at times, so I am here to tell you that I love you and my heart is broken from what you are dealing with. I will continue to call you daily and make sure you are being bothered by a voice that loves you.

May the light shine on your family during this dark time.

Love/hugs

Sandy