Wilfred Lovell of Mcivers remembered for positive outlook on life
GARY KEAN SALTWIRE NETWORK Wilfred Lovell may not be related to Corrina Green, but that will never stop her from referring to him as her uncle.
She and her two daughters started calling him Uncle Wilf when she was going out with Lovell’s nephew.
That relationship ended about six months ago, but the bond forged with Uncle Wilf is forever.
Lovell died Monday, just hours after being plucked from the frigid elements of the Northern Peninsula where he had been stranded since Friday. The 68-year-old from Mcivers, along with another man, Stan Rice of Mount Pearl, were lost after becoming separated from their snowmobiling group between Jackson’s Arm and Harbour Deep.
Rice, 64, was found Sunday and taken to hospital.
Green spent a lot of time with Lovell and his partner at their home in Mcivers, playing cards and celebrating special occasions, but saw him mostly at his beloved cabin in the Taylor’s Brook area. That’s where some of the best memories were made, whether moose hunting or just having a laugh, she said.
“He was really special,” said Green. “He always had a good spirit about him and was a positive person who always seen the good side of things.
“He was a friendly person who everybody knew. Everybody was happier when he was around. He just lifted everybody’s spirits.”
She recalled how Uncle Wilf would tease and make a big fuss over her daughters whenever he saw them.
“They always knew he would give them chocolate bar treats whenever they went to the cabin,” she said.
Green said she was in awe of Uncle Wilf’s knowledge and ability as an avid outdoorsman, and she would have gone into the woods with him any time.
For his family and all who knew him, the last several days have been hard, said Green.
The stress and worry about where he was has been overtaken by the grief of losing him.
Given the rugged terrain and the harsh conditions that hampered the search for him, Green said, there is some comfort in knowing Uncle Wilf is at least back with those who love him and miss him.
“They were lucky to have found him,” she said.
A funeral service for Lovell in Mcivers was been planned for today.