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Len grew up watching and dreaming about boats and fishing on
 the Fraser River
and he developed an appreciation for history while playing in
and around the old 'Fort'. As a child he was surrounded by a
loving and caring family including two sisters, Marge and
Shirley, many close friends, and an extended family, especially
a favourite uncle, Uncle Stan English. Although it was the
depression, it was an ideal setting for a young boy to grow up
and develop independence and an adventuresome spirit.
During World War II Len trained as a general serviceman, a
driver and a wireless operator and went overseas in January
1945. When the war ended Len had to wait until July 1946 to be
sent home because those who had served longer were sent home
fist. Len was delighted to spend the year in England and France
representing the Canadian Army.
Back in Fort Langley he bought a gill net boat and fished in
1946 and 1947. After selling the boat he traveled to Whitehorse
and got a job on the steamboats. Over the next few seasons Len
worked his way up the steamboat ladder on many boats including
the Klondike, Aksala, Nasutlin, Keno and Casca, eventually
becoming the second- mate on the Keno and later the Casca. 1952
was the last season for Len on the steamboats as the era had
come to an end. Len landed a job working for the Air Force as a
powerhouse operator at the airport in Teslin where he worked
from 1953 to 1960.
TOP
He met Lillyan Rudolf and they were married on July 21, 1956.
Earlier that month they had purchased the Nisutlin Trading Post.
A few years later Len was able to buy property behind the store
overlooking the lake and mountains. He built a house and lived
in it for the rest of his days.
Len and Lillyan had a daughter, Millie, and a son, Len. Life in
Teslin centered around work in Nisutlin Trading Post and Len had
brief stints serving on the Teslin L.I.D. As often as possible
the young family had Sunday picnics at Sand Point or Beaver
Creek and made camping and fishing trips down the lake, up the
river or over to Haines, Alaska. Moose hunting trips up the
Nisutlin River to Horseshoe Pond became an annual fall ritual as
was hunting geese and ducks on the Nisutlin Delta. Up until last
year Len never missed a year of hunting moose in all the time he
lived in Teslin.
As the store got busier Lillyan needed more help and Len quit
the job as powerhouse operator. More employees were added
including Liz Martychuk in the early 1960s. On New Years Day in
1978 Len and Lillyan sold the Nisutlin Trading Post to Bob and
Evelyn Hassard.
Beginning in 1985 grandchildren began to arrive. Thomas was born
in January to Len and Sarah followed by Matthew in June to
Millie and Andy. Justine, Jonathan, and Michael were added to
the new Usher family and Timothy and David became Matthew's new
siblings. Len and Lillyan took immense pleasure in their
grandchildren.
Len and Lillyan were selected as Mr. and Mrs. Yukon at the
annual Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous in 1984. They were perfect
ambassadors for the Yukon.
TOP
In April 1988 Lillyan was diagnosed with cancer and she passed
away in July of that year. Len's life and the life of the whole
family were changed forever. He and Lillyan had been a team both
at work and at home.
Len needed an interest to fill time in his retirement. He found
a 32 foot handmade plywood and fiberglass riverboat. He bought
the boat, brought it home and spent hours and days painting and
fixing his new acquisition. By August of 1990 the riverboat had
a new 50 horse Johnson outboard, a galley, pilothouse, and bunks
and he was ready to relive his riverboat days and re-explore the
Yukon River. He departed from Teslin Lake and traveled down
Teslin River to Hootaliqua where the Yukon River flows down to
Dawson City. Len spent a month on his own exploring old camps
and historic sites, reliving the glory days of the riverboats.
Each year thereafter he was a tour guide to another friend or
family member as they explored the Yukon River through his
stories and memories of the late 40s and early 50s. During the
cold falls the boat was warm and dry and enabled Len to navigate
the Nisutlin River late into the season. Len managed his last
trip on the Nisutlin last September with his family in the
patched up old riverboat.
During the last year as Len became more sick and frail from
cancer Len and Sarah, Millie and Andy, his seven grandchildren
and many friends including Ken Anderson had the privilege of
time to prepare for his passing. Month of conversations,
memories and stories were rehashed. His stories were always
filled with humour, and honesty. He never needed to embellish
the tales, the facts of the stories were important and made the
memories more real. His children, Len and Millie, constantly
acknowledged and demonstrated the loyalty, gentleness and love
that had been the foundation of their lives. Each day and night
as they said goodbye to each other it was wonderful to witness
the loving bond between father and son, between father and
daughter.
Rest in peace Len |
