PEARSALL: Victor Hugh Pearsall, S.O.M. Formerly of Cochin, Saskatchewan and late of Edam, Saskatchewan, Vic died at Edam on September 25, 2011 at the age of 96 years. Born in Luseland, Saskatchewan, on March 31, 1915, Vic spent a lifetime as an entrepreneur in rural and northern Saskatchewan. At the age of 15 he became a film projectionist in his father's movie theatre and for seven years joined him as an itinerant film exhibitor bringing the first talking films to many Saskatchewan communities in west central Saskatchewan: primarily south of Highway #16. From 1937 to 1947 Vic operated his own cinema business, both itinerant and in permanent locations, bringing welcome entertainment to isolated rural communitues in west central and northwest Saskatchewan north of Highway #16. Also at the age of 15 Vic began taking flying lessons and successfully passed all flying tests and exams while still 15 years old. Three days after his 16th birthday, he was issued with his private pilot's license thereby becoming the youngest person so far to have been so qualified. For a number of years Vic was involved in recreational flying and barnstorming before he began a 10 year career as a bush pilot in northern Saskatchewan. He operated out of Cree Lake where he established, owned and managed one of the first fly-in fishing camps in northern Saskatchewan primarily catering to American fisherman. Vic operated a number of other businesses ventures including a fish filleting and freezing plant at the north end of Cree Lake for which he had to construct a landing strip. Vic married the former Lydia Violet Kunz and he and Lydia operated a resort in Cochin which they built up as a tourist centre serviced by Lydia's Cafe, a motel, the busiest summer beer parlor in Saskatchewan, a dance hall, go-carts and a playground with trampolines. Other than winters in Florida and Vancouver, Vic continued to live in his and Lydia's home following Lydia's death in 2002 until he moved to Edam in 2009. Vic earned a reputation across northern Saskatchewan for his pioneering achievements in aviation, his unique contributions to the development of the north and his dedication and generosity to the well-being of other northern residents. Vic allowed his pilot's license to lapse in 2008 having flown for the last time in the summer of 2007. At the time of lapse, he was 93 and was then the oldest person to have held a private Canadian pilot's license thereby making him the person who held a private Canadian pilot's license for the longest period of time: 76 years. As well as having the Government of Saskatchewan name Pearsall Lake after him in 1986, Vic has received the following recognitions: Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Western Canada Aviation Hall of Fame, Saskatchewan Aviation Museum Hall of Fame, North Battleford Wall of Fame, The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, Luseland Pioneer of the Year, and the Canadian Owners' and Pilots' Association Award of Merit. Vic's parents were Joseph Hugh Pearsall and Bertha Higgins. He is survived by: His sister, Lola Holmes (Sid), Vancouver, British Columbia; His brother, Ralph Pearsall, Vancouver, British Columbia; A nephew, Ken Kunz (Ann Senko), Delta, British Columbia; A nephew, Frank Kunz, Edmonton, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; A nephew, Dene Holmes (Elizabeth), Sudbury, Ontario; A nephew, Aubrey Holmes (Wannee), North Vancouver, British Columbia and Bangkok, Thailand. Burial of Vic's cremated remains will be at 10 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the City Cemetery in North Battleford. A program of rememberance will be held in the Cochin Community Hall commencing at 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 15, 2011 to be followed by a lunch and a time for reflection and the renewal of friendships. In lieu of flowers, Vic's family asks that consideration be given to a donation to Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, P.O Box 1358, North Battleford, SK, S9A 3L8. Electronic messages of condolence may be sent to sallowsandmcdonalfuneralhome.com and follow the links. Hard copy messages may be sent c/o Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funerral Home, 1271-103rd Street, North Battleford, Saskatchewan, S9A 1K7 ____________________________________________________
