June 13, 1938 - January 5, 2024
In loving memory ~
With sad hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our father at Langley Memorial Hospital on January 5, 2024.
Dalton came to B.C. from Swan River, Manitoba in 1958 to fulfill his true passion, horses! It had started with the family dray business in Swan River, and quickly became his life-long career as a horse trainer, first at the Buster Bain Farm in Pitt Meadows, then at Maple Ridge riding center and on to a very successful career at Hastings Park Racecourse, where he also managed the feedstore for many years.
Dalton married Ann Cunningham in 1965 and together they raised their family of Louise, Diane and Dalton on a small farm in Langley. He was very involved in his community, starting the Willoughby Saddle Club, president of the Willoughby Hall Society, and a long-time member of the Fort Langley Historical Museum. Upon retiring from the racetrack, he went back to his true passion as a teamster with Tiny and Tim, our team of Belgium heavy horses. They could be seen all over the Fraser Valley at weddings, pumpkin patches, parades and Fairs or just touring Historic Fort Langley.
Dalton's kindness, humor, storytelling and love of his grandkids made him a favorite in the neighborhood. Every Christmas he would hitch up a team and away we would go, picking up anyone who wanted to join, and we sang Christmas carols to the ring of the brass sleigh bells. Magical. His harness and many pictures are displayed at the Fort Langley Historical Museum for everyone to enjoy, along with his old Farmall tractor.
Dalton was predeceased by his wife Ann, parents, Margaret and William Rooks, brothers and sisters; Alma (John) Verrault, John (Alice) Rooks, Florence (Walter) Hrappstead, Jessie (Jack) Ashcroft, Bob (Mae) Rooks, Alex (Effie) Rooks, Margaret (Bruce) Eiffert, George (Anne) Rooks, Clifford Rooks, Myrtle (Don) McQuarrie, Isabelle (Russel) Hawkins, Dorothy (John) Yaschyshyn and many beloved extended family and friends.
Left to mourn are his loving family; Daughter Louise; Jenny (Jesse), Liam, Cohen; Joanna (Don), Colton, Kaden; Caitlyn (Kyle), Jaxson, Olivia, Ella; Daughter Diane (Bevan), Bryn, Mikeelea; Son Dalton (Jennifer), Jessica(Colby), Luke, Renley; Chelsea (John), Brighton, Alex, Julia; Daughter-in-law Danalynn (Mike); and many beloved extended family and friends.
Dalton will be laid to rest in the Birchwood Cemetery, Swan River, Manitoba. A Celebration of life will take place in Langley, B.C and Swan River, MB this summer.