February 4, 1933 - September 27, 2020
Archie passed away peacefully at Nanaimo Regional Hospital with his niece Cyndi Knill by his side. Archie was pre-deceased by his parents David and Margaret Knill and his siblings, Erle, Murray, Ron, Joyce and Donna. He is survived by his sister Jean Hilton and her husband Roy of Kitchener, Ontario, he will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Archie was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, he left Brantford in 1958 for British Columbia, his path was directed to Imperial Oil in 1960, Archie spent the next 27 years with Esso, working in geophysical surface drilling and managing transportation.
Archie loved anything that "moved", airplanes, boats, cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, heavy equipment; he considered himself lucky that he was able to live his love of transportation with his work with Esso.
Archie was posted in many northern locations, Fort Nelson, Fort McPherson, Inuvik (McKenzie Delta), Resolute Bay, four years in Singapore and completing his career in Cold Lake, Alberta.
After 27 years of service in 1987 Imperial Oil made an offer he could not refuse and retired from his beloved "Mother Esso" and moved to Atlin, British Columbia to a beautiful wooded 2-acre property. Archie drove the Atlin Express bus for nine years, bringing mail, supplies and people between Atlin and Whitehorse. He was the unofficial Ambassador of Atlin, he loved to ask people "Where are you from?" and show off the amazing town of Atlin.
Archie had arrived in Nanaimo, BC on September 10th to spend the winter and return back to Atlin for the summer, he said many times over the last few months, I will not spend another winter in the north, his wish was fulfilled.
Throughout his lifetime, he always had a camera in tow, there is a fantastic legacy that will be shared with the world of his photography and films. Stay tuned....
Archie has requested no service; his ashes will be going home to Atlin. Archie loved to look at the sky and admire the clouds, stop, look up into the sky, pick a cloud and think of Archie Knill.
In remembrance Archie had suggested donations to:
Atlin Supportive Living Society
Address: P.O. Box 347
Atlin B.C.
V0W 1A0
Archie's family would like to thank the teams at Nanaimo Regional Hospital in Emergency and Palliative care, they treated Archie with great care and respect.
Archie's favorite goodbye, Happy Motoring....