Tribute

Henry (Hank) Todd was born to Harry and Lottie Todd on King Road in Abbotsford (formerly Matsqui); he was one of six children; Nina, Johnny, Marjorie, Kenny, Hughey, and Henry.  Raised on a farm throughout his childhood, Hank helped his dad raise sheep and maintain the farm.  In 1952, he worked at an autobody shop until he was 16. It was at this same body shop in 1958 when he indirectly met the love of his life, (then Marjorie Laughlin) who had apparently noticed a tall, handsome man just past the shop doors. They later met eyes again and went for a date in Hunter Creek for a coffee. A year later, in ’59, Hank married Marjorie and began what became a 63-year union together. Hank was just getting started though. He left the farming life behind and went into the trucking industry at 18, working on his first major project, helping build the power lines in the Sumas Prairie. He went on to haul materials for even bigger projects, such as the Abbotsford Mission Bridge, the Kelowna Bridge and numerous other major roads and highways throughout Mainland British Columbia. In 1974, Hank started his own trucking company, Toddler’s Trucking, owning his truck for 20 years.  Hank loved to fish just as much as he did being out in nature and visiting lakes such as Barnes Lake and Logan Lake  – he loved camping even more, visiting family and seeing all his grandkids.  In 1980, Hank and his wife became involved with the Gifford Chapel, a community gathering place, Sunday school, music venue and known for its great fellowship. In 1987, the Gifford Chapel was disbanded, but that didn’t stop the Todds from maintaining their community involvement and their faith. In 1987, Hank also took part in the construction of the then-new Gladwin Heights United Church, a place he kept very close to heart for the rest of his life. In ’88, he became involved with the Trinity Lutheran Church; faith was always important to Hank – it meant security and strength. In ’94, Hank retired; he sold his business, leaving behind a rich trucking career filled with colourful and illustrious memories that he enjoyed sharing with his grandkids in his later years.
Even in retirement, Hank kept busy. He joined a model train club, nursing his passion for trains; he also took woodwork more seriously, eventually creating furniture, toys and fixtures out of wood, not only as a passion, but as a means to a side business, Todd’s Country Crafts. Hank’s biggest passion of all, as many who knew him would agree, was telling stories. Every detail, every person he met throughout his life was carefully peppered throughout his conversations – he always did enjoy a good story about a good truck. Hank, aged 87, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2022, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Marjorie Todd, and three children, Cliff (and Brenda), Dawn (and John), and Andrew (and Keith), four grandkids and four great grandkids.
A service will be held in his memory at the Trinity Lutheran Church on May 28.