Leonard (Len) Blundell

Leonard (Len) Blundell, or as some of you knew him, Knuckles, was my amazing dad, a loving husband and an incredible friend, brother, uncle and son. The mark he left on the world will never be matched. He was an amazing person and everyone who had the pleasure of having him in their lives knew it. On Sunday December 28th at the age of 73 years, dad decided he had had enough and was ready to go be with his mom and dad and siblings whom he loved so dearly. And if we are being honest, he probably missed getting into passionate debates with anyone so he went and tracked down his best friend Terry Fanning as well.

Dad loved many things including old western and World War 2 movies and documentaries. There wasn’t a sport, other than golf that he didn’t watch or take interest in. He was a huge supporter of women’s hockey and loved to watch the world juniors every winter. He also loved music. If you knew my dad you know his love for music ran deep. He loved music from the 50’s,60’s and 70’s the most but was also known to love Shakira. Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, The Bee Gees, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and Dean Martin are just some of the voices he loved to listen to. Long ago he made up a game that really only he enjoyed where he asked you to quickly name who sings whatever song was playing and then would promptly tell you who it was before you could even answer. Dad enjoyed playing music in every way imaginable over the years, from records to tapes to 8 tracks to his Sirius radio and his beloved Google Home mini. Dad was always the DJ for Friday night darts or any gathering at the house. He took pride in playing good music and entertaining people. Friday night darts were a staple in our household for years. Great friends were made and the happiest of times were had. Among many talents, dad was a skilled dart player and loved to share tips and coach others in how to throw the perfect dart. Dad was always a homebody but he knew how to party and make everyone feel welcomed. You could always find dad with a beer in his hand leaning on the deck rails or his music cabinet.

He was the king of dad jokes and fart jokes. His main goal in life was to make people laugh. He was ridiculously funny and was quick with his humour. A skill he proudly passed onto his hilarious daughter. He was a lover of inappropriate shirts, fart soundtrack cd’s, funny dog and cat videos online, his pets among so many other things.

Throughout his life dad found so much joy in being outside. He loved fishing (although he never really caught anything), camping and being on the water boating. Some of his happiest memories were going camping and fishing with his dad when he was younger and he made sure to continue the tradition of camping with my mom and eventually me when I came along. Leaving the 108 to work in Vernon was a big change for the family but a happy one as it led to dad working a job he loved dearly and making friends that turned into family. Dad seemed to make friends everywhere he went. He took great pride in working for the City of Vernon in the parks and recreation departments. Spending the summers trimming trees and taking care of Polson Park and when winter rolled around he loved taking care of the ice arenas and driving the Zamboni. A little-known fact about my dad was that he was an excellent ice skater and was even invited to join the Ice Follies back in the day.

His generosity and kindness were something he never bragged about but were evident to anyone who knew him. His generosity went too far sometimes and he would commonly give away mine and my moms things at a whim to anyone he thought might need it more. I still hold a grudge about my adult sized gorilla he gave away when I was 7, but I guess I’ll have to take it up with him later.

Dad was a foodie in the most limited way possible. He was a connoisseur of lasagna and spaghetti. If we are being honest, pasta was his main food group and he should have been Italian. Although having an Italian as his wife was good enough for him.

Although he never really watched Star Wars, dad had proclaimed himself as Yoda and took pride in having the wisdom to answer any problem. His memory was incredible. He could tell you who played in the CFL or NHL in the 60’s and took great pride in naming full teams of players and scores of games from back in the day. He remembered everyone’s birthdays, loved ones’ names, and details about life that nobody else could remember. He loved to reminisce and talk about the good old days.

Len was predeceased by his lovely parents (Maurice and Gwyneth), his brother (Dave) and his two sisters (Maureen and Lee). Keeping his memory alive are his loving wife (Charlene), daughter (Nicole) and son in law (Mitchell), sister (Karen) and brothers (Gary and Doug), as well as dozens of nieces and nephews, brother and sister in laws and cousins. Len loved his family more than anything in the world and he would want them and everyone else who knew him to be at peace with his passing, knowing he’s not in pain anymore and is working on some new jokes to tell you when he sees you again.

A celebration of life will be held at 12:30pm on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at the Armstrong Legion (2526 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Armstrong). Bring your darts if you have them and share some stories. If you wish, Donation boxes for Len’s 2 favourite charities will be on site in lieu of flowers.

For those who wish to do so, you may make a donation in memory of Len to Kids Sport Vernon or N.O.Y.F.S.S.(North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society).

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: