MEMORIAL OF
LANCE PHILLIPPE WHISSELL
APRIL 07, 1963 - FEBRUARY 13, 2021
Lance was born April 07, 1963, the eldest son of his parents Bonnie and Ronald Whissell of Westlock, AB. He passed away February 13, 2021 at the age of 58 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lance was baptized and had first communion by Monsignor Rooney who also had earlier baptized his father, Ronald. Lance attended St. Mary Catholic School in Westlock completing Grade 9 prior to moving to Edmonton. At an early age, Lance was “Unafraid“ and willing to trying anything and go anywhere and talk to anyone. Much of this outlook was derived from his parents, especially his mother Bonnie.
As a child Lance learned to ski with some skill at the Twatinaw Ski Club. And played Major Batam Hockey in Westlock under coach Art Waldner. After completing Grade 9 at St. Mary that spring, Lance decided at the age of “14” to leave unaccompanied to visit a friend and family in Accra, Ghana, Africa. Lance left via by air to Toronto, then Rome, stayed for three (3) days to visit. Lance departed Rome to Accra and upon arrival and clearing customs, Lance handed to his friend’s father Ralph a money belt containing $10,000 US which his parents were not aware of in order to help his friends in Africa. He did not want his parents to worry as what could happen, worst case the customs would just take the money, Lance alone with his friend then spent the next month visiting the various countries in middle Africa on their own. After moving to Edmonton, Lance attended Louis St. Laurent Catholic High School while playing hockey for SSAC Hockey Club Major Midget. Upon completion of High School and obtaining acceptance to the University of Alberta, Lance attended the New Westminster Bruins WCJH team known for its very rough style of hockey and made the team. To the dismay of the Coach, Lance decided he wanted to go to the University of Alberta. Lance graduated Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce with honors during which he was President of Zeta PSI. During that time, Lance, while at Big Sky Mountain met the love of his life, Ginger Van Viet Vaitkunas, for both, it was love at first site. Ginger and Lance got married 1987 in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral Basilica in Edmonton. Ginger and Lance made a great pair! Ginger and Lance moved to Toronto, first job to work for Frito-Lay which at the same time his mother Bonnie was there as a Property Manager. Then Ginger and Lance departed then to Vancouver for Ginger to complete her exams to be a Charted Accountant while Lance opened an Upscale Pizza Restaurant in downtown Vancouver, at the same time Lance worked with his mother Bonnie and her friend Linda McNeil (Baxandall) to create Miss BC, Miss Canada 1988-89. Ginger and Lance departed to Hong Kong in 1990. Lance started with a company that sourced Women’s products, both US brands, Mary Kay, Revlon, etc, from South Korea and China. It entailed a lot of work and an enormous amount of travel time. Lance went on his own sourcing for all kinds of products for his clients in USA, France, Italy and Canada while located in Shanghai, China. Ginger and Lance decide to depart from Shanghai and settle in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to seek new adventures. They decided to start a family. They settle at first in Singapore where their daughter, Madeleine, was born. George Elliott their son arrived two years later in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They had requested that Bonnie, Lance’s mother come to assist with the births, etc. Lance and his mother, Bonnie, managed a teak furniture factory in the middle of Indonesia, accessible only by plane. Lance’s mother Bonnie operated the various Teak Furniture retail stores in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a year. They travelled to Singapore, Thailand, China, Taiwan, etc. Soon after, Lance and Ginger wanted Madeleine and George to attend a Catholic School in the USA. Lance found a Rock Siding for Houses Business in Sacramento. Ginger and Lance and family moved to Truckee, CA as they wanted Madeleine and George to learn to ski which Lance then commuted daily to Sacramento. That lasted three (3) years due to the US economy, Lance gave the business to his Hispanic employees.
Ginger, Lance and Madeleine and George then returned back to Shanghai where Lance restarted another Sourcing Business. This time concentrated in China, Hong Kong and South Korea. Lance had approximately 40 employees working throughout China. He had arranged as in the past to supply and seal containers to the USA, Canada, Germany, etc. Again Lance was “Unafraid and willing to trying anything and go anywhere“, “would talk to anyone.” Just get it done! Finally, in 2015 Ginger, Lance and Madeleine and George returned back to Scottsdale for the children to complete their education in the US to prepare for US University. Lance commuted back and forth to Shanghai. Madeleine went to the private Xavier Catholic College in Phoenix for Grade 10 to 12 which kept up her Mandarin language and George went to the Notre Dame Junior and High School Grade 8 to 12. During part of this time Lance and his mother, Bonnie spent summers together travelling throughout Western USA selling left over Teak furniture and paintings. After four years of commuting, flying all over Asia, Coca Cola finally convince Lance to join their operations in Atlanta, Georgia. Ginger, Lance & George moved to Atlanta, Madeleine graduated and went to university. Lance new title was the head of Sourcing for Brazil, Middle East and Southern Europe for Coca Cola. Unfortunately, serious health problems set in.
Lance’s final wish, “If I die I want to be buried in Westlock RC Cemetery next to my Grandmother Burns and where my parents will be buried”. Lance was larger than life and lived life fearless and with adventure. He touched the lives of those around him and he is dearly missed. Rest eternally dear son, husband, father, and brother.
Wife and Children: Ginger, Madeleine, George, Parents: Bonnie (deceased), Ronald, Westlock, Brothers: Sean & Joan (Vancouver), Evan & Kim: Chelse, (Mesa, AZ), Sister: Andrea & Periklis Tsahageas, Giannis, Alexandros & Anuk. Kifisia Greece, Uncles: George Eric Whissell, Brian Laurin Whissell, and Aunt Rita Whissell: Uncle David Burns and Aunt Judy Burns along with many cousins, aunts, friends, employees, etc.
