October 28, 1948 - February 27, 2025
Terry Britton, a man whose life was a masterclass in service, dedication, and heart, passed away at the age of 76, on February 27, 2025.
Born on October 28, 1948, in Edmonton, Alberta, Terry made his mark on this world in a way few ever do. He wasn’t just a man of many talents - he was a man of action. He trained in a variety of careers, from culinary school to becoming a member of the RCMP. But, it wasn't until he became a firefighter that it felt right, and he served as one for 29 years. He didn’t just fight fires; he built bonds, he led with integrity, and he spent 18 years standing tall in the Honour Guard, ensuring those who served were never forgotten. Outside of uniform, (and for over 40 years), Terry dedicated himself to the Okanagan Sun junior football team, shaping young athletes, not just in sport but in life. For 30 years, he also patrolled the snowy slopes of Big White Ski Resort with the Canadian Ski Patrol, ensuring safety for those chasing adventure. Speaking of adventure, well, that was Terry’s second nature. Hiking, skiing, biking, swimming - if it was outdoors, he was in his element.
Beyond the endless hours of service and volunteering, Terry was a family man. For 48 years, he shared a love story with Sheila, one built on laughter, respect, and a bit of playful stubbornness. He was the proud father of Sarah (Cedric) and David (Audra) and the adoring grandfather of Cole and Calla, who knew him not just as Papa but as their biggest cheerleader. He also leaves behind his siblings: Carl, Karen, Tanis, and Lee, who knew him first as the brother who could always be counted on, and later as the man whose presence filled a room with warmth and humour,

Terry’s life was one of purpose, of giving more than he ever took, and of ensuring that no one (not friend, stranger, or teammate) ever felt alone. His significance isn’t just in the places he served; it’s in the people he touched, the community he strengthened, and the stories we’ll tell for years to come.
So, let’s not say goodbye. Let’s say thank you. Thank you, Terry, for showing us what it means to serve with honour, to love without reservation, and to live without regret.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kelowna Firefighters Charitable Society, kelownafirefighters.com.

A Celebration of Life, will be held on FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM (PDT), at Trinity Church. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service, a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

To view the Livestream recording or send the family condolences, please visit the obituary page at www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/britton-terry (click matching link below).

Link: www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/britton-terry

Published by Loomly 

With our final LOI for 2025, The Okanagan Sun are very excited to announce the addition of JaQuintis Summers

Name: JaQuintis Summers

Position: Defensive Line

Hometown: Prichard, Alabama

Previous Team: Lane College (@laneathletics)

Powered By: Kelowna Chevrolet

Artwork: Undrdog Media

Published by Loomly

The Okanagan Sun are pleased to announce the commitment of Shawn Basran (@shawnbasran64)

Name: Shawn Basran (@shawnbasran64)

Position: Offensive Line

Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.

High School: Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary (@mbss.football)

Powered By: Kelowna Chevrolet

Photo's & Artwork: Undrdog Media

Published by Loomly

The Okanagan Sun are excited to announce the return of Tariq Brown (@tariqbrown_)

“His veteran leadership and athleticism is going to be a big addition for our secondary” - Head Coach Travis Miller (@travis_miller92)

Welcome back Tariq!

Powered By: Kelowna Chevrolet

Photo and Artwork: Undrdog Media

Published by Loomly

The Okanagan Sun are very excited to announce the addition of Isaiah Ricketts (@iamisaiahricketts)

Name: Isaiah Ricketts (@iamisaiahricketts)

Position: Defensive Back

Hometown: Mississauga, ONT

Previous Team: Waterloo University (@wlooftb)

Powered By: Kelowna Chevrolet

Artwork: Undrdog Media

Published by Loomly 

The Okanagan Sun are very excited to announce the addition of DeAndre La-Lowe (@deandrelalowe)

Name: DeAndre La-Lowe (@deandrelalowe)

Position: Defensive Back

Hometown: Shelburne, ONT

Previous Team: Waterloo University (@wlooftb)

Powered By: Kelowna Chevrolet

Artwork: Undrdog Media

Sarah Britton

Thanks to all who sent messages, texts, calls and thoughts for dad. I did read everything to dad before he passed.

His celebration of life has now been set for Friday March 14th @ 11:00 am at Trinity Baptist.

We will also be live streaming. Link will be posted as soon 

Sheila (Mom) has also asked that everyone share a memory they have of dad on memory cards that will be provided. So consider this your warning and time to think of a good one!

The Okanagan Sun are very excited to announce the addition of Elijah Hartley (@elijahartley)

Name: Elijah Hartley (@elijahartley)

Position: Receiver

Hometown: Ajax, Ontario

Previous Team: Western University (@westernufootball)

Published by Loomly

Powered By: Kelowna Chevrolet

Artwork: Undrdog Media

SPRING CAMP is around the corner.

Click the link to register!

https://forms.gle/ZQ7xmo8JXgUpqUyB6

Powered By: Kelowna Chevrolet

Graphic Design: Undrdog Media

Liam Kroeger Photo: In Motion Sports Photography

Story Wayne Moore Castanet

Photo Kelowna Fire Department

The Okanagan Sun and Kelowna Fire Department are mourning the loss of Terry Britton, who passed away Thursday morning.

He was 76.

Britton passed away after a short battle with leukemia. In a social media post, the Kelowna Fire Department praised Britton, a retired fire captain, as a dedicated firefighter, mentor and community leader. “Terry served over 30 years with the Kelowna Fire Department, and even after retiring, his commitment to the KFD never waned,” the Facebook post stated.

“He played a vital role in establishing the KFD honour guard, dedicating countless hours to training, mentoring new recruits and upholding the traditions of our profession.

“His kindness, leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Britton also spent more than 40 years as a trainer with the Okanagan Sun.

He joined the team in its inaugural season in 1981 and, while team president Nat Nagy says he retired on several occasions, he could always be found taping players at home games.

“The thing about Terry was how nice he was to everybody,” said Nagy.

“I was a waterboy in the 80’s and as a child volunteering then all the way up to seeing him last year when I was president of the team, he didn’t treat me any different.

“He treated everybody the same. He was one of those few guys that no matter who you talk to, it’s the exact same story.”

Along with his work with the KFD and the Sun, Britton also served on the Big White ski patrol, giving of his time to help others.

“Our deepest condolences to his wife Sheila and the Britton family and friends,” the Facebook post concluded.

“Terry’s presence will be deeply missed but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those he inspired.

“Rest easy captain. We’ll take it from here.”

Story Wayne Moore Castanet

Photo Kelowna Fire Department

The Okanagan Sun and Kelowna Fire Department are mourning the loss of Terry Britton, who passed away Thursday morning.

He was 79.

Britton passed away after a short battle with leukemia. In a social media post, the Kelowna Fire Department praised Britton, a retired fire captain, as a dedicated firefighter, mentor and community leader. “Terry served over 30 years with the Kelowna Fire Department, and even after retiring, his commitment to the KFD never waned,” the Facebook post stated.

“He played a vital role in establishing the KFD honour guard, dedicating countless hours to training, mentoring new recruits and upholding the traditions of our profession.

“His kindness, leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Britton also spent more than 40 years as a trainer with the Okanagan Sun.

He joined the team in its inaugural season in 1981 and, while team president Nat Nagy says he retired on several occasions, he could always be found taping players at home games.

“The thing about Terry was how nice he was to everybody,” said Nagy.

“I was a waterboy in the 80’s and as a child volunteering then all the way up to seeing him last year when I was president of the team, he didn’t treat me any different.

“He treated everybody the same. He was one of those few guys that no matter who you talk to, it’s the exact same story.”

Along with his work with the KFD and the Sun, Britton also served on the Big White ski patrol, giving of his time to help others.

“Our deepest condolences to his wife Sheila and the Britton family and friends,” the Facebook post concluded.

“Terry’s presence will be deeply missed but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those he inspired.

“Rest easy captain. We’ll take it from here.”

From Jay Christensen

Terry Britton

I just left KGH and am heartbroken to update you all the Terry was just diagnosed with aggressive leukaemia. He is limiting visitors at this time to just family members and close friends. Sadly, he has days to weeks remaining. More information will come out in the days ahead. Sheila, Sarah, David and their family have requested privacy at this difficult time. Please keep them in your prayers, and know that Terry feels the entire Sun nation is with him.

Jay

The Okanagan Sun Football Club have added to their defensive line with the #LOI signing of Kevin Kennedy. Welcome Kevin!T

The Okanagan Sun Football Club have #LOI signed defensive lineman Jack Fishman for the 2025 season. Welcome Jack!

The Okanagan Sun Football Club sign their first #LOI for the 2025 season with the signing of running back Gerren Hardisty. Welcome (back) to the BCFC Gerren!

The Okanagan Sun Football Club have #LOI signed offensive lineman Mitch Murphy for the 2025 season. Welcome Mitch!

The Okanagan Sun are proud to announce the signing of Elelyon Noa with the @bclions_official

Noa added 23 touchdowns and broke the single season rushing yards record (1,612yards) this year while taking home BCFC Outstanding Offensive Back and Outstanding Offensive Player honours.

Published by Loomly

Photo courtesy @in_motion_sports_photography

His vision is clear: make Kelowna the top junior football destination in Canada.

From ball boy, to Offensive Coordinator, Board Member to General Manager and now President, Nat Nagy has helped lead the Okanagan Sun with unmatched dedication and vision. In the last four years, Nat has helped guide us to two National Championships games (2022, 2024), has secured an overall record of 44-4 record, with 4 BCFC Championship appearances, and 2 Cullen Cup titles.

Nat’s commitment has been instrumental in creating partnerships like the Burn Fund Game, where, alongside The Stober Group and the BC Burn Fund, we’ve helped raise over $100k for fire victims in three years.

As we head into this year’s national championship game on Saturday, we’re grateful to have such an incredible leader driving our program forward.

Thank you, Nat, for your unwavering dedication, passion and commitment to excellence as you continue to set the bar higher every season.

Story Courtesy Eric Stansfield

Odds are good if you’re a Canadian football fan you’ve heard of the Grey Cup trophy and know of its legacy…what you probably don’t know, is that the Grey Cup has an older brother, the Canadian Bowl.

Awarded to the junior football league team that wins the national title, the Canadian Bowl is in fact one year older than the Grey Cup.

In 1909, The Earl Grey commissioned a trophy, the Grey Cup, to be given to the winner of the Canadian Dominion Football Championship, the country’s national title game.

The Canadian Bowl, only 365 days older than its little brother Grey, it is in fact the oldest football trophy awarded in North America.

The first junior championship game was played in 1908 in Montreal, when the Parkland Canoe Club of Toronto defeated the Lindsay Jrs. 22-0.

Though the championship tradition has continued for 115 years, the name of the trophy has evolved over time. From 1925 to 1975 it was known as the Leader Post trophy, from 1976 to 1988, the national championship trophy was the Armadale Cup. 1989 marked the beginning of CJFL Championship being known as the Canadian Bowl.

The Okanagan Sun who face the St. Clair Saints on Saturday, will be making their 10th appearance in the national final. The Sun have won three Canadian Bowls, 1988, 2000, and 2022.

Before becoming the St. Clair Saints, the organization was known as the Windsor AKO Fratmen who had competed in Canadian junior football since 1945. The Fratmen went to the final on eight occasions, winning three times, the last coming in 1999 with a 32-29 win over the Sun.

The Sun franchise and the city of Kelowna, BC, has hosted the Canadian Bowl three times, the first in 1984, followed by 1997, and 2000. The ’97 game, which featured the hometown  Sun vs the Regina Rams, is the only national championship to be decided by overtime, 23-20 Rams.

This weekend the oldest championship in Canadian football will be played out in the 115th edition of the Canadian Bowl. It’s the BCFC Champion Okanagan Sun vs the OFC Champion St. Clair Saints on Saturday November 9th, kick-off at 7:00 PM (EST), 4:00 PM (PST) at Acumen Stadium in Windsor, ON.

Okanagan Sun head coach Travis Miller has been named the 2024 coach of the year in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC).

"I don't really treat it as a 'coach of the year' award, we look at it as a organizational award," Miller told Black Press Media. "I think it's paramount that our success is based off of not just myself but the entire coaching staff we have and our board of directors as well as our volunteers and obviously the players. As much as my name is on it, it's more of a reflection of the mass amount of people that have effort in the organization."

This is the second time in his three seasons at the helm that he's won the award.

As a group, we have a standard that's very difficult for anybody to achieve, outside perfection, it's the standard we set," said Miller. "Everybody tries to achieve that standard and in the process of doing so, we keep a level-up and keep everybody on the same page with obviously success coming on the field as a result."

Miller has lead the team to the BCFC championship game in every season. In 2022, he led the team to a BCFC and Canadian Junior National Championship, the team's first in 22 years.

Last season, they lost in the BCFC final to the Westshore Rebels. This year, Miller and the team are going for another BCFC championship this Saturday, Oct. 19, against Westshore for the third straight year. 

"In order to be the champions, you want to beat the champions," Miller added. "From my standpoint, it's been about working as hard as I can in order to make sure that our guys are prepared in the end and move forward in the right direction."

This is the second time in his three seasons at the helm that he's won the award.

"As a group, we have a standard that's very difficult for anybody to achieve, outside perfection, it's the standard we set," said Miller. "Everybody tries to achieve that standard and in the process of doing so, we keep a level-up and keep everybody on the same page with obviously success coming on the field as a result."

Miller has lead the team to the BCFC championship game in every season. In 2022, he led the team to a BCFC and Canadian Junior National Championship, the team's first in 22 years.

Last season, they lost in the BCFC final to the Westshore Rebels. This year, Miller and the team are going for another BCFC championship this Saturday, Oct. 19, against Westshore for the third straight year. 

"In order to be the champions, you want to beat the champions," Miller added. "From my standpoint, it's been about working as hard as I can in order to make sure that our guys are prepared in the end and move forward in the right direction.

In his three seasons, Miller has a 34-2 record.

Since 1981, the players who have worn the Orange and Brown have helped build this program into what it is today.

Graduating players have always had a chance to "sign the wall" so that their names will be forever remembered inside the Sun Locker Room.

In the early 2000's, there was a fire inside the room, and a lot of those signatures were lost.

Today, marks the start of the Locker Legacy initiative.

ANY player who played for the Okanagan Sun has an opportunity to put his name, number, position and years played, permanently inside of the locker of his choosing.

Name Plates are  $250.00 each

Click the link to purchase your name plate today!

Check out video under Locker Room at top of the page

https://loom.ly/MBTU-vw

Creative: @undrdogmediainc