Pierre Boies - Friday, December 13, 1957, to Friday, May 27, 2022

Pierre passed away peacefully at Lady Minto Hospital, Salt Spring Island, BC after a hard-fought battle with esophageal cancer. He chose to exit this world with the help of MAID when the last of his life became too much to bear. He was surrounded by the people nearest and dearest to his heart. At his bedside were Normand Boies (brother) and Diane Lemieux (sister-in-law) from Montreal, as well as his long-time friends Susan and Merv Anderson and Monika Mayr.

He was predeceased by his father Gérard Boies in December, 2020 and his stepson Nathan Mayr in May, 2005. Pierre will be greatly missed by his mother, Aline Bédard Boies who turned 95 years old the day before Pierre`s death, his brother Robert Boies (Joane), his sister Monique Boies (Marc Lamontagne), and his brother Normand Boies (Diane Lemieux) mentioned above. He also had many friends in B.C. and Quebec who will miss him greatly as well.

Pierre was born in Montreal, but he decided to travel out to the west coast with his brother Normand when they were 19 and 21 years of age. Pierre fell in love with the west coast immediately and decided to stay behind instead of returning home to Montreal with Normand. Pierre had all of a quarter in his pocket, as he and his brother have both recounted.

However, Pierre was resourceful and hard-working, and he created a new life for himself in Vancouver. He eventually attended Langara College where he gained his education in carpentry. He apprenticed in carpentry and worked in the trade in Vancouver for several years.

He eventually moved to Salt Spring in 1990 where he took on one of the most important roles of his life, that of the father figure in Nathan`s life, from a young adolescent to a twenty-eight-year-old man when he, too, was taken from us too soon. He introduced Nathan to many new things like kayaking and playing the guitar. He also demonstrated what it meant to have the continuous acceptance, support, and unconditional love of a father.

As far as carpentry was concerned, Pierre worked in the trade for more than thirty years. When carpentry was no longer an option, Pierre chose another path entirely. He spent three fire seasons, from the beginning of April to mid-September each year, as a fire lookout at Flat Top Tower near Slave Lake, Alberta. He enjoyed the solitude, and during his time off, he played a lot of guitar and composed a total of ten of his own compositions for classical guitar. He really enjoyed having the opportunity to observe the local wildlife in its natural environment. He also had several “up close and personal” encounters with some of the many local bears which he enjoyed somewhat less.

In 2010, Pierre reinvented himself again, becoming the Pie Whisper at the Saturday Market for ten more years. He loved baking, but he truly enjoyed working alongside his fellow market vendors, as well as meeting and chatting with the many visitors to the Saturday Market. He was especially proud of his many repeat customers, both from Salt Spring and elsewhere.

Pierre had a wide variety of interests and loved learning new things. However, his great passion for music, especially the guitar, began in childhood and grew with him throughout his life. He enjoyed most music, but adored the classical guitar, particularly that from the baroque era. He played classical guitar with many people over the years. Before Covid, Pierre played with Aki Otsu, a friend and fellow market vendor, performing together at various venues around Salt Spring. Unfortunately, Covid 19 put an abrupt and very rude end to Pierre’s participation in the Saturday Market, as well as his musical performances.

Pierre also had a passion for chess. He enjoyed being part of the local chess club and was extremely proud to win its last championship some years back. He also loved other brain games like Sudoku, Scrabble, and Quebec checkers which is very strategic like chess.

Pierre was a very kind, caring, intelligent, and creative person with a wonderful sense of humour. He enjoyed people and accepted them regardless of their age or background. When asked about his end-of-life wishes, he declined any formal funeral gathering. Instead, in his words he stated, ``Let`s have a party!`` That was Pierre! Party particulars will be announced at a later time.

On behalf of Pierre, as well as all of us who frequented Lady Minto Hospital daily to be with him during his final weeks, we would like to express our deepest gratitude. Thank you to the doctors at the Salt Spring Island Health Clinic who took on Pierre`s care when he was transferred back from Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria to Lady Minto. Thank you to the wonderful, compassionate, and patient nursing staff and to all the caregivers at Lady Minto involved in making Pierre`s final weeks as comfortable and pleasant as possible, and that was tough.

Those of us who were loved by Pierre, who were fortunate to have experienced his gifts of family and friendship, who laughed with and finally wept with him, we know the great loss, the void he leaves. We also know the many gifts he has left us. He would want us to remember him smiling, laughing, happy, and well. That is, perhaps, our final gift to him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pierre’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Epilepsy Society.