Obituary: Andrew Dugald Currie

Andrew Dugald Currie - September 13th, 1953 - September 5th, 2023 Passed away peacefully surrounded by family, at home on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia , Canada. Second son of John and Ann Currie of Narrowfield and Crosshill Farms, Campbeltown, Scotland. In 1973 Andrew served in the Royal Armoured Corps, ( 4th Royal Tank Regiment) in West Berlin and West Germany during the Cold War. He transferred to Army Intelligence Corps and served his first tour of duties in Derry, Northern Ireland in 8 Brigade Bomb and Weapons Section in support of bomb disposal teams. He was picked for and passed special forces selection for 14 Int Company, Special Reconnaissance Unit, where he completed his service, having been Mentioned in Dispatches for an impromptu, single handed operation. He took his resettlement course at Llysfasi Agricultural College, North Wales, gaining his National Certificate In Agriculture. He emigrated to Canada in 1980, to settle on Salt Spring Isl…
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Obituary: Justin (Woody) Scott

Justin (Woody) Montcrieff Scott. Feb 24, 1972 - Aug 21 2023 Woody, 51, passed away surrounded by friends and family on August 21 2023 at Lady Minto Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. He received wonderful care and kindness from the staff during his time in hospital. Born in North Vancouver to Jim and Wendy Scott, Woody moved to Salt Spring in 1974 with his family. They had purchased 80 acres of second-growth forest from Macmillan Blowdell and spent the next 15 years turning it into a farm. This was always home to Woody and helped shape him into the lover of all things that make up a rural lifestyle. Woody was a kind and gentle soul with a curious mind and a good sense of humour. He had a knowledge of many subjects ranging from cooking to farming to logging to poetry and more. Woody played soccer through his youth and early adulthood forging bonds and friendships that would continue for his entire life. His work life began at a young age when he was hire…
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Obituary: Judy Boylan

Judy Boylan August 17, 1942 - June 23, 2023 Judy Boylan, loving mother, good friend, and long-time secretary for Gulf Islands School District #64, succumbed to complications from cancer at the age of 80, on June 23rd of 2023. Throughout her stay at Lady Minto Hospital, she remained clear-headed, comfortable, and almost pain-free. Thanks again to all the hospital staff, whose kindness and care made the end of her life more pleasant, and sometimes even fun. Strong to the end, she expressed no fear of death, only disappointment that there wasn't much time left -- probably the sweetest, gentlest, toughest woman you'll ever meet. She will be missed. She is survived by her son Patrick, daughter Kathleen, brother Rex, unofficial step-daughter Christine, and countless former students of Gulf Islands schools, who remember her fondly. Special appreciation for Michelle and Cliff, who've been her best friends through her last years, and even her last moments. There will be …
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Obituary: Elaine Lewis

Elaine Lewis April 12, 1964 to August 7, 2023 Elaine loved Saltspring, and travelled from England to visit her brother and family whenever she could. She came for the peaceful break, fresh air, swimming in the lakes, the hiking and kayaking. Saltspring and Wales were her refuge from a life increasingly shadowed by cancer, over the last 10 years. Growing up, Elaine had a close family life in England. As a teenager she was challenging, and challenged; a punk, a biker, an au pair in Paris, and living in Lyon. A talented graphic artist, achieving an MSc in Engineering, until, as a single Mum she turned her focus to her children. To support her children, Gemma and James, she took a data entry job, trained in accountancy, to build a career in affordable housing in the UK, managing and closing multi-million pound ventures. for a national charity organization. Elaine's last visit to Saltspring ended with a very sudden turn for the worst in her health. Our family are extremely…
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Obituary: Anton (Tony) Kristian Pedersen

Anton (Tony) Kristian Pedersen February 4th, 1920 – July 30th, 2023 As kind as he was gentle. Tony Pedersen was born on his great-grandfather’s farm in Denmark in 1920. He began a Machinist apprenticeship at 18. After completion, he was one of 12 men among 300 applicants accepted as machinists for the Danish Air Force. During this period Germany had occupied Denmark. In 1943 Anton and fellow servicemen were interned in a camp. It was believed that Danish King Christian X intervened on their behalf and effected their release. Anton then escaped to Sweden on a fishing boat, where he spent the remainder of the war at a Swedish air base, while also working in the Danish underground. At the end of the war, the lure of travel called, and he left Denmark for Brazil with the allowable maximum of $50 in his pocket. In Brazil his new name became Antonio. Here he worked for a Brazilian company servicing DC3’s, and learned Portuguese language. The company was in dire straits and …
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Obituary: Bob Hann

Robert “Bob” Edward Hann, April 6, 1940 – July 2, 2023 Long-time Saltspring resident, Bob Hann, passed away on Sunday July 2nd at Lady Minto Hospital. He was 83. Bob Hann was born in Christchurch, Dorset, during WWII, the younger of two sons. As a child he sang boy soprano in the choir of the 11th century Christchurch Priory. He worked as a professional singer until his voice broke, earning much-needed income for the family. At 14, he was sent to pre-sea training on the unheated, Victorian-era ship, The Mercury, where, in winter, it was so cold that cadets’ hammocks would often freeze. Along with his nautical training, he also performed lead roles in musicals such as Gilbert & Sullivan’s, _Patience_. At 17 he joined the Merchant Marines, sailing to many ports around England and abroad, such as Hamburg, Sydney, Lima, and Hong Kong. At 23, he met his wife, Lavinia, at a dance in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, while on shore leave; they married in 1964 and emigrated…
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Obituary: Robert (Bob) Dale Morrisette Sr.

We sadly announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Dale Morrisette Sr. on July 24, 2023 in his 94th year, with his partner Patricia by his side. Bob was predeceased by his wife Althea in 1998. Bob leaves behind his sister Marlene Weston, partner Patricia Hewett, daughters Christina and Leanne, son Bob, grandchildren Jessica, Stephanie, Daniel, Amanda, Trevor and Caitlin. Great grandchildren Brenna, Dylan and Ronnie. Extended family members and his many good friends from the old days and from the present. To the guys of the Friday morning breakfast club – you are truly good friends. Bob was born in Nelson B.C. and raised by his grandparents in the Kerrisdale area of Vancouver where the Morrisette Heritage House still stands today. Bob and Althea purchased a home in Coquitlam B.C. where they raised their family. Bob worked in the graphics industry in Vancouver as well as running his own business manufacturing hand made printing plates for companies who printed corrugated boxes and …
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Obituary: Eleanor Beverley (Bev) Meyer

In loving memory of our dear mother, Eleanor Beverley (Bev) Meyer - nee Smith. July 12, 1926 - June 2, 2023 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, whom Our Lord called home on June 2nd at the age of 96. Our mother was born in Vancouver, BC, to Lillian Beatrice Robson and John Neil Smith in 1926. Following the birth of her younger brother, Stuart, the family moved to Salt Spring Island in 1929. Her parents chose to build a small home by the sea in Vesuvius to raise their family. Mum spoke of her childhood often and with the fondest of memories. In 1946, like her mother before her, mum left the island to attend St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Victoria, BC. After earning her degree in 1950, she returned home and began her nursing career at the original Lady Minto Hospital. It was there that mum met and fell in love our father, George, during his 1st posting as a young RCMP officer on SSI. They were ma…
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Obituary: Samuel Taylor Darling

On Monday, May 22, 2023, Samuel Taylor Darling, a passionate advocate for anyone in need and father of five, passed away at 76 after a brief and valiant fight against lung cancer. Sam was born on August 8th, 1946 in Colon, Panama, to Mary and Dashwood Darling. His formative years were spent in Central America and Marin County, CA. He attended the Grace Cathedral School for Boys where he sang in the choir, snuck cigarettes in the rafters, and developed a lifelong appreciation for music. He then graduated from Lick Wilmerding High School, shipped out as a Merchant Marine to support himself and see a wider world, and attended UC Berkeley, before becoming a caretaker for the Steep Ravine cabins. Sam moved to Guatemala in 1973 with his future wife, Sharee (Darling) Anderson, where they started an herb tea farm in partnership with Celestial Seasonings. They used profits from this long-standing business venture to introduce and fund small-scale agricultural projects that could b…
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Obituary: Patricia June Webber

Patricia June Webber nĂ©e Burritt, Born March 25, 1945, died June 6, 2023 at Lady Minto Hospital, Salt Spring Island, after a lengthy journey with cancer and associated illness. Pat was born in Vancouver, BC and is survived by her husband, Joe, two sons, Timothy and Michael, daughter’s in-law, Lori and Jennifer, two grandchildren Oscar and Ruby and three siblings Lee McAleese, Arlene Dashwood and Harvey Burritt. She was particularly excited about the developing interests of Oscar in psychology and Ruby in music. Pat studied ceramic arts while Joe attended graduate school at Oregon State University, and expanded her pottery skills as an artist and teacher when she moved to Victoria in 1973, and finally at their Stewart Road property in 1996. Pat was a lifelong member of the United Church, was involved as an elder, and helped guide the church with her many roles, as a board member, chair of the board and in the choir. Her compassion and generosity for all was punctuated with…
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Obituary: John Andrew Cordiner Sellar

John Andrew Cordiner Sellar - September 20, 1939 - April 1, 2023 Born in Buckie, Scotland to a commercial fishing family, John had a strong connection to the sea. A seafarer from an early age, John travelled throughout the world in his career with the Royal Navy and the Merchant Marine in the UK. After coming to Canada, John worked as a Captain with BC Ferries for many years, living on Salt Spring Island BC. He is predeceased by his mother, father and two sisters (Jean and Anne), and his dear wife Claire (Tennant) Sellars, RN. Both he and Claire were proud members of the local Salt Spring Legion Branch No. 92. He is survived by his niece Jean McGilveray, by Claire's family in Ontario, and by aunts, uncles and cousins in Scotland. Thank you to the staff at Island View Place and Veterans Memorial Lodge for their excellent care over the past five years. Services will be held in both Victoria and Salt Spring Island, BC later this year. The family is requesting don…
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Obituary: Harry Nielsen

Honouring A Truly Good Man: Harry Nielsen, surrounded by his family, passed away on April 11, 2023 on Salt Spring Island. He was 7 weeks shy of 97. Harry was born in Odense, Denmark to Mads Nielsen and Laura (Poulsen) Nielsen, the youngest of two brothers and three sisters. He became an apprentice, then journeyman and finally master carpenter. He survived World War II in occupied Denmark, then travelled to Sweden and Norway to find work. While in Bergen, Norway, he asked a lovely young Norwegian woman directions to the Carpenters’ Union office. He and the woman, Anna-Margrethe, began to date and she eventually moved with him to Denmark where they married in 1948. They had a daughter Marianne followed by a son, Tore. In 1957 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Brooks, AB, where Harry had several relatives and an immediate job offer, and where youngest daughter Vivian was born. Harry worked long hours saving money to buy land and build their home on Seventh St. W. W…
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Obituary: Thomas John Davies

Thomas (Tom) John Davies passed away on the morning of May 23rd, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was too young to leave us, just 34 years old. Tom was held and surrounded by his mom and dad and his closest family who will carry him with them for the rest of their lives, especially in the moments that speak to Tom's passions in this world. Tom was an incredible angler and loved to cast off-shore whenever he had a moment to do so. Tom loved the peace and quiet of 'hurrying up and waiting' for a bite, though he did get restless if the rod-ends weren't bending and was constantly tweaking and adjusting his setup to find that elusive catch. His mind worked that way, always trying to optimize and perfect what he was doing. Even as a little kid Tom took things apart just to understand how they worked. That same approach carried over into the kitchen where Tom, completely self-taught, learned how to make iconic delights like macarons (a fancy French cookie). His favour…
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Obituary: Beverley Anne Lillyman

Beverley Anne Lillyman (nĂ©e Bakes) 1936 - 2023 Bev passed away peacefully in her sleep at Greenwoods Thursday May 18, 2023. Bev was a painter, art teacher and weaver. Bev was born in Montreal to parents Hazel & Norman Bakes. Brothers David & Norman followed before they moved out to Vancouver in 1948 before graduating King Ed High School in 1954. Bev married Ronald Watt in 1957 and raised sons Dallas & Lloyd in Vancouver until she remarried the love of her life, James Lillyman in 1971. Dallas married Heather Cameron and gave Bev Grandchildren Jackie & Ryan. Lloyd married Kathy Champagne and gave her Grandchildren Christopher and Matthew. Bev had 4 Great Grandchildren, Jayden (Jackie’s), Elyse & Jacob (Christopher’s) & Angelina (Matthew’s). Jim & Bev dedicated much of their time in Vancouver to Scouting. Bev’s Cub Pack name was Bagheera. Jim & Bev moved to Salt Spring in 1989 and built a house on North End Road until they moved to Brinkwor…
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Obituary: Meg Hodges

Meg Hodges July 4, 1932 - May 8, 2023 Margaret (Meg) Hodges nĂ©e Wilson. Born 4th July, 1932 in Linton, Cambridgeshire, England. Died 8th May, 2023, on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada. Daughter of Hugh and Nora Wilson. Educated at the Perse School, Cambridge, and Reading University, but Meg would say she has never stopped learning, being especially interested in history, literature, philosophy, and theology, but also learning some science from her parents and sons. Meg loved Salt Spring Island, which in some ways reminded her of her dearly loved Linton. Her interest in nature had been awakened by her father who used to take his children on long cycle rides in the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. Meg was predeceased by her brother, Edward Hugh. She leaves 5 dearly loved children – Lindsay, Kathy, Robin, Fraser, and Alastair, as well as 13 precious grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at All Saints by the Sea Anglican Church on…
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Obituary: Mary Lundy

Mary Lundy August 23, 1922 - March 29, 2023 Mary died peacefully on March 29th in her room at Greenwoods surrounded by photos of those she loved and with her beloved daughter-in-law, Christine Mauro, at her side. She is survived by her granddaughter, Sarah, who was the source of so much joy. Sadly, her only son, Derek, had predeceased her last August — one of the downsides of living to 100! Until she caught Covid about a week before her death, Mary was blessed with remarkable health and a joyous heart. She had managed the move from Braehaven to Greenwoods at the end of December with remarkable ease. In her brief time at Greenwoods the staff had already fallen in love with her just as the staff and residents at Braehaven had done during her seven-year stay there. Few could resist Mary’s Irish charm, her generous compliments about one’s apparel or one’s hair, her frequent expressions of gratitude. Mary was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1922. She became engaged to…
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Obituary: Catherine Faulkner

My dear friend passed quietly on April 6 after a brief and peaceful period of letting go of this life. Catherine was born in Lesmahagae, Scotland in 1928, but she usually said she was from Glasgow. She chose midwifery as a vocation when she was a teenager, emigrated to Canada in the '50s as a Registered Nurse/Midwife, and gratefully took out Canadian citizenship... her only caveat being that as a proud Scot she was somewhat loathe to pledge loyalty to the throne of England! Catherine lived variously in Windsor ON, Edmonton AB, and Vancouver BC but when she discovered Salt Spring Island she knew she'd found her forever home. She was a nurse on staff at Lady Minto Hospital for many years, but also had a lifelong love of live theatre. After her retirement, she was able to devote copious hours of her time to the Salt Spring Players and many other societies -- Theatre BC, Voice of Women, SS Seniors' Society, SS United Church, as an original volunteer at Artspring, and also an …
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Obituary: James Thomas Fogarty

James Thomas Fogarty: 1947 – 2023 We are heartbroken to announce that Jim has passed away after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer. Jim was born in Chicago on January 5, 1947 to Jim and Elaine Fogarty. He had two sisters and a large extended family with many cousins. He attended Wabash College where he served as editor of the school newspaper. Jim and Noni first met as friends in California in the 1970s. Jim headed north to British Columbia where Noni later came to visit him and they fell in love. Over the next decade, they spent time exploring BC, making maple syrup in Minnesota, and living in North Vancouver. Every Spring, Jim would return to Chicago to work the tax season in his father’s accounting firm. It was an old friend who urged them to check out Salt Spring Island, and once they did, they knew this was home. Details like how to find a house and a job never bothered Jim. He and Noni settled in the south end of Salt Spring, had four kids, grew veggies…
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Obituary: Rafael Corcione

Rafael Corcione of New Westminster, BC, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his 3 children, 6 grandchildren, 2 brothers, family & many friends. He was born in Naples Italy to loving parents and had 6 wonderful siblings. At the age of 21 he immigrated to Halifax but disliked the climate intensely, so kept moving west until he reached Vancouver. He settled in the community of Kerrisdale where he owned and operated a successful hair salon and raised his family. It wasn’t until he retired that he moved to New Westminster where he began a new chapter and met many wonderful friends. Rafael had many hobbies, but his true joy was spending time at his property on Salt Spring Island tending his garden. He was a force with an easy charm, and a true maverick who lived life on his terms; he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Funeral services to be held at St Peters Church New Westminster BC March 28th, 2023 at 12:00pm …
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Obituary: Helen Margaret Hunt

Helen Margaret Hunt (nee Logan) July 12th, 1932 - Left this planet March 19th, 2023 “It is my wish that a memorial service not be held.  Celebrate in your own way as I will be on a journey to join many loved ones gone before me.  In my honour, please do something special for someone you love. Sincerely,  Helen” Helen Margaret Hunt died peacefully the morning of March 19th, 2023, here on Salt Spring Island.  Helen was predeceased by her first husband Dale and is survived by her two sons, Dean Olafson (spouse Liz Scott, daughter Michaela and son Logan) and Jed Olafson (spouse Pam and daughter Keira). Helen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and from humble beginnings lead an interesting and full life.  Her pursuits and interests were varied and included high school track athlete, artist (painter and potter), accredited music teacher, farmer, shepherdess, horse trainer and rider, welder, private pilot, sports car enthusiast, gardener, skier and avid golfer in her late…
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Obituary: Dayten Donald Sanders

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of a kind, gentle young man, beautiful son, and a Salt Spring Firefighter; Dayten Donald Sanders. A loving son, big brother, and grandson. Dayten is survived by his parents; Jordan and Jenine Sanders, sister; Emily Perris, grandmother; Betty Perris, uncles; Kurt Perris (Kim), and Jason Perris (Marni), all of his cousins, his brothers at SSIFR, and his lifelong friends "the boys". Dayten will be deeply missed by all. Dayten was predeceased by his Papa; Donald Perris, auntie; Hannah Perris, and his best friend, Hunter Ehrismann. Dayten was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan and formerly resided in Nanaimo, BC before relocating to Salt Spring Island in January 2018 to begin his career with Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he began his own business on Salt Spring - a place he loved so much, becoming a valued member of the community and department. Daytens flame touched countless people, his con…
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