Garth Preddy - March 17, 1979 - June 11, 2022 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Garth on June 11th, 2022. He is survived by his daughters Emma and Kaycee, parents Hugh and Karen, brother Ryan, sister Angie (Gavin), niece Paige, extended family and friends. Garth was born March 17, 1979 and grew up in Maple Ridge, BC where he attended school. He moved to Salt Spring Island in 2013. A Celebration of Life will be held in the afternoon on Sunday August 14th, 2022 at 108 Langs Road, Salt Spring Island. Please RSVP at garthpreddy.com

Ted Harrison — January 2, 1940, to June 10, 2022 In His Own Words … "I have always been an active, independent, caring individual and with few exceptions, have lived a full, privileged, purposeful life blessed by family, friends and opportunities to pursue ever-arising interests. Tennis, squash, sailing, kayaking, long distance cycling, gardening and farming have been major pursuits in my life in addition to my rewarding career in the civil service. As my health challenges grew over the past decade, I continued to enjoy community volunteering, bridge, reading, crossword puzzles and an active social life. My beloved wife, Susan (Evans), and my two wonderful children, Marybeth and Mark, are the most valued relationships I have ever enjoyed. I love them dearly. They have given my life purpose and meaning. Friends and other family have played important roles as well. In recent years, my health has continued to decline and my experience has become one of chronic pain, diminish…

Our amazing mom, Bev Byron, left us Sunday afternoon, June 12, 2022. She passed away in her farmhouse, with her family very close. Beverly Ruby ( Hicks) Byron came to Salt Spring Island with her husband, Mike Byron, in 1961 from Surrey where she taught elementary school. They returned to Salt Spring to the farm on Stowel Lake. It was there she spent the rest of her days farming, gardening, cooking huge family dinners, barbecuing lamb and of course raising her three girls, Francie, Jacquie and Deanie. She was a substitute teacher for many years while the girls were young, then taught full time at Salt Spring Elementary, Fernwood and Fulford Elementary. She loved and was loved by her three daughters, 7 grandchildren, and most recently her 3 great grandchildren. Details about her Celebration of Life are to come.

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. Pierr…

Anthony Campbell - June 13, 1941, to June 9, 2022 Anthony (Tony) Campbell passed away at his home on Salt Spring Island on June 9, 2022. Tony was born on June 13, 1941, in Surrey, England, an only child to Marjorie Ethel and Edward Augustus Campbell. Both his parents were serving in the British military forces. He lost his father at a very young age. In 1946 he immigrated to Vancouver Island, Canada, with his mother, now a war bride married to Bert Beggs. Tony attended school in the Chemainus area. He left school, barely a teenager, and began his working career. His early occupations were manyfold and included heavy equipment operation, logging, truck driving, and insurance adjusting, until eventually focussing on Carmac Enterprises, his own Porsche repair and racing business. Tony’s racing career began with the purchase of his first Porsche in 1963. The following year he achieved the BC Hillclimb Championship. Over the next few years, he raced and owned many cars includi…

John Bryan Reed Parker - June 11, 1936 to May 14, 2022 John was born in Seaford, Sussex and spent most of his childhood with his adopted family. Only in the last two years of his life was he united with his birth family. He was delighted to meet his nephews and nieces, the children of his brothers and sisters and cousins to Sarah, Alice and Helen. He was proud of his eldest brother Ron who flew Spitfires during WW11. As a child, John had the freedom to explore the woods and fields near his home, helped the farrier, and the farmer milk the cows and bring in the hay. At 14 he was sent as a boarder to Lancing College where he excelled at science, developed a lifelong interest in classical music and natural history, fenced, and shot at Bisley. He graduated from St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College in 1960 and married his fellow student Zillah. During his years at Barts he took up rock Climbing. He went to the Westminster Hospital for training in Anaesthesia. It was…

Darlene Ellen Hawke - October 8, 1957 to May 26, 2022 With sadness but with gratitude for having had her in our lives, we say goodbye to Darlene. Darlene was the `entertainer’ in the family and her enthusiasm was infectious! She was born in Ottawa to Reginald and Hellen Hawke. One of five daughters, she had a ready-made audience and cast of characters to hone her skills. At an early age she was telling jokes and creating and producing skits for family and friends with her four sisters in tow. This early creativity blossomed and shone as she continued to write poems, songs, plays and books. Family events and milestones fueled her creativity…and nothing could stop that train of thought of hers once it got rolling! She wrote songs for birthdays, family reunions, Christmas & Easter celebrations and remembrances of loved ones. She wrote a play for her sister Heather’s wedding, one for her nephew Mitch, and even co-authored a book to commemorate a loved-one’s life. This was…

Doreen Grace Minshall, of Salt Spring Island, BC, passed away with family at her bedside in the early morning hours of March 4th, due to complications brought on after suffering a stroke in August of 2021. She had just turned 84 years young on February 24th. Doreen was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario to parents Frederick and Edith Minshall (Mundy). She is survived by her son Kevin F. Gove (wife Deborah), her daughter Suzanne L. Gove-O’Rourke (husband Michael), granddaughters Victoria Durham, Allyson Gove (husband Nick Schubert), great grandson Ronan Schubert, brother Robert Minshall (wife Jean), her cousin Jacquie Welsh, three nieces, a nephew, as well as numerous cousins and cherished friends. Doreen was predeceased by her ex-husband, David Garfield Gove in 2019. Doreen attended high school at Guelph Collegiate Institute in Guelph, Ontario. She was married in 1959 and lovingly raised two children, her son Kevin, and daughter, Suzanne. The family relocated to Pierrefonds,…

Trevor J Harrop was born in Winnipeg, April 19th 1927, to Jean and James Harrop. Trevor was a middle child between older brother John (Jack) and his younger sister Pat. He moved to Motherwell, Scotland at a young age and soon took a shining to competitive swimming. While in the School of Dentistry at the University of Glasgow, he got the opportunity to swim at the London Olympics in 1948. Upon graduation, Trevor and Sheila, his future wife, boarded a freighter to embark on their new life in Canada. Trevor became the first resident dentist in the small town of New Denver, BC. They fell in love with the village and quickly made lifelong friends including the Casley’s, DeRosa’s, and especially the Dahlie’s. Trevor and Sheila would settle down in Vancouver and raise their family. Survived by his 4 children, Jim (Jen), Catherine (Bill Griffiths), Ian (Judy), and David (Kaoru), 11 Grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. Predeceased by his wife Sheila (2021), and his eldest granddau…

Tracey Braiden (Poole) - 1957 - 2022 Tracey left us peacefully in the evening of April 8, 2022, following a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Born in North Vancouver in 1957, Tracey spent her childhood at Long Beach, Ucluelet and finally Salt Spring Island. Tracey loved Salt Spring and following her marriage to her life partner, Ross, they decided to spend the rest of their lives here. She leaves behind three sons, Shawn, Ben, and Ian, and one grandson, Henry. Tracey may best be remembered for her role as a teacher at the local high school, where, over many years she had a very strong influence. Everyone respected “Mrs. Braiden” for her caring yet no nonsense attitude that helped change so many lives at the high school. Tracey worked with students, starting in the Gipsy Program in the 1988, right through until 2017 at GISS. Her patience, as a mother figure and as a caring teacher to hundreds of students, left a lasting impression. Tracey was always coming up with id…

CHARGE, Glenn Roy. Passed on Monday, March 28 suddenly but comfortably in his 91st year. He is survived by his common law partner Shelagh Tulloch, by two sons, Dic (Ellen) and Lawrence (James) and by five stepdaughters, Allison, Lorraine, Jennifer, Cathie and Mary-Anne and three stepsons Les, Allan and Scott as well as an extensive group of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and their children. Glenn was predeceased by four of his siblings (Dick, Maxine, Diane and Brenda) and is survived by his one remaining sister, Linda (Joe). Born in Winnipeg, Glenn studied at the University of Manitoba while serving in Canada’s military. He went on to enjoy a career in electrical engineering with General Electric (Schenectady) and Ontario Hydro (Richmond Hill) before retirement. After the heartrending loss of his second wife Jeanne, Glenn moved to the Vancouver Island area and lived first in Duncan before moving to Salt Spring Island to be with Shelagh. Throughout his…

Jan Ettema 1922 - 2022 - Jan (John) Ettema passed away very peacefully January 11, 2022, at age 99, at Lady Minto Hospital. Jan spent a very happy 14 months at Heritage Place. Huge kudos and thank you to Sandi Muller and all the staff there. Jan would play his mouth harmonica every day after supper, something that gave him any many others so much joy. He loved living on the "little island" and shared many new memories and adventures with me. Heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Lady Minto, not only for the support you gave to my dad, but to me. I was always getting updates from the Doctors and Nurses who cared for him. Special thanks to Dr. Peter Verheul for taking my dad's care on. Many thanks to Father Scott, who regularly saw my dad, and who gave me an endless amount of support, especially during his last days. Father Scott travelled from Salt Spring Island to St. Francis Xavier Church in Mill Bay, where my Mother is also buried. Huge thanks to Pauline Hyde for t…

Randy Smith’s Epilogue I, Randall Smith passed to the next level [Tuesday, December 28, 2021]. I am predeceased by all those who died before me and survived by those who are still alive. I was born to George and Beryl Smith, June 5, 1949, at a very early age in Welland, Ontario, in the same hospital where my mother was, as I wished to be close to her. From my mother’s point of view the doctor recommended that I be removed in pieces due to problems anticipated in childbirth. She courageously opted for a caesarean section, a hazardous procedure at the time. From my point of view, a skylight opened up and a masked man all in white lifted me gently into a new world. Little did I know at the time this simple act would put the kybosh on a well meaning woman’s attempt later in my life to convince me to do a re-birthing seminar that recreated the birth trauma as a form of therapy. She had a hard time with the skylight analogy. I hung around for many years and did lots o’ stuff…

Uri Cogan Oct.21, 1935- Nov. 12, 2021 "The dewdrop slides into the shining sea." This is the message Uri wanted to leave for everyone. Uri was born in Haifa, Israel, the youngest of three children born to his parents Miriam & Eli Cogan who immigrated from Latvia and Russia escaping persecution. He served as a submariner on Israel's first submarine. After his service in the navy he began his career as a photo-journalist with "Olam Hazeh" (This World) a popular publication in Tel-Aviv. This occupation provided him with a thorough understanding of the underbelly of politics and society. He was a pioneer in the use of L.S.D. and part of an artist and filmmakers collective known as "The Third Eye". We met during that time in 1970. His last participation in combat was the Yom Kippur War where he served with his camera. When he found his unit, they had all perished. He wound up helping wounded in transport planes. This event left him with PTSD, and it consolidated his desire to…

Susan Bloom 1936 – 2021 Susan died peacefully in her beloved Castle by the Sea on December 6th, 2021. The flag on her dock has been lowered to half mast as friends and family remember this remarkable woman. Her philanthropic work began as a young woman and continued up until her very last day – working to preserve and protect some of the most amazing wild places for future generations. She worked tirelessly and was genuinely committed to the protection of wildlife, their habitats, and the protection of ancient forests and oceans. During the past 35 years, she generously supported her Salt Spring Island community (often behind the scenes) - she will be missed immensely. Susan believed strongly in grassroots organizing and worked to help small groups of passionate people do extraordinary things. Over and Out Mama Bear.

Glenn passed away peacefully on November 23rd He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda, son David (Christina), daughters Deborah (Bill), Barbara (Gregg) & Glenda (Paul), and his 12 grandchildren. Glenn lived a full life, making the most of everyday. Growing up in Chemainus, he excelled in sports as an all-star athlete, winning provincial titles in basketball and baseball. Glenn became a member of the Salt Spring Golf Club in 1966; he was a player, a volunteer, Club President, and a proud Popo as he’d get all of the grandkids out on the course. He loved to travel for golf, and teeing it up at Scotland’s St. Andrews Old Course was a lifelong highlight. Glenn worked just as hard at academics as he did in sport. He took a position as Principal at Saturna Island Elementary School before moving to Salt Spring Island in 1964, a move that truly sparked his nearly 40 year teaching career starting with a teaching position at Salt Spring Elementary. While teaching, Glenn ear…

Victoria Linda Hadassa Mihalyi (AKA Vicki Miller) has flown up into the wide blue sky. Famous on Salt Spring Island for her Flying Dreams Productions, such as HuM, The Dharma According to Fifi, and SpeakEasy, Victoria brought Aerial Arts to Salt Spring, borne aloft ever since. Countless dance and aerial artists have been inspired by her work here—she was a consummate athlete, dancer, martial artist, … if this list went on it would fill the page! As with many islanders, Victoria had an extra-ordinary life before she re-invented herself here. Born in Toronto, April 23, 1952, she married Max Miller at 20, and enjoyed a flourishing love with him ever since. Known as Vicki Miller, she was a powerful animal rights activist and rescuer for many years, swerving Canadian beliefs toward mercy to the protein-providers we forget. Unto herself, and ever-amplified by her faithful Max, she was a Force. Her long-time Toronto friend Lynne Thomas wrote this: “You took over the Humane So…

Cliff was born May 6, 1940 in Vancouver and passed away on November 23, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. Cliff lived and worked on Salt Spring Island since 1970 (on and off) and his wife Shelley Nitikman still lives here. Cliff led an immense life that was always large, loud, and full of passion – a life that cannot be reduced to words. Fast cars, nautical adventures (and disasters), good food, fine wines, and music. Cliff was always moving and never stopped working, even to his last days. He drove taxi, ran a Jazz Club, was a carpenter, a teacher, sold wine, was a PR Director at the Vancouver Art Institute, and left a lasting legacy in the Canadian music Industry. Cliff met countless people; his family and friends were his deepest joy. Everyone felt his love and loyalty and probably has a unique (and likely crazy) story about Cliff. Cliff was predeceased by his parents and younger brother. He is survived by Shelley, her children and their families, by his brother Roy a…

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Louise Jocelyn Harkema. She left her 64 years on this earth November 10th , after a difficult battle with cancer. Louise was born October 19th, 1957 in Port Alberni, British Columbia to Jan and Louise Harkema. She is survived by her children Elisha (Jordan) and Jocelyn, her granddaughter Piper, siblings Derek, Mary, Andrea, Ellen (Hans), and Harold (Sandy), sister-in-law Dawn and many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Jan Mark Harkema and niece Darcy Hughes. Louise was an autonomous and ever-evolving person that marched to her own beat. She made many strong connections mentally and spiritually as a Mother, a Sister, an Auntie, a friend, a Therapist and a Teacher. In these connections her loving memory lives on. Though she spent many years building her successful business as a Massage Therapist/ Svroopra yoga Teacher and raising her two children in Calgary, Al…

Jennifer Anderson Benitz Gita Govinda-Dragonfly-Jenny Bear Sept 13, 1958 – Oct 24, 2021 Gita left her body peacefully in her sleep and was found with a smile on her face. Another colourful Salt Spring Character has crossed the Rainbow Bridge into the Beyond. Anyone who knew Gita knows that she was never late so even though all of us here on earth will greatly miss her, we also know she must have been right on time. Gita was known for her love of all things spiritual, to help see through the veil of the Great Mystery by singing, dancing, playing and praying. She spent her life in service to her most beloved teacher Srila Jayatirthapada. Gita was a true seeker of the Treasure Chest Within. One of her favourite pastimes was to bring groups of people together and she organized many gatherings including the Spirit of Peace/Celebration of Life Gatherings on Salt Spring Island from 1986-1996. Here is where many leaders in several traditions would gather to pray and ce…

Gareth Ernest William Donnelly, 22 April 1950 - 30 October 2021 It is with a very sad heart that I relay the news to the community that we have lost the last of the 3 Donnelly brothers. Like his brothers before him, gone, too young, too soon. I have lost my last brother and feel rudderless without them. I am contacting the Salt Spring Community with this sad news of Gareth's passing as he had many dear friends on Salt Spring from his time living here. Gareth died on October 30th in Christchurch, New Zealand, his adopted homeland. He was an artisan, an inventor, a creator and was fascinated by anything old that had moving parts. His Art Deco New Zealand Tap Lamps grace many homes on Salt Spring Island and his talent can be seen in the lighting installations at Beaver Point Hall. He had a love of music and played his double bass at many jamming sessions here on Salt Spring as well as classical orchestras in Christchurch. Gareth was a gentle kind soul, a lovely d…