We are heartbroken to announce that Aubrey Cobham passed away in Hospital on Tuesday September 24th 2024. It is impossible to summarize what a wonderful and multidimensional person he was, and everything he meant to us.
Aubrey was born in Halifax Nova Scotia to Reverend Byron Cobham, mother Lillian, and sister Joyce. He lived in numerous Nova Scotia towns and spent many summers in New Brunswick with his grandparents. Aubrey demonstrated a gift and a passion for music from a very young age resulting in many lead roles at Acadia University where he got his BA in Psychology and later his MEd.
In 1973 he married Joan Carolyn Atkinson, and they eventually settled in Victoria BC, raising seven children.
As a teacher, he taught science, drama, musical theatre, choir, consumer education and was a counselor at Reynolds, Shoreline, and Esquimalt Secondary Schools. He touched the lives of hundreds and hundreds of people over his career. As one former student put it, “Mr Cobham… was a brilliant man and someone I not only admired as a teacher but as a dear friend as well. He was the inspiration that set me on a path in the arts…a path that continues 34 years later.”
In retirement, Aubrey moved with Joan to their off the grid cabin in the Sansum Narrows, and enjoyed 31 glorious years there by the ocean. During his retirement Aubrey made lots of friends in the area, took scuba diving lessons, joined the Salt Spring Singers choir, got involved with the Retired Teachers Association of BC, traveled to Europe and South America, and worked as a very convincing mall Santa.
Aubrey passed away in hospital from complications after an emergency surgery. Joan was able to be with him, and his children came to visit him throughout his hospital stay. He is survived and remembered by his wife, Joan, his children Kelda, Andrea, Amanda, Jason, Alexis, Mary, and Jonathan, his nephew Calvin and niece Pam, and his 9 grandchildren
His family wishes to thank his amazing physician Dr, Applewhaite, and the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff at Jubilee and Lady Minto hospitals for their kindness and the incredible level of care he received.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation on Aubrey’s behalf can send one to Pacific Opera Victoria with whom he sang for 30 years or the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.