Gulf Islands Driftwood | Newspaper serving the Gulf Islands since 1960

Reginald S. Taylor

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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September 2, 2013

Reginald S. Taylor

Popular local man, Reginald S. Taylor, passed away on Monday, September 2nd, two days before his 88th birthday. He leaves behind his sister, Jean Gardiner, nephews Graham and Nigel Gardiner, all of England. He is predeceased by his daughter, Angela. He regularly kept in touch with Jean and enjoyed her visits. She fondly remembers a trip through the Rockies on one of her last trips. He will be missed by his cousin, Bob Savage, who thought of Reg as a brother.

Born in Broadstairs, Kent, England, Reg was the middle child of parents, Jeffrey and Dorothy.

After leaving school, he became an apprentice mechanic and served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

In his early twenties, Reg decided to emigrate to the US and with sponsorship from his aunt and a loan from his father; he travelled from Southampton to New York and then on to Los Angeles where he stayed and opened a garage called Ozzie and Reg with his business partner, Ozzie. The business was a great success. He soon married and had a daughter. Reg and Marilyn, his wife, then moved to Salt Spring Island and bought Scott Point Marina which they later sold to RVYC. Reg’s nephews, Graham and Nigel, remember visiting from England and enjoying summers at the Marina when they were young.

The family moved in a house on Maliview Drive which Reg had built. At this time, he was semi-retired but kept busy in the community through his involvement in ArtSpring, the Langham Court Theatre Guild in Victoria, aircraft restoration in Sidney, helping to build the clock on top of the fire station in Ganges, and volunteer work with various charities including Lady Minto Gulf Islands Hospital.

He regularly enjoyed morning coffee at the Canadian Legion where he was welcomed with his first dog, Max and more recently, Benji.

Jean and nephews, Graham and Nigel would like to thank the staff at Lady Minto Gulf Islands Hospital and Dr. Woodley for all of their kindness, care and attention during Reg’s illness. The date of a memorial service will be announced in the near future.

Margaret Alice McMahon

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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August 27, 2013

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Margaret Alice McMahon

April 5, 1922 – August 27, 2013

Alice closed her beautiful Irish eyes for the last time at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island, BC with her son and daughter at her side.

She was born in Belfast, N. Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1953. Alice belonged to both the Lady Minto Hospital and the Legion Ladies Auxiliaries. She was predeceased by her brother Fred McAdam. She will be sadly missed by her devoted family, husband John, daughter Maggie Smith (Ron), son Jim McMahon (Anne Garneau), grandson Darren MacRae (Angie) and the lights of her life, great grandchildren Emma and Jackson MacRae. Alice had a huge extended family, step grandchildren and families in Nanaimo and Victoria, nephews, nieces, cousins in Great Britain and the U.S., her family and staff at Meadowbrook Seniors Residence.

We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the amazing staff at Lady Minto Hospital for their loving care and compassion for Alice and our entire family. To her support team, her amazing friends, she loved each one of you and many thanks for all your caring. To Dr. Reznick, Jean and Barb a special thank you.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1:00 pm at Meadowbrook Seniors Residence, 121 Atkins Road, Salt Spring Island.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in memory of Alice to the Lady Minto Palliative Care Unit, 135 Crofton Road, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 1T1.

Mom always ended a visit or telephone call with “Bye for now and god bless”. So mom BYE FOR NOW, WE WILL LOVE AND MISS YOU ALWAYS.

Arrangements by Hayward’s Funeral Service www.haywardsfuneral.com

Ryan Geoffrey Burch

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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August 26, 2013

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Ryan Geoffrey Burch

June 29, 1972 – August 26, 2013

Ryan Geoffrey Burch, 41, of Salt Spring Island, B.C. died suddenly on Monday, August 26 in a tragic logging accident at Lake Cowichan. Born in Vancouver on June 29, 1972, the family moved to Salt Spring Island in 1981. In 2002, Ryan married Chelsea Byron.

Predeceased by his cousin Adam in 2001 and his father Ron in 2002, he is survived by his loving wife Chelsea and their four children, Isaac, Garrett, Mackenzie and Heidi; his mother Judy; his sister Suzanne (Andrew) and children Austin and Colton; Uncle Brian (Trish); Auntie Debbie (Ray); cousins Melanie (Dean) and children Hailey, Nicola and Matthew; Leana and daughter Makenna; and Dustin (Stephanie); inlaws Jill and Ken Byron; sisters and brothers-in-law Nicola (Bruce) and children Ryen and Kate; Josh (Leah) and children Jaidyn and Sevannah; Justin (Dana) and daughter Thea; Regan; Jeremy (Erica); and Bob (Alice); as well as his many, many friends.

Ryan was humble, modest, hardworking and strong, but what best describes him is how well he was loved. With his quiet, disarming manner he charmed everyone he met. He was so genuine.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 6 at 1:00 at the Community Gospel Church, 147 Vesuvius Bay Road, followed by a reception at the Farmers’ Institute (351 Rainbow Road) from 2:00 to 5:00.

John Louis Hayes

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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August 17, 2013

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John Louis Hayes

Jan. 15, 1914 – Aug. 17, 2013

John (Jack) passed away peacefully on August 17th at Lion’s Gate Palliative Unit in Vancouver with family at his side. Born on January 15th, 1914 in Winnipeg, he was in his 100th year and celebrated every day despite declining health.

Jack spent a lifetime working and travelling throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. During WWII he was an Officer overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Retired from several careers, including an executive portfolio with Shell Canada and a government relations directorship, he settled in Vancouver to be close to family. Never a man to be idle, he didn’t officially retire until age 80 and then took up the pen. He wrote two books, “Where Did You Come From?”, a tapestry of prairie life, and “Woman Achiever”, a novella set in WWII featuring a gutsy female pilot.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Frances (2001), he is survived by his daughters Maureen (Tom), Lynn, and Diana (Peter), as well as grandchildren Stephen, Alison and Jeffrey and great-grandchildren Hannah, Carly, Leah and Nathan.

Jack never lost his zest for life and when asked about his secret to longevity, his answer was “family, friends, helping others, keeping the mind busy”. He was still reading the newspapers and keeping up with current affairs in his last weeks in hospital and never missed a beat.

Donations in memory of Jack can be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings”

Elizabeth Marie Bastien

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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August 12, 2013

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Elizabeth Marie Bastien

1960 – 2013

Elizabeth Marie Bastien died peacefully at her beloved home on Salt Spring Island, BC August 12, 2013 at the age of 52.

Beth was the eldest child of the late Elizabeth Ann Begg (Bastien) of Kingston, Ontario and the late William James Bastien of Matawa, Ontario. Beth grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario.

She is survived by her husband Seth Berkowitz of Salt Spring Island, BC; sister Micha Bastien-Lachance (Raymond) of Welland, Ontario and their 3 children; brother Guy Bastien of St. Catharines, Ontario and his 2 children; her aunt Barbara Ellis of St. Albert, Alberta; and her aunt Marie Hallett (Brian) of Kingston, Ontario.

Beth was employed by the federal government in Hamilton before moving to Vancouver, BC in 1990 where she continued with the public service. Beth was a City Facilitator for the Homelessness Initiative before returning to university to earn her Master’s degree in Public Policy at Simon Fraser University. At her passing Beth was the Senior Public Policy Analyst with the Native Women’s Association of Canada in Ottawa, which included the Sisters in Spirit – an initiative she cared for deeply.

Beth served on the Board of Directors of Salt Spring Women Opposed to Violence and Abuse (SWOVA), and she was learning to play the violin in her spare time.

Beth’s life was filled with artistic expression, especially a passion for textiles. She will be remembered by many for carrying a knitting project wherever she went. Recently Beth had taken up weaving. She had only just begun a personal transformation where creating art was becoming her primary pursuit. Beth’s successful exhibition of her artwork at ArtSpring in 2012 was one of her early steps along this new road. Beth’s far too many unfinished and unrealized projects are a reflection of her creative drive, and a gentle reminder that our time is often cut short.

There will be a ceremony at her burial at the Ganges Community Cemetery – Salt Spring Island, Thursday, August 22nd, at 2pm. Visitors will be received at 141 Pine Place from 3pm to 5pm and 7pm to 9pm.

Donations please to Lady Minto Hospital of Salt Spring Island, Royal Jubilee Hospital of Victoria, or the BC Cancer Agency.

Jill Marguerite Lyons (nee Cook)

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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August 9, 2013

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Jill Marguerite Lyons (nee Cook)

January 19, 1968 – August 9, 2013

Don & Sheri Hickman sadly announce the sudden death of their daughter, Jill. Survived by two wonderful sons, Tanner and Christopher Holtby. Predeceased by nephew Aaron Cook. Survived by sisters Sheralin, Sonya, Meagan and brothers Ted and Chris. Also survived by father Edward Cook senior, grandfather Bob Hickman, many aunts,uncles and cousins. A family gathering in her honour was held on August 18th. She is missed by her family, many friends and birth mom Joanne.

Matt Harvey

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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August 1, 2013

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Matt Harvey

1995-2013

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our precious child, Matthew Colston Harvey. Matt’s kind loving spirit, and his unique innocent view of the world will be missed by his; mother Leah, father Dan, foster dad Tyler, step dad Jim, brothers; Eric, Ryland, Colston and all family and friends who were blessed to know him. In loving memory there will be a celebration of Matt’s life on Friday August 9th at 2:00pm, held at McCall’s Funeral home, 1400 Vancouver Street, Victoria BC. Flowers gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities. http://www.lionsbc.ca/

Jonah Thomas Fisher

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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July 23, 2013

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Jonah Thomas Fisher

FEB. 16, 1979 – JULY 23, 2013

Jonah Thomas Fisher died of natural causes in his home. Judo champion and scholar, loving and beloved, he was the son of Don Fisher and Melissa Grace Kodaly; brother to Mischa and Heather Fisher. He will be deeply missed by family, extended family and friends. Fly away free dearest Jonah. Rest in peace.

Richard Lee McColl

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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July 22, 2013

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Richard Lee McColl

(May 22 1947 – July 22 2013)

After a lengthy illness Lee passed away at

home, surrounded by his loving family.

Wife, Mary Ann, sons – David (Jen) and Stephen.

He is finally at rest.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Salt Spring Island Seniors Services Society, is appreciated.

Arrangements by Hayward’s Funeral Service. (Haywardsfuneral.com)

Rest easy, my love, and run in fields of gold.

Christina Isabelle Richardson (D’Altroy)

Obituaries

Driftwood Staff

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July 18, 2013

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Christina Isabelle Richardson (D’Altroy)

April 18, 1924 – July 18, 2013

Christina Isabelle Richardson (D’Altroy) born April 18, 1924 in Port Alberni BC passed away on Salt Spring Island on July 18, 2013 with her beloved family by her side.

We are sad to announce the sudden passing of Isabelle Richardson (nee D’altroy): our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Isabelle was pre-deceased in 2012 by her husband of nearly 70 years, John. At 89 years old Mom was beginning to recover from that loss with the support and activity provided by her wonderful Island friends. Upon retirement and move from New Westminster she and John had been residents of the Island for almost thirty years, living in the home they built near Fernwood. They were more recently settled in their unit at Roscommon.

Isabelle is survived by her three children Greg (Betty Richardson), Val (Mike MacDonald) and Frank, her beloved grandchildren Sarah, Aimee, Hana, Oonagh (Richard Savdie), Ryan, Carly, and Brendan; her 18 month old great-granddaughter Louka Savdie; her niece Lynne (Mark Fraser) and numerous nieces and nephews of her extended family.

Over the years, Isabelle has been active in community life through volunteering and social activities; participating in the Meals on Wheels program, home support services, assisting at the Tourism Information Centre, and participating in the Gulf Islands Residents Association (which planned and built the Meadowbrook Facility). Mom sang with the Lost Chords and recently enjoyed the adventure of travelling to Kamloops with them for a choir event.

Mom’s life slowly changed in the mid 1990’s when she developed Macular Degeneration. She then became a volunteer peer supporter of the CNIB. With never a complaint she continued her activities.

Mom was a dear mother, Granny, Granty and Gramma, Great-Grandmother, Auntie and friend to all. She will be greatly missed.

The family extends a special thanks to the Lady Minto Hospital staff and especially those nurses who diligently ensured her comfort in the Palliative Care Unit where she passed on a beautiful sunny afternoon with doors open to that unmatched Island air.

A service of Music and Contemplation will take place at the Salt Spring Island United Church 111 Hereford Avenue on Saturday July 27th 2013 at 4:00pm followed by a tea reception.

Donations to the Lady Minto Palliative Care Unit in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.