MURRAY SUMPTON

December 2, 1925 -May 8, 2013

He spent his final days at home on Salt Spring Island surrounded by loving family and looking out at his beloved ocean and garden view.

Murray was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and moved with his family to Vancouver in the mid thirties. He graduated from North Vancouver High School in 1943 and from UBC as an electrical engineer in 1948. He began working at Wismer and Rawlings Electric in 1956. He became president of that company in 1973 and continued in that role until his retirement in 1993.

Murray was predeceased by his first wife Anna and his daughter Elizabeth. He is survived by his second wife Laurel Gordon and children Christopher Sumpton (Beverly Dywan),Sue Ann Burns (Cameron), Erika Harrison, Kevin Harrison (Alexandra Hounsell) and six grandchildren, Bryn, Christina, Graham, Riel, Samuel and Avery.

Celebration of his life will be held at St. Andrews United Church in North Vancouver on June 8, 2013 at 3pm with reception following In lieu of flowers please consider donation to www.saltspringislandfoundation.org in memory of Murray.

GORDON RICHARD (DICK) MATTHEWS

April 20, 1931 – May 6, 2013)

Dick Matthews passed away at home on May 6, 2013, surrounded by his wife of 55 years, Diane, and their 5 children. Always determined, he stared down cancer briefly and then decided not to linger.

A perfect day for Dick started before dawn trolling for salmon in the waters around Salt Spring Island. His crew was Diane, who watched for ferries, his son Gord, and a daughter or two (under duress), and perhaps a son-in-law and a grandchild. He would triumphantly sound the number of fish in the catch on the boat horn on return to the Tin Hut. One long blast of the horn announced that they had been skunked and he was ready for a Caesar.

Dick lived in Aklavik, NWT, until he was 7 years old. His family then settled in Vancouver. He attended Point Grey Junior High, Magee High and UBC. In between football games, soccer games, and dates with Diane, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (Econ.) and a Bachelor of Laws from UBC. He was an excellent athlete, earning Big Block letters in football and soccer. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.

Dick articled with the law firm Andrews, Swinton & Smith and went on to a successful career as a businessman and a lawyer with Columbia Cellulose, Trans Mountain Pipeline, Rayonier Canada, and Western Forest Products. He was a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, serving as the gunnery officer at HMCS Discovery. He had a huge work ethic at home and in the office.

In 1957 Dick and Diane were married. They built a home in West Vancouver where they raised their children. In 1970 Dick and Diane bought property on Salt Spring Island on which they placed the Tin Hut. The summers were great fun for our family and the friends whom Dick and Diane loved to entertain there. In 2009 the Tin Hut had done its time so Dick and Diane built their dream beach house. The family loves to gather there for special occasions and for ordinary ones.

Dick and Diane loved to golf. They had many enjoyable vacations on Maui, in Palm Dessert, and further afield; some of their favourite holidays were with their good friends Beth and Bob Weese.

Dick loved words: he often invented new words and phrases such as “uggle buggle juice” and “hotchastrosnia”; he had a tendency to unilaterally change the pronunciation of existing words to make them more apt; and he used nicknames for most people (sometimes without their knowledge). He was a genius at crossword puzzles.

Dick was fiercely loyal. His family was extremely important to him. No favour was too big to ask; no support was too great for him to provide. He had broad shoulders and we leaned on them often. He is survived by Diane and their children: Dana (Greig), Leslie (Paul), Nancy, Gordon (Barb) and Sharon (Rob); his grandchildren: Matthews, Gordon, Hayden, Larissa, Christopher, Nicole, Natasha, Mariah and Cruize; nieces and nephews and his cousin, Bill Robertson. He was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Molly, and his brother, Mike.

We already miss his broad shoulders but we learned from him how to give our own to each other and how to work hard. No gifts could be greater.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, 1068 Inglewood Avenue, West Vancouver. A reception in West Vancouver will follow. The family gratefully declines flowers. Those who wish could consider a donation to the BC Cancer Agency or the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Roger Alexander Hughes

January 3, 1932 – May 6, 2013

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roger A. Hughes on Monday May 6 2013 after a long and taxing illness. Roger was born on January 3 1932 to Alexander and Lucille (Boxall) Hughes in Folkestone, Kent, England. The Family Immigrated to Canada in 1947, settling in Langley, B.C. After graduating high school, Roger worked briefly in a coal mine, and later in the Banking industry. In 1958 he purchased a farm (Burgoyne Dairy) on Salt Spring Island, which was one of only a few registered non-pasteurized dairy farms in British Columbia. While settling into the lifestyle and ways of a farmer, playing badminton at Fulford Hall he met his first young bride to be. After marrying they had 4 children together – Lorne Allen (Tracey) Hughes, of Bonanza, Alberta, Lisa Anne (Devin) Hughes-Fisher, of Shawnigan Lake, BC, Paula Marion (Darren Culbert) Hughes, of Kelowna, BC, and Ross Andrew Hughes, of Salt Spring Island, BC. In 1989 Roger divorced and sold the farm to run a successful trucking business, which he had done throughout most of the time while on the farm. In 2001 Roger said good-bye to Salt Spring and moved to Surrey, BC, where he reluctantly tried to retire. He leaves behind his current partner Linda Royal of Surrey, BC, his sister Claire (Glen) Tremaine, of Nanaimo, BC, brother Charles (Pauline) Hughes, of Abbotsford, BC, grandchildren Emily Hughes, of Bonanza, Alt., Nolan Willie, of Victoria, BC, many nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances. Roger will be lovingly remembered for his trusting spirit, infectious laughter, fittingly his (truckers) mouth, and notoriously bad driving skills. No service upon request.

Marilyn Emma Leavitt

April 13, 1938 – April 28, 2013

Predeceased by her first husband Mr. Fokey and second husband Al Leavitt. Marilyn was born in Southbend, Indiana and was Secretary Statistition at Studebaker, Indiana, Secretary Bookkeeper Mercedes Benz, Traffic Manager in Castlegar at CKQR Radio, held postions at Victoria Bank of Commerce and Salt Spring Island Credit Union.

Marilyn was an energetic friend to many and kind to all. She was a concerned friend to her Park Place Estates family and will be sorely missed.

No service by request.

Pamela, Mastenbroek

July 14th 1918 – April 27th 2013

Pam passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Predeceased by her husband John.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Ann, (Bruce), and her Grandson Andrew.

Also her brother Antony Hopkins in the UK.

Pam graduated from The Royal College Of Veterinary surgeons in 1941, and practiced Veterinary Medicine in both England and Toronto, Ontario.

She met her husband John, in Canada, and in 1963 returned to Europe, living in Holland, England and Switzerland until their return to Canada in 1976. Their love of sailing had lead them to Salt Spring where they chose to remain.

Pam always loved her garden, dogs, horses, and all animals and enjoyed them with her daughter as well. She took great pride in her Grandson’s graduation from UBC, and at the age of 91, attended the graduation ceremony, a highlight of her later years.

After her husband’s passing, she took great pleasure and spent many hours volunteering at Seniors for Seniors.

The family is deeply grateful for the thoughtfulness of friends, the exceptional care of Greenwoods staff, Lady Minto Hospital, and the Ambulance Service.

A special thank you to Dr. Reznick, and his staff, for the many years of care.

There will be no service, however those who wish to remember and honour Pam, please consider a donation to Seniors for Seniors, or the Greenwoods Foundation.

Virginia Newman

January 18, 1923 to April 26, 2013

Musician, Teacher, Raging Granny, Islander, Mother, Grandmother, Great Gramma.

Virginia is predeceased by husband Ray and her sister, Carol (Don) Wood, and leaves behind children Bruce (Suzanne) in Calgary; Paul (Clemencia) in Vancouver; Wendy in Ladner/Vista, California; Sue (Finbar) on Salt Spring and Amy (Richard) in Vancouver/Barkerville, plus eleven grandchildren:Eric (Shelley); Angela (JJ); Morgan (Luc); Liam (Jamie); Elanor (Brian); Sara; Aaron; Jeffrey (Joanna); Lisa (Paul); Lauren (Sean) and Patrice; and fourteen great grandchildren: Silas; River; Lilith; Zoe; Sam; Izak; Clayton; Marcus; Tessa;  Gavin; Chase; Nolan; Sydney and Maryn. Also left behind are nephews Bob, Doug and Greg (Akemi); niece Laurie (Mike) and great nieces and nephews, cousins Doris (Tom) and Dionne (Ron) and their family trees.

There will be a potluck celebration of Virginia’s life this summer with music and stories to share. Date/location TBA.

Does anyone out there remember what happened when the Grannies protested the nuclear subs at Nanoose Bay? Were you all arrested? Please phone me and settle a family bet . . . Sue, 250-537-5289.

Bill Kirby

1932 – 2013

Bill Kirby kept his love of dogs, birds, music, friends and family to the end. He died at Greenwoods, having received the kindest of loving care, on April 24th with his wife, Avril at his side. Through his sometimes troubled life he remained generous and big-spirited. He conquered many demons and made dreams come true, living with gusto and enthusiasm and doing his best to be a good husband to Avril and father to his two sons David (Charise) and Brian. He will be missed by many and loved always. Put down your sword and rest now Bill.