Ralph Pred

July 9, 1939 – May 15, 2012

Ralph Pred passed away, unexpectedly and without suffering, Tuesday, May 15, in the presence of his wife.

A philosopher, scholar, activist, author, and community organizer, his was a life of books, deep listening, thoughtful conversation, and mindful walking among the flowers, trees and birds. Kind, careful and gentle, yet not afraid to stand for what he knew to be right, Ralph was a private man who is dearly missed by his family and all who knew and loved him.

Born in the Bronx in 1939, influenced by his father’s linguistic skills, his mother’s musicianship, and the death of a great aunt in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Ralph set upon a path of social justice and life-long learning. After attending Bronx Science High School, Ralph’s passion for illuminating the mysteries of experience led to studies at Antioch, NYU, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Driven by his underlying devotion to the potential of humanity and a better future for generations, Ralph took a break from university studies to work in numerous community organization initiatives, notably as director of poverty programs in Boston and Cape Cod, and spent several summers as counsellor, then director of a children’s summer camp in Massachusetts.

Ralph returned to school in 1975, earning a masters degree at San Francisco State, and later, a PhD in Philosophy from UC Berkeley. His thesis contained the seeds of his later independent scholarship, where his enduring alignment with the work of Alfred North Whitehead and William James would bloom.

In 1990, Ralph relocated from Berkeley to the south end of Salt Spring Island with his wife Mallory, and their son, Noah. During this period he worked variously as a consultant and technical writer for PARC and EPRI. Over the years, Ralph made many contributions to the local community; his reverence for Gulf Island ecology and its natural beauty lead to his active engagement in preservation of the island’s habitat, inhabitants and culture.

The culmination of decades of scholarship, study and rigorous observation, Ralph’s book Onflow: Dynamics of Consciousness and Experience – his treatise on an unbroken, process-oriented account of experience – was published by MIT Press in 2005.

A lover of nature, music and the arts, he could often be found hiking the wilderness of the south end, finding minute wildflowers through every flowing path of his beloved hills. Practicing astronomy, absorbing poetry, playing basketball, listening to jazz, backpacking in the wild, engaging with children, and revelling late into the night with friends, Ralph’s interests were wide-ranging and expansive. Mallory’s drumming and Noah’s development as musician, DJ and composer brought him particular joy, and his enthusiastic dancing will be fondly remembered.

Ralph leaves behind his loving wife of 38 years, his son, and a large extended family in Berkeley and New York, including his stepson Martin Jones and wife Suzanne, his sister Suzanne Pred Bass and brother-in-law Lane Bass, his sisters-in-law Linda and Hjordis, nieces Michele, Emily, Becky, and Willa, nephews Joseph and Tobias, grand-nieces Linnea and Emma, and his grand-nephew Sebastian. Ralph’s brother Allan, with whom he was very close in thought and feeling, passed before him in 2007.

With an open, generous heart and inquisitive mind, Ralph’s connections were deep and true. Onflowing, ever-changing, he joins the infinite.

Ralph’s family invites you to join them on Sunday, June 3, 4PM at Beaver Point Hall, for a celebration of his life and a potluck feast.

You ask

why I perch

on a jade green mountain?

I laugh

but say nothing

my heart

free

like a peach blossom

in the flowing stream

going by

in another world

not among men

– Li Po

James (Jim)

Christopher Barber

James (Jim) Christopher Barber, affectionately known as “Bruno” among family, died peacefully on Friday May 4, 2012, after a long journey with prostate cancer.

Jim was born in Eastbourne, England, on Oct. 8, 1927, the youngest of 5 children. He lived briefly in France, then his family moved to Jersey, Channel Islands. In 1939, his family moved to Bermuda to escape the impending war.

Jim first attended a boarding school in Eastbourne at the tender age of 8. When his family moved to Bermuda in 1939, he briefly attended a local school, but soon was sent to Trinity College School in Toronto, Canada, for high school. Upon graduation, he continued his post-secondary studies at the University of Toronto, and completed his Degree in Political Science and Economics in 1950. In 1951, he began his Vancouver marine insurance underwriting career and in 1965 he joined Coast Underwriters. Jim was highly respected in the marine insurance industry, named “The Leading Underwriter “ and also earned an Honorary Lifetime Membership of the Association of Marine Underwriters of British Columbia in 1981.

Jim met his wife Ann Hamilton, from Nelson, BC, in a University of Toronto snowbank . When asked recently, he admitted quite humorously they started courting immediately. They married on Sept. 15, 1951, in Nelson, BC. They had 4 children, and raised their family in West Vancouver, BC. Jim worked hard to provide a rich life for his family, timeless summers were spent on Kootenay Lake, and winters were filled with ski trips up Grouse and Whistler Mountains. Their house on St. George’s Cres. in Gleneagles was the gathering spot for family and the irrepressibly fun “English relations”. After their move to Salt Spring, Easter was the big affair with Easter egg hunts and grandchildren in the spring garden. Christmases and Thanksgivings were celebrated with family around their bountiful and delicious table. Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne. He is mourned by his family, wife Ann, and children Tony and Ivana (Jackie and Alex), Brian (Thomas, Samantha and Madeline) and Jennifer and Mitch (Pippa, Simon, Daniel and Robyn.) He has one great-grandson, Tallis (Jackie and Ben.)

Jim loved to play soccer while at U of T, and was proudly nicknamed “Twinkle Toes” after scoring 5 goals in one game. He coached boys’ soccer in West Van in the 60s. He was also very involved in the Anglican Church in West Vancouver at both St. Stephen’s then St. Francis-in-the Wood. Dad loved to play “snooker” at the Terminal City Club during his lunch hours, and squash and tennis on weekends, and was at one time the Pacific Northwest’s squash champ. He also loved his garden, growing delicious veggies and beautiful flowers. Jim and Ann both enjoyed skiing, hiking, traveling, reading, entertaining and being entertained. They enjoyed sharing their lives with their furry friends, dogs Timmy, gentle Maggi, wonderful Chelsea, and feisty Penzy.

After semi-retirement in 1987, Jim and Ann moved to Salt Spring Island, where both deepened their involvement with the Anglican Church, and made a whole new group of wonderful friends. Jim was groundskeeper of the new All Saints by the Sea, and helped design the beautiful garden. He also started a lunch tradition at Calvin’s with a group of close Anglican friends. Jim and Ann joined the Trail and Nature Club, where Jim was Chair of the club for some time. He was also a member of 2 local groups, the infamous SSI “Eggheads” where he enjoyed lively conversations of current affairs and politics with interesting company. He also enjoyed John Mills’ private study group.

Jim suffered a debilitating stroke in 2001, but successfully recovered to enjoy life once more, but at a slower tempo. His involvement with sports was a decidedly armchair affair. Tennis and soccer matches, hockey games and the Olympics, took on new importance. In his last weeks, his love of competition remained strong, he could still manage a mean game of Checkers and Rummy. “Twinkle Toes” kept in step with his walker up and down the Lady Minto Hospital corridors right up to his last 2 weeks.

Jim was a study in stoicism, keeping his sense of humour, gentle manners, and love of life intact right up to his last days. We are so proud of him.

We wish to thank all the wonderful committed friends, who made lunches, brought fresh flowers, grapes, beer, newspapers, ice cream and conversation, and provided trips to church, Calvin’s and dinners out, to make his last days so satisfying and meaningful. Also heartfelt thanks to Dr. Woodley, and the wonderful nursing staff at Lady Minto, you all brightened our days.

The service for Jim will be held at All Saints by the Sea Anglican Church on Salt Spring Island, BC, on Friday, May 25th at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, may we suggest donations to the BC Prostate Cancer Foundation or your favorite charity.

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Dorothy Margaret Sloan

Born June 25 1919 in Victoria BC. Passed away peacefully in her sleep May 4th. Dorothy was a long time resident having moved here in 1972. She is pre-deceased by her husband Sy, son Randy, and grandson Gary.  “Dot” was an avid gardener and wasn’t happy unless she had dirt under nails and a fresh carrot to chew on.   Anywhere Dorothy lived soon became a lush garden.  The only enemies Dorothy ever knew were weeds! Dorothy had 6 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, all will miss their “GG”. Dorothy amazed us all in the past year, recovering almost miraculously from a broken hip, she was back playing bingo, Mahjong, and Crib within weeks and could not wait to get back in her garden.  We all thought she would easily make it to 100!  You were a positive influence on all our lives and will be sorely missed, Mom, we love you.  Where ever you are now, may it always be spring, and your garden weed free!  There will be a memorial tea in June. Time and place TBA.

Camille John Schreiner

Many will remember him as, ‘The Barber”, passed away Monday April 30, 2012, surrounded by his family during his last weeks on Salt Spring Island BC at the age of 81.  Camille was born April 7, 1931 in Watson, Saskatchewan to Otto and Eleanor(nee Schlitz) Schreiner.  He had 2 older sisters, Celestine “Sally” and Beatrice.  Camille grew up on the family farm and attended Hat Creek School, grades 1-8, after which he went to work; first on farms driving tractor, hauling grain, threshing and driving fuel truck in the Lake Lenore area.  In the winter, he went to work in sawmills in The Pas, MB and Prince George, BC.  He was a contemplative, quiet, stoic pillar of a man, who always had sound, solid, logical advice and words; a man of few but they were poignant.  He always enjoyed the country life and was a man of many talents and interests. He liked country music, especially the sound of the Dobro.  In his earlier years he had much fun with his cousins playing the fiddle and guitar in a band and getting up to all sorts of shenanigans as good old farm boys do!  Camille met and married his wife, Florence Marie “Flo” Schreiner, in Edmonton AB in 1956.  Soon after, they moved to Fort St. John and had 5 children together.  Camille worked on the oil rigs, as a carpenter and for the local school district as maintenance and boiler man.  In 1968, after attending Mohlor School of Barbering, thus began his 40+ year career in barbering, owning his own shop and being self employed in FSJ and SSI.  The mutual satisfaction & enjoyment was obvious between Camille and his clients, he happily obliged requests into 2012. Camille was a humble, unassuming man who took great pride in his family, career, home and yard.  He was an excellent carpenter and went on to build 5 of the family homes.  He loved living close to nature and frequented the northern woods for his great love of hunting and camping, enjoying numerous road trips; some of his favorites were across Canada and throughout the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska.  His time living in northern BC always held a special place in his heart as being some of the best times of his life!  Content in his own company, Camille had a keen interest in reading, mostly true stories of Canadian pioneers and books on wildlife & nature and kept up with his National Geographic every month. Camille had a unique, sharp, quick dry wit and wily sense of humor which always surprised and was met with great laughter around!  He was a man of immeasurable strength, perseverance and endurance, who always stood by his family.  Camille is survived by, will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Flo Schreiner, and 5 children, Colleen, Laura Lynn, Kevin, Rosalind and Cecilliea “Ceci”, 2 stepchildren, Viola and Grant.  13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.  Camille is predeceased by his parents Otto and Eleanor Schreiner, his sisters and their husbands, Sally and Joe Sterner, Beatrice and Herman Prodahl, as well as other beloved relatives…  The family wishes to thank all the friends and clients for your love and support and to thank the doctors, Lady Minto Hospital staff, home care and hospice for their excellent care, help and compassion.  Camille was a wonderful man of honor and integrity and will be fondly remembered by everyone whom he had contact…  Our father who art in heaven…  A celebration of life will be at a later date.

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DOBELL,

Richard Ravenscroft

Richard Ravenscroft “Dick” Dobell passed away peacefully on April 26, 2012 in South Surrey, B.C. He was born in 1922 in Cheshire, England to parents Alfred Temple and Gladys Dobell. Dick is survived by sons James (Brenda), Peter (Tracy) and grandchildren Michael (Laura), Alison (Bryan), Laura, Charlsy, Tegan and great grandson, Avery. He was predeceased by his first wife Pamela (mother of James and Peter), second wife Vivienne and granddaughter Claire.

Dick immigrated to Canada with Pam and his young family in 1950 and began a long and successful career in the lumber business. Dick was also an avid boater and a member of the West Van Yacht Club for over twenty years. Retiring to Salt Spring Island he spent many happy years involved with the tennis club, beach combing and cultivating his vegetables. He was a true gentleman and we will miss him dearly.

A memorial will be held on Salt Spring Island at a later date. Contact rdobellmemorial@gmail.com for details.