Alan Edward Gear

APRIL 29, 1946 – APRIL 9, 2012

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Alan Gear announce his passing after a brief illness, on April 9, 2012 at the age of 65.

Al will be lovingly remembered by Carole, his wife of 39 years, and his children Devon (Steve), and Alan Jr.  Al will also be forever remembered by his sister Marguerite Lee, 1 niece and 2 nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Ted and Daisy Gear.

Al was born on Saltspring Island, BC, on April 29, 1946.  He graduated from Gulf Islands Secondary School and then began a diverse working life which included the marine industry as a mate/master and a marine surveyor, allowing him many adventures along the BC coast. Al also worked in real estate; he owned the Vesuvius Store on Saltspring and spent many years in the residential construction business.

Al took pleasure in life from many different things, he loved spending time with his wife, kids,  friends, his pets, community projects, trapshooting, woodworking, road trips, history, reading, gardening, and he enjoyed good food. Volunteering his skills and his time was important to Al; he was a life member of the Saltspring Island Farmers Institute, a member of both the Saltspring Island Rod and Gun Club, and the Forest Grove Rod and Gun Club, and Ducks Unlimited. He was also a 25 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Al enjoyed a brief retirement in the home that he built in Lone Butte, BC located in the Cariboo, a place that he loved.

A Celebration of Al’s life will be announced at a later date.

Those who desire may make a memorial donation in Al’s memory to the BCSPCA, Box 1948, 100 Mile House, BC, V0K 2E0.  spca.bc.ca/100milehouse/

100 Mile Funeral Service Ltd. entrusted

with the arrangements.  1-877-595-3243

Mildred Louise Young

(NEE COLEMAN)

July 10, 1924 to April 3, 2012 Mildred (‘Millie’) was born at home on the Coleman family farm ‘Rondeau Manor’ near Blenheim Ontario. She graduated from business college in London Ontario, worked in office administration, raised four children, and enjoyed sailing and travel in various parts of the world with her husband of 37 years Richard Young (predeceased in 2000). Millie and Dick actively enjoyed their retirement moving to Salt Spring from Toronto in 1985. More recently Millie had the company of her first husband Oliver Stewart. ‘Stew’ died in September 2011.

She was much loved and will be greatly missed by her daughters Brenda (Rod) Scotvold and Nancy (Michael) Simms, sons Budd Stewart and Peter (Marion) Young, and grandchildren Krista Scotvold and Braden and Nevan Young.

Millie was a primary member and past Regent of the IODE, and a lifetime member of the United Church.

There will be no service at Mom’s request. Interment will be at Burgoyne United Church, Salt Spring Island B.C.

?

Margaret Evelyn

(Archibald) Rithaler

June 29, 1927 – April 3, 2012

Margaret is remembered by family and friends as a strong-willed, but compassionate and caring spirit, always going out of her way to meet the needs of others.

Margaret Evelyn Rithaler passed away peacefully after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, on April 3, 2012 at 3:00 pm, just as the sun shone through the clouds, surrounded by her loving family at Lady Minto Hospital, Salt Spring Island, B.C.

Margaret was predeceased by husband Edward Powell Rithaler in 1991. She is survived by her two sons, Paul and Mark (Loretta), daughter Cathé Karner, six grandchildren (Angela, Michael, Anna, William, Nicholas, Patrick), brother William Archibald (Pat), and an extended Archibald-Rithaler family.

Margaret will be greatly missed by all who knew her and the hearts and lives she touched. Margaret’s family wish to acknowledge their gratitude to Dr. David Woodley, Lady Minto Hospital and Greenwoods staff for their care and support through her journey. Special thanks to Alyson Pilon, Pam Donnelly and Josie Roland for their compassion and friendship. A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 2:00pm at Ganges United Church, with tea to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gulf Islands Early Learning Society in honour of Margaret’s life-long dedication and commitment to teaching and education, or to Salt Spring Hospice.

Jean Agnes

Johnston

February 16, 1920 –

April 2, 2012

Please join us for a

“Celebration of Life”

at Ganges United Church,

111 Hereford Avenue

On May 19, 2012 at 2:30pm.

Refreshments to follow.

Catherine Florence

Moulton (Kit)

1920 – 2012

It is with the heaviest hearts that the family of Catherine Florence Moulton (Kit) announce her passing. She leaves her children, Barbara, Gary, Jim, Cathy, Donna and Tom to join their father Art, who passed in 1995. Celebration TBA. Forever in our hearts.

Edward Melville (Mel)

Sumner

December 20, 1920 – March 23, 2012

Edward Melville (Mel) Sumner passed away suddenly at his home on March 23, 2012 in Vernon, B.C.; Mel was born in Victoria, Dec 30, 1920; lived in Duff Sask, Sexsmith AB, Toronto ON, where he married Allison (nee Bentley) in 1942. Mel joined the pioneering propane industry in the west in 1949 serving in various capacities in Westlock, Prince George, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, & Nanaimo. He built his dream home on SSI in 1975. He served with BC Ferries until his retirement in 1986. He was very active in the community for 35 years on many Boards and Societies. He served on the Meadowbrook Board and assisted in youth advocacy (Court Diversion, Kanaka Skate Park). He will be dearly missed by his daughters Sharon (Dan) Bell and Colleen (Kevin) Edstrom; sons Murray (Kay) and Greg (Colleen); 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife Allison, to whom he was married for 62 years. We are grateful for the care he received by Dr Woodley and his staff and to Mel’s many dear friends on the Island.  Mel was residing with his son Greg and daughter-in-law Colleen in Vernon for the past two years.

The family would be pleased to have you join us in a farewell Celebration of Life at Salt Spring United Church Saturday, June 16th at 3:00p.m. … not to grieve, but to bring a smile and share a few recollections and share tea together. Rev Allister Skinner presiding .In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mel’s honor to Salt Spring Island Foundation (Box 244 Ganges PO Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2V9) or Meadowbrook Seniors Residence (121 Atkins Road Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2X7).

YZ