On Feb 13th in the early morning hours, Gordon Scarff passed away in the Lady Minto Hospital on

Salt Spring Island at the age of 93 years. He was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on July 2nd, 1915. After

many years of logging and milling on North Pender, Gordon arrived on Saltspring in 1962 to begin

his newly formed company, Scarff Equipment Ltd. For many years, Gordon wielded machinery and

equipment on all parts of the Island, working cooperatively with the provincial government and local

municipalities on roads, water and sewer lines and many other projects where his backhoes and

other equipment could be put to use. There is a Scarff Lane near Ganges, named after him as a tribute

to his contributions to the road and housing infrastructure of Salt Spring Island as we know it today.

Gordon trained for his private pilots licence in the Spring of 1973 and on May 18th of that year he

took his fi rst solo fl ight in a Cessna 150.

Gordon is survived by his daughters Dr. Carol Scarff of Kelowna, BC and Audrey Shaw of Victoria BC;

grandchildren, Dr. Ronald Seatter and Donald Seatter of Ottawa, ON, Eugene Seatter of Vancouver,

BC, Amanda Clark of Lacombe, AB, Robert Shaw and Emily Madeline Shaw of Victoria, BC; and sister

Florence Harris of San Marcos, California. He also leaves behind fi ve great-grandchildren, namely

Brandon, Brooklynn and Jayde Seatter of Ottawa, ON; Tessa Virley O’Connor and Madeline Virley

Seatter of Ottawa, ON.

Gordon is predeceased by his wife, Madeline Ayers Scarff; his parents, Susan Rothwell Scarff and

David A. Scarff; and fi ve siblings, Clara, Geordie, Evelyn, Edwin and Harold.

In lieu of a memorial service a private family wake was held at

Gordon’s favourite haunts on the Island in order to celebrate his life

through storytelling, laughter and tears. The interment will take place at

the Garden of Devotion, Hatley Memorial, Victoria, BC at a later date.

Those inquiring of a way to offer condolences to the family and honour

Gordon’s life are encouraged to give a donation in his name to the

Canadian Cancer Society.

Our Father’s approach to life was enthusiastic, bold,

and full of song!

Sincerely submitted, Carol & Audrey

May 25, 1916 to February 12, 2009

Ken passed away February 12, 2009 in the Lady Minto Hospital, Salt Spring Island. Ken was born May 25, 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be sorely missed by Noreen (nee MacRitchie), his loving wife of 66 years, daughter Maureen (Peter Rowell), son Reed and grandson Patrick.

Ken was raised in Vancouver where he attended Kitsilano School, and was active in the Maraloma Sports Club. After Ken left the armed service he joined Chevron Canada, was transferred to Prince George in the early 50’s as Sales Engineer for Northern BC, and retired from their Vancouver office in 1981. Later in life he continued his love of sports by becoming a member of the newly-formed Hollyburn Winter Club where curling became his passion.

In retirement Ken and Noreen left West Vancouver for Ladner, then moved to French Creek on Vancouver Island. Ken’s love of fishing took him to the waters of Pender Harbour looking for “the biggest fish ever” and upon retirement, they enjoyed golfing the beautiful courses of Vancouver Island. Three years ago Ken and Noreen moved to Salt Spring Island’s Meadowbrook to be near family.

The family would like to thank Dr. Malherbe, Home Care Nurses and the staff of the Lady Minto Hospital for all their care, help and understanding during his illness. Ken was a prince of a man who enriched the lives of all who knew him.

Born September 28, 1915, Jack passed away on February 2, 2009

after a full and rewarding life. He will be greatly missed by his wife Alice

and children John (Jandi), Richard (Sarah), Pamela (Drew) and Bruce

(Catherine). Grandfather to: Graham, Lisa, John Campbell, Alicia, Richard,

Laura, Adam, Elizabeth, Jean, Claire and Anya. Great Grandfather to:

Amelia, Wyatt and Felix.

Jack was born and raised in Victoria and attended South Park Elementary

and Victoria High schools. His career with the Royal Trust in Victoria

spanned four decades. During World War II Jack served in the Royal

Canadian Navy as a navigator on the corvette HMCS Calgary escorting

convoys across the North Atlantic.

Jack and Alice were both born in Victoria and enjoyed the company of

their life-long friends, many of whom gathered to celebrate their sixtieth

wedding anniversary in 2002. Jack was an avid sportsman playing soccer,

basketball and tennis in his early years. He later devoted many hours to

refi ning his golf game, square dancing and bridge skills. He continued to

play tennis into his eighties. His friendship, positive outlook and sense of

humour will be long treasured and remembered.

No fl owers please. Funeral service to be held at All Saints by the Sea,

Ganges, Salt Spring Island on Saturday, February 14 at 2PM. Reception

to follow in the church hall. Yes, it is Valentine’s Day, but then Dad was a

real sweetheart.

Aug. 17, 1937 – February 1, 2009

Doug sailed to uncharted waters 

with a happy heart and his parting

mantra, “It’s not the screw-up: it’s the recovery that counts.”

Bidding him a loving farewell are Jackie; Karen and Cookie, Josh and Hal Cook; Tracy and Phil, Alexis, Natasha, Olivia and Liam Dean-Jones; Doug, Douglas and Josie Truscott; Lara and John, Calli and Phoebe Gossett.

“The flowrs bloom

and time passis. 

The spring blooms agen, 

but my loveing thoghts, 

will bring happynes to you!”

-Calli xox

Vera Frances Petapiece passed away suddenly on January 26, 2009 in Prince George Regional Hospital.

Vera was born November 13, 1919 in Dauphin, Manitoba. Predeceased by her husband Bill, sister nora Chester and brother tom reeves. she is survived by: her two loving daughters, Frances and her husband Bruce, and Helen Scott; grandchildren Scott (Angela) Thornton and Kimberly (George) Pryschlak; great grandchildren Courtney, Abby, Connor and Amy; good friend Carol and special niece Molly.

Vera moved from Salt Spring Island to Prince George in 2002 to be near her family. While on the island, Vera enjoyed the Hiking Club, Pottery Guild, the Hospital Auxiliary and visits with her family living on Salt Spring.

Donations may be made in Vera’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society

October 29, 1922 – January 23, 2009

Ron, born in East London, worked in the family grocery business until called to serve in 1942 with the British 8th Army. As an infantry man and wireless operator he fought with the 78th division, Royal West Kent Regiment in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. After the war he continued to serve in Vienna and London until his discharge in 1947. He ran a general store and cafe in Blackfen until he moved to Ontario in 1957. His sisters, Iris and Vera, felt he was a “great brother” and they missed him dearly when he left for Canada. He continued in retail for a while but eventually became a civil servant working for Ontario Housing, Ontario Corrections and the Queen Street Mental Health Centre. He and his wife Joan moved to Salt Spring in 1991 in order to join his son Derrick and his family. Ron, always full of laughter

had a great love for history, music, dancing, animals, travel and his family.

MEMORIAL AND CELEBRATION OF RON’S LIFE

February 8th, 2:00 pm

at The Harbour House Green Room

(easy wheel chair and walker access via the rear door)

words of memory 2:15, last post 2:30, music,

sing-along and the “chicken dance” to follow.

Peacefully at her home on St. Mary Lake, Salt Spring Island, BC, on January 20, 2009. Born June 3, 1923 in Crowborough, Sussex, in spite of a nightingale, Mary was 16 when war broke out and soon joined the Land Army, milking cows and driving a tractor until old enough to join the WAAF, where she became a plotter and later a radar operator. Disillusioned with postwar Britain, she came to Canada in 1948, and after a year in Toronto settled happily in Vancouver where she worked for the CNR. She attended Normal School to become a teacher, first at Trafalgar Elementary, and later at Prince of Wales High School, studying for a BA and M.Ed by night school and correspondence. Mary was invited to fill in at UBC for one year, and UBC never let her go. Together with  colleague Pat Wakefield they pioneered the teaching of English as a Second Language. Mary was an active member and frequent keynote speaker for TEAL, TESL Canada and TESOL. She was known among her peers as “Miss ESL” and provided advice and counsel to government, educational and community groups throughout Canada. Her international reputation earned her the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, three honorary doctorates from the University of British Columbia, York University and St. Mary’s University, and a Fellowship of OISE. In March, 1988 the Cities of Vancouver and Richmond proclaimed “ESL and Professor Mary Ashworth Week”. Hundreds of students and teachers worldwide are grateful for her guidance and inspiration. Her interests on the island included the United Church, Rotary Club, the Lost Chords, the Garden Club and 4-H. The family deeply appreciates the loving care given to Mary by Gina, Val, Laura, Alex, Adele, Brenda, Peggy and other health professionals who cared for Mary.

Sister, aunt, gardener, lover of roses, Mary will be deeply missed by her sister, Margaret Spencer, her nephews Jonathan (Julie), Michael (Connie), Christopher (Carolina) and niece, Mary. Caitlin, Mika, Cole, Emily, Elizabeth and Madeline will miss their GAM.

A memorial service will be held at

The United Church, 111 Hereford Avenue

Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC

on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army, or the charity of your choice, will be appreciated.