Douglas Warren Martin
1939 – 2017

Douglas Warren Martin of Saltspring Island died on May 19, 2017, at the age of 78, as a consequence of Parkinson’s disease. Doug was born in Berkeley, California, in 1939. His parents were the late Marvin D. Martin and Norberta K. Martin, also of Saltspring Island. Doug graduated from Livermore High School (in California) and Armstrong Business College (at Berkeley). He was an independent businessman, providing purchasing services to private and public entities.

Doug is remembered by friends and family as a seaman through and through. In 1966, at the age of 26, he sailed the 32-foot sloop Avanti from San Francisco to Honolulu with his wife and six-year-old son as crew. Some 700 miles out of Honolulu, a hurricane toppled the mast; still, the Avanti completed its 26-day voyage under the sail power of a jury-rigged spinnaker. This adventure set precedent for a lifelong philosophy of independence and survival, a preference for all things “off the beaten path,” and an attitude of “no one can stop me.” Doug was an avid reader, and it comes as no surprise that his favorite book was Sterling Hayden’s autobiographical Wanderer, a sea adventure featuring independence and the flouting of convention.

In 1973, Doug moved to Port Alberni, BC, and built a home near Sproat Lake. In 1989, he moved to Saltspring Island, where he hand-crafted yet another home at Long Harbour. In the course of his near 30 years on Saltspring, Doug could often be found on the Ben Gunn, still moored at Grace Point.

Doug is survived by his three children – Steven Douglas Martin of Hawaii, Sandra Ann Martin of Hawaii, and Julie Kristine Martin of Victoria; by his three grandchildren Christopher Peterson of Hawaii, Ryan Peterson of Hawaii, and Amanda Mills of Victoria; by his sister Susan Romano of New Mexico and her husband Roberto; and by his niece and nephews Raquel, Alex, Robbie, and Nicholas Romano. He is fondly remembered by Betty Campbell of California, Jeanette Martin of Victoria, and Judy Sproule of Vancouver.

Memorial services will be held on Saltspring on September 24 and in Hawaii on November 11 of 2017.

Kevin Charles Marks
07/08/1953 – 07/08/2017

May the winds of heaven blow softly
and whisper in your ear,
How much we love and miss you,
and wish that you were here.

Kevin Charles Marks aged 64 of Saltspring Island passed away peacefully after a long struggle with cancer surrounded by family at Lady Minto Hospital in Ganges.

Survived by his older son Philip (Taryn) and younger son Christopher (Gabby) and grandchildren Maryke, John and Lyla, His sister Tina (Malcolm Gray), and niece Kelly (Ian Ford), and nephew Anthony Marks (TerryLynn).

Kevin was born on 7/8/1953 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England to Jean and Charles Marks both of whom are pre-deceased.

Kevin worked as a milkman to help put himself through college and then became an accountant. In 1976 he married Helen (Cotterill) and had his first son Philip. He brought his family to Vancouver Island in 1983 for a year and then after a brief stint back in England finally brought his family back with his second son Christopher and settled down on Saltspring Island where he changed his trade to painter and decorator and had his own store, Paint Plus in Ganges. Following divorce he met Carol (Gay) and helped raise her four children, Suzanne, Liz, Catherine and Alex for many years. In later years he met Nancy (Coburn) and she was with him till he passed on.

Kevin was a jolly person, always had a smile and a joke to tell, loved to help his sons with projects (he could fix anything). He also loved fishing and cooking (curry of course!). He was always a willing helper and had good work ethics. He spent many happy hours chatting with his sister Tina.

It was always important to Kevin that his boys were happy.
Kevin will be sadly missed by his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Please join us at the Celebration of Life that will be held at the Legion in Ganges on Saltspring Island, 27th August at 2pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the cancer society of B.C.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Reznick, Anne Miller RN and all the hospital staff at Lady Minto for the support and wonderful kindness shown Kevin.

Also would like to thank Carol for being a wonderful supportive caregiver during Kevin’s illness and her husband Alan Johnson – Thank you.

NILS CHRISTENSEN
Aug. 15, 1921 – Aug. 6, 2017

Nils was born in Høvik, Norway and served in the Norwegian Merchant Navy and the Royal Norwegian Air Force in World War II. Nils emigrated to Canada in 1951 and worked for de Havilland Aircraft of Canada and Sault Airways in Ontario, and Victoria Flying Club and Forest Industries Flying Tankers in B.C. Together with his wife Sheila, he established Viking Air Ltd. in 1970.

Nils has been honoured by Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (2012), B.C. Aviation Hall of Fame (2016), Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Hall of Fame (2003), Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal (2012) and the Robert Hope Pursuit of Excellence Award. Nils has also been awarded lifetime memberships to the Royal Canadian Legion and the B.C. Aviation Museum.

Nils was predeceased by his infant son, John Nils. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sheila; daughters, Randi and Marit; son, Erik; grandchildren, Stephanie, Nils, Jenna and Michelle; and great-granchildren, Dakota, Taylor, Kiersten and Tait.

A Celebration of Nils’ Life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 at 1 pm at the B.C. Aviation Museum, Sidney.

Jennifer Baxter
May 12, 1962 – July 28, 2017

A brilliant, loving, daughter, sister, aunt, daycare worker and artist, left her grieving family on July 28, 2017 and is already deeply missed. Jennifer grew up in Priddis, Alberta on a forested acreage where her passionate love of nature took hold and stayed with her until she died.

Before she became ill with Parkinsons Jennifer loved being on Mt. Washington either skiing, snowshoeing or hiking, and in her earlier days  skiing and hiking on Mt. Norquay in Banff where she worked for 3 years. When Jen lived on Salt Spring Island she had a lovely yellow kayak and enjoyed paddling the areas around the Island and a number of times kayaked the Broken Islands with her family. Walking was one of her passions, whether to her Salt Spring Island daycare work or in the Valley when she moved here in 2002.  Jennifer loved being with the children she worked with in the daycares and she was immensely sad when her Parkinsons caused her to leave her work. Through all of these years Jen managed to stay connected with her painting either in classes on Salt Spring, here in the Valley and at L’Arche – it was one of her greatest joys. Her favourite subjects?  Without a doubt, birds and flowers! And a favourite pastime? Jen loved nothing more than cruising in her sister’s little truck listening to ‘golden oldies’.

We want to thank Dr. Laura Bell for her loving care of Jennifer, and Tracy Black and the Gatehouse staff for taking such good care of our beloved daughter and sister for almost 3 years. And a special thank you to the L’Arche community for offering Jen such beautiful support and inspiration. A few weeks before she died she told us she was so sad because she wouldn’t see her friends anymore…you all meant so much to her.

Jennifer leaves behind her parents, John and Rosemary Baxter and her sister Diane in Courtenay, and her brother Greg and his wife Leslie, and their son Sean in Edmonton. And her Uncles and Aunts, cousins and many friends, on Salt Spring Island, in Courtenay and elsewhere.

A celebration of life will be held near the end of August. In lieu of flowers please consider supporting L’Arche Comox Valley.

Richard Essington Weston
August 1, 1933 – August 1, 2017

Rick passed away on August 1, 2017 in Victoria General Hospital after a fall in Braehaven caused by a massive stroke.

Rick is survived by his loving  wife Ling (of 43 years), his first wife Judith & 2 sons: Nigel & David (Marsha), Grandchildren Billy & Dasha; also 3 stepsons: Russ (Wendy), Mark (Mayumi), Marshall & Nick (Lynn) Kirin & Jasmine.

Someone comforted me by saying, “Rick came to this world on 1st August and left also on 1st August… how poetic !!!”

Rick came from two pioneering families of Australia (Zouch & Throsby). He had a blessed life being the only child born late in life  to  his parents. Rick  graduated  from St. Peter’s College in Adelaide, South Australia.

Since childhood Rick had always been intrigued by radio. In his youth he joined an amateur theatre group playing leading roles & always getting the girl in the end. (Born Yesterday). In  1956 Rick first started with commercial radio  in Adelaide (5dn & 5ka). Then he headed to the “old country” (England) as most Australians do, drawn to it like Mecca.

He first landed in Toronto, Canada where he worked with a commercial radio station for one and a half years. His journey was cut short by his mother’s illness. Unfortunately he didn’t get back to Adelaide before her passing.

After his return Rick joined abc am Station (Australian Broadcasting Station) in 1962, and transferred to the fm station when it was formed in 1975. Rick was a founding member of abc fm & worked as a producer & presenter until he retired due to health reasons.

We retired to Salt Spring in 1988. People told us Salt Spring is also known  as God’s waiting room. What a place to wait !!!

Rick presented both classical & middle of the road music. His Sunday morning program was called Listeners Choice (classical), straight down the middle & kaleidoscope programmes. He had many fans.

My favourite programme was the series he produced called Hollywood Musical History from 1920 to the present.

What impressed me the most was years ago one of his fans ordered his grandson to give Rick a call when the the grandson was  passing through Vancouver on his holiday. Unfortunately Rick was out walking  & the grandson left a message with me  for Rick.

I was to tell Rick that “his grandpa had taped every one of Rick’s  programmes of Kaleidoscope (all 7 years of it!) and had them donated to abc  radio station.

After 25 years working with Australian Broadcasting whenever people ask him what was his profession, he always said, “ Broadcaster.” Strangely a lot of people in this digital age didn’t understand the word and asked, “Broadcasting what?”

While on Salt Spring Rick & his buddy Richard Moses volunteered for the local fm station after a lot of hard work to get it started.   They took turns to present the classical music programmes until Rick had his first stroke. Though Rick was a quiet man after losing his voice (his alter ego), through the hugs & condolences I received  from people I know and from people I don’t know, I know from the bottom of my heart that he would be sadly missed.

My heartfelt thanks to Access Care staff, Beacon Community Services, Braehaven & staff, Lady Minto Hospital & staff, Ambulance Services & staff & Victoria hospital & staff where Rick received tender loving care while waiting, (and finally got) the helicopter ride!

No memorial service at his request.

Please donate to our one and only Lady Minto Hospital instead of flowers.

James Keith Welsh, Phd
1940 to 2017

Jim passed away in the early hours of July 27 leaving behind his wife Gisela, daughter Johanna (Bob) and three grandchildren, sister Jane (Ken) and family.

Jim’s life was one of many interests and skills, all of which he shared readily with everyone. He enjoyed music, singing was a big part of his life in later years. Folk dancing was a hobby he enjoyed, particularly to live music in many countries of the world.

He often quoted the closing words of the ‘Red Green Show’ – “If the women don’t find you handsome, they better find you handy.” Jim was handy, there was nothing he could not fix.

As a radio amateur, he enjoyed the Salt Spring Island club. His helpful nature will be missed by many.
Many thanks to Dr. Reznick and the nursing staff at Lady Minto Hospital.

A Celebration of Life to take place August 27, 1-4pm at 290 Southbank Drive, Salt Spring Island.

Online condolences to be made at: www.haywardsfuneral.com  250-537-1022

George Armand Quesnel
November 22, 1944 – July 28, 2017

George passed away July 28th at Victoria General Hospital, Victoria, BC, with his son and daughter by his side. After a lengthy struggle, he is finally at peace. He lived his life according to George, and made his final call.

Survived by son Richard Quesnel and daughter Linda Quesnel (Ken), brother Larry Quesnel (Leslee), sister Betsy Baines (Lloyd) and numerous friends.

Richard and Linda would like to thank all who cared for George. We are eternally grateful.

No service by request.

John Charles Yuille
December 1, 1941 – July 23, 2017

John Yuille found freedom, release, and stillness from his 19 month journey with cancer, just after midnight, on Sunday, July 23. John’s spouse of 36 years, Judith Daylen, was with him as he passed on…through…beyond.

John was complex, brilliant, gentle, usually respectfully opinionated, strong-minded (stubborn), kind, fearless, and generous. Always ready to be counted on, John was the one you wanted with you in a crisis, the one who remained calm and decisive. He was also an empiricist and pragmatist who accepted with equanimity what life brought his way.

John was a superlative communicator, both privately and publicly, as a confidante, a professor (psychology department at UBC for 35 years), a teacher, and an expert witness in courts throughout the world. He was always able to help us see the forest when we became entangled in the trees.

John leaves a wonderful and beneficial professional legacy, dedicated to fairness and justice for victims of crime, especially vulnerable children. His work lives on in the practice of many mental health and legal professionals throughout Canada, the USA and Europe.

John was a good man who died with no fear, no regrets, and no unfinished business (other than missing out on one last visit to his beloved casa in Mexico).  He loved his work, his family, his dogs, his friends, and this island, and he was loved in return—a well-lived life—through and through.

John is survived by his family on Saltspring Island: spouse, Judith Daylen; step-son, Zak Cutshall and spouse, Melissa, and grandchildren, Wresten and Aidan; and, his step-daughter in Atlanta, GA., Shannon Wolfman (aka Tracy) and spouse, Jonathan Wolfman. We cannot adequately describe the fullness and the emptiness we feel with John’s passing, other than to note feeling the depth, profundity, and poignancy of love—and, the blessings we find in his release from suffering.

Deep bows of gratitude to Dr. Ron Reznick and Dr. J.P. McGhie (Victoria Cancer Clinic) for treating John with such care, kindness, and respect throughout his illness. John’s passage was also greatly eased by the gentle, good-humored, and respectful care provided by the nurses and staff at Lady Minto and the community care team. Deep gratitude to you all for giving so whole-heartedly and for connecting with us like family.   We are also profoundly grateful for the love and support during this journey provided by family and friends and members of the Saltspring Zen Circle. We feel so blessed to be held by all of you and to call this community home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation in John’s name to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.

Online condolences can be made at:
www.haywardsfuneral.com