Eric Charles Wiklund

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eric at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on December 16, 2016. Devoted and loving husband for 51 years and best friend of Judy (nee Cannell). Judy and Eric originally met as members of the UBC Varsity Outdoors Club in the fall of 1964, and they continued to share a life-long passion for hiking and camping. Eric was a wonderful father to Kristina, Johan, Karl, Katherine and Brendan, and proud grandpa to Chloé, Gwendalyn and Evelyn. 

Graduating from UBC in Electrical Engineering (MSc Eng,1965), Eric went on to work for Atomic Energy of Canada in 1965 and Ontario Hydro in 1970 retiring as Supervising Design Engineer at Ontario Hydro after 24 years.

Eric was a longtime resident of Bronte.  He touched the lives of many within the community through his involvement in the Bruce Trail Association, the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club and his devotion to Scouts Canada. Eric worked enthusiastically as the Rear Commodore of Training for the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club for many years and as a Scoutmaster for several decades. His work with these groups gave him purpose, meaning, and great joy. 

Friends and family were received at Oakview Funeral Home, 56 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, Ontario, Monday, December 19 from 5-8 pm with a Funeral Service on Tuesday, December 20 at 11 am, in the Oakview Chapel. As expressions of sympathy, donations to OTHH, Bruce Trail Conservancy or Scouts Canada, would be appreciated by the family.

Michael Arthur LeBreton Larmour

April 3, 1937 – Dec. 11, 2016

Michael passed away in the extended care unit at the age of 79. Michael lived on Salt Spring Island since 1947 and worked with the North Salt Spring Waterworks for 33 years, 10 of them as a manager.

Michael is survived by his wife Kacey Chee (156 Bradbury Rd, SSI, BC, V8K 1L8), his children Skye (Tomos) and David (Kim).

A funeral service mass was held at Our Lady of Grace Church on Dec. 17, 2016 at 1:00pm.

Very special thanks to Dr. David Beaver, Dr. David Butcher and their staff. With great gratitude and many thanks to Catherine Green (head nurse), Jen Ritson, all the nurses, all the care workers, housekeeping staff and the kitchen staff. You were my family who helped take care of Michael.

Book of Memories can be found at:

www.haywardsfuneral.com.

In memory of Michael, please make a donation to SSI Water Preservation Society, Ganges PO Box 555, SSI, BC V8K 2W3.

Patricia Anne Taylor

May 20, 1923 – Dec. 9, 2016

Pat passed away at the age of 93 in the Lady Minto Hospital. Pat was a long time resident of Salt Spring since 1946 and was predeceased by her husband Jack Wellington Taylor and her daughter, Margaret Sheila (Peggy).

She is survived by her brother Jack Milner (Lucille) and sister Sheila (Tom) McIntyre and by her immediate family including Wayne Albert (Mei-Ling) (Wei-Ling), Daniel Edmond, Patrick James (Suzette) (Russell and Chelsea), James Wellington (Keiko) (Caitlin and Jim), Kathleen Anne Taylor-Kok (Peter) (Christopher and Jessica, Jennifer Mary Taylor-Gromme (Kayla and Dylan) and many grandchildren, cousins, nephew and nieces, relatives and numerous friends.

The Funeral Service Mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church on 135 Drake Road, Salt Spring Island at 1:00pm on December 28th, with Father Scott conducting the Services. A Celebration of Life will be held in the church hall afterwards.

Special Thanks to Dr. Ron Reznick and his staff, the staff and volunteers of Greenwoods and Lady Minto Hospital, and to the Care Workers of Beacon, to Father Scott and the many members of the CWL and the parish of Our Lady of Grace Church.

Further information can be found on haywardsfuneral.com

Pamela Monica Jackson

Dec 15, 1959 – Dec 4, 2016

Mother – Daughter – Friend

Pam passed away Dec 4th after living with the cancer leukemia for more than a year. She was at home with friends at her side as she’d wished. Although there is much sadness in her passing, this comes after what Pam felt was one of the best and most appreciated years of her life and that we should all take solace from that.

Pam is survived by her husband Ken, mother Gisela, aunt Ingrid, cousin Christopher, Ken’s father Ken and stepmother Lenore, brothers-in-law Michael and Patrick and their families, predeceased by her daughter Kimberley, father Wolfgang, uncle Heinz and cousin Roy.

Pam was born to German immigrants Wolfgang and Gisela Tandecki, growing up living in Vancouver. It wasn’t until her marriage to Ken that Pam became a true global traveler, starting with moves around Alberta before moving with Ken and Kimberley to the USA, China, England, Egypt and Russia, then eventually visiting all seven continents, including Antarctica. Those experiences shaped her views on the realities of our world and helped make her more truly appreciative of being able to settle and build a wonderful life here on Salt Spring Island.

Those global experiences also made her feel incredibly lucky this past year, even on the darkest and toughest days. Pam felt she was afforded some of the finest and most compassionate medical care that could be offered, from the BC cancer clinic to the Lady Minto Hospital and the extended support network beyond that. The family feels indebted on a very personal level for all those who helped support and care for Pam.

In her memory, Pam asked that you help the Salt Spring Library or your local library by making a donation of any kind. A celebration of Pam’s life is being planned for early in the New Year. Details of that gathering will be announced at a later time.

Andrea Kathryn Sawyer Hooge

March 27, 1973 – Dec. 4, 2016

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin and friend. Andrea was born in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Seattle, Washington, her home for the past 9 years. When she was two she moved back to Canada with her parents and grew up in Vancouver, BC.

Andrea is survived by her parents, Brenda (Conrad) and John (Cathy), her brother Sam (Christine), nieces Lola and Farrah, aunt (Sidney) and uncle (Syd), and cousins Josh (Brigid and their daughter Maeve) and Max.

Andrea attended high school at York House School, received her BA from the University of Western Ontario, and completed her MBA at Royal Roads University. Her career took her to work in Calgary, Edmonton, New York City and Seattle. Andrea was extremely personable and made good friends wherever she went. She loved to travel and explored the world whenever she could enjoying art museums, theatre, different cultures and experiences. Since she was a child Andrea loved vacationing on Salt Spring Island with her family and in Kelowna at her paternal grandparents’ lakeshore home. Both were always very special places for her.

Andrea was compassionate, loving, sensitive, insightful and kind to others. People were drawn to her love of life, her enthusiasm, her wonderful sense of humour and her delightful laugh. Andrea was very intelligent and curious about people and places. That was so apparent in all she accomplished in her short life, and the diverse people she connected with everywhere. She loved her family and friends and they in turn loved her. She touched people’s lives in very important ways.

Andrea was particularly passionate about art and explored many creative pursuits. She was an artist in so many ways – in her paintings, her love of colour, her appreciation of beauty, her love of flowers, her writing and her vibrancy. She entertained with flair and delight, loving good food and bringing people together. Andrea was a voracious reader and always found great comfort in books and the escape and wider experiences they offered.

As we grieve her loss we are holding her spirit in our hearts. That spirit will live on forever. She will be missed so much. Andrea died prematurely from complications due to cirrhosis. In lieu of flowers donations may be made, if you choose, in Andrea’s name to any organization working with addictions and mental health issues.

A Celebration of Andrea’s life will be held in Vancouver at a later date.

Roy William Kaighin

Roy died December 2nd, 2016 after suffering at length with Parkinson’s Disease.

He leaves behind his wife of 26 years Diane, and a daughter Sharron Welsh (Graham) from Scotland and two grandsons Joshua & Sean.

Roy was born in England July 15, 1951 and raised by Annie and William Kaighin of the IOM. By the age of 5 he played the piano and violin, by 9 he was playing the trombone and trumpet and at the age of 16 he became a professional musician when he joined the Royal Marines Band as a flute/piccolo and piano player. Roy was a gifted musician, composer and musical arranger. He had a full career with the marines playing in various bands as a principle flute player and was an instructor at the military School of music in Deal. Roy retired in 1994 and moved with his wife, Diane, to North Vancouver.

He conducted the 15th Field Regiment Band in New Westminster before accepting a position with the Naden Band in Victoria 1997-2012. During this time, Roy composed and arranged hundreds of pieces of music, and was the only musician in Canadian Military History to be awarded the esteemed Navy Bravo Zulu award for his legacy of music. The Kaighins moved to Salt Spring Island in 2008 with retirement in mind. In 2012 Roy was personally selected by the Honorable Steven L. Point Lieutenant Governor of BC to receive the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal.

Roy composed his own songs and arranged songs outside of the military for The Canadian Tenors, The Tenors, Ken Lavigne, Destino, & Tenore [et.al]. Last November Tenore did a tribute to Roy at Art spring and the Naden Band did a touching tribute to Roy at their Christmas concerts at the Royal Theatre in Victoria Dec 5-7 that including his arrangement of Leonard Cohen ‘s Hallelujah. The Victoria Symphony Orchestra will be playing Roy’s composition “Santa’s Journey” during their 2016 Christmas Concert.

When not playing, or writing music Roy was an avid sailor, hiker and astronomer. He loved spending time with his family and beloved dogs. Roy was a true gentleman, who touched the hearts of many and will be sadly missed by people from all around the world.

With great gratitude to Dr. James White for his compassion care and respect for Roy.

If I could leave you with any thoughts let it be this. Canadians need to change their mindset about assisted death. It is not killing someone it is relieving their suffering. Please support Dying with Dignity Canada. It is inhumane for the unnecessary suffering of the person who is ill and their families who have to watch. Thank-you.

BENGE, Joe

1931-2016

Joe Benge, whose full and

varied life journey began in a

Chicago suburb and led to the

Canadian wilderness, died No-

vember 16, 2016, at age 85 in

his home on Salt Spring Island.

Joe’s life was filled with many

chapters, each prefaced by what

he referred to as his “epipha-

nies.” There were remarkable

people who shared this time with

him and all can attest to his

many talents as musician, orni-

thologist, photographer, teacher,

raconteur, artful linguist, endless

reader and thoughtful gift-giver.

Joe’s life force and curiosity were boundless. One of his photo-

graphs recently won the jury prize at Artspring’s Surfacing

show. A lifelong passion for birds, photography, history, air-

planes, literature, wilderness and music brought a wide range

of good people into his life. COPD weakened his body, but his

brilliant mind, memory, curiosity and spark never faltered.

Joe was a graduate of Evanston High School. He studied Ger-

man at Amherst and was the drummer with the Delta Five jazz

band, which toured Europe.

Joe continued his education at Northwestern University, earn-

ing a Master’s Degree in German. After a year as Fulbright

scholar in Austria, he turned down a scholarship to Princeton to

take advertising positions in Chicago and Seattle. Meanwhile,

National Geographic sent him through the Louisiana swamps in

search of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, and Esquire published a

piece on WWll airplanes. Joe created the well-known lonely

Maytag repairman ad campaign which pictured an idle washing

machine repairman waiting for repair calls that never came.

Joe changed direction in 1972 when he traveled north to a park

in Ontario. There, he managed The Voyageur Wilderness Pro-

gram. In talks and slide shows in Canada and the USA, he

asked listeners: write authorities to ban logging and motor vehi-

cles there. The mass of letters helped lead to the creation of

Quetico, a wilderness-class park.

Joe then spent several years teaching in northern Manitoba, in

communities reached by dog sled, skidoo or bush plane. Final-

ly, Joe worked for Parks Canada as a naturalist in the mountain

parks. He retired in 1991, traveled for several years while

watching birds, then finally parked himself on Salt Spring Is-

land.

At the last, Joe was bedeviled by increasingly serious COPD

that literally took his breath away. He used the new Canadian

law permitting physician-assisted death as the best ending.

Joe’s last days before his “Fly Away” were spent with

life-long friends, lively conversation, laughter and good

music…. pretty much how things often were at Benge’s.

Robert Douglas Mandam

Mar. 23rd, 1948 – Nov. 4th, 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of Bob ‘The Coach’ Mandam on his Beloved Salt Spring Island in his 68th year. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Hilda Mandam, and sister Nancy Mandam. Bob leaves behind in Fiji, his brother, Terry (Rokani ) and nephew, Dean Charles.

Robert grew up in Peterborough, Ontario, and traveled west to live with his Uncle Ray and Aunt Blanche in Victoria, BC in 1964. He settled into a life on the west coast discovering the world of art, where he attended many an auction to acquire and share his discoveries with fellow art admires. When he was younger he did leatherwork, tree thinning, and estimating chain link fencing projects.

He lived the past two decades mainly on Salt Spring Island. For over ten years he managed a beautiful waterfront B&B at Southey Point and pursued his art collection hobby. He volunteered at the Royal Canadian Legion and helped to upgrade their pool table greatly enhancing the game for many pool experts on the island. He also volunteered for the local Salmon Enhancement program. Even though in recent times he often lived like a hermit, he was the best friend to all in good times and bad.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of Bob’s life will be held at ‘The Legion’ Branch 92, 120 Blain Rd, Salt Spring Island, BC at 12:00 p.m. on February 26, 2017.

“Dee Dee” (Dorothy) Roberts

July 15, 1927 – Nov. 7, 2016

Dee Dee was born in Evenwood, County Durham, England and passed away peacefully (at the age of 89) in Kaslo, BC, surrounded by love, with her son and her daughter at her side.

Dee Dee is predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Doug Roberts Sr.

She leaves behind: Son, Douglas Roberts of Kaslo, and daughter, Dorothy Price of SSI; Her beloved grandchildren, Genevieve, Heidi and Rebecca Price of SSI, and Rylan Mattas of Nelson, BC; Four great-grandchildren, Easton and Charli Dee McDougall of SSI, Grace and Cole Mattas of Nelson… and one ‘on the way’ (Heidi).

Dee and Doug moved to Canada in 1957 with their young children, Douglas and Dorothy. For much of her life, Dee Dee was a grade 1 & 2 school teacher who was honoured on numerous occasions for her creativity and devotion. She loved children and children loved her.

She and Doug moved to SSI in 1987 and Dee Dee lived here until 2011; then moving to Kaslo for her final years. Dee was a people lover. She had many loving friends of all ages on Salt Spring Island and in Kaslo. She will be remembered for her optimism, her hugs and her smile. “Be happy” as Dee Dee would say. She will be missed dearly by all.

*A celebration of her life will be held in the spring.

Bianca Barnes

July 28, 1925 – November 2, 2016

Bianca was ready, willing and waiting…to be reunited with her beloved husband, Gordon Barnes, who predeceased her on October 20th, 2013.

Bianca was born in Montreal on July 28, 1925, the daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Kempton. She is survived by her brother Richard Kempton of Los Angeles, nephews Alexander Kempton of Los Angeles and Jeffrey Kempton of Green Bay, Wisconsin and nieces Madeleine Carlson of Seattle and Candace Stevenson of San Francisco.

When Bianca was very young her parents moved to New York City, then to Los Angeles, where she attended public schools.  Bianca worked as a chauffeur for the United States Army in Santa Barbara during World War II. After the war she was a free-lance artist in San Francisco. Bianca was a passionate, empathetic and feisty woman who cared greatly about social justice. Her political activities contributed to her eventual return to Canada after marrying Gordon Barnes in 1949.  Bianca and Gordon moved to Vancouver in 1954, where her husband enrolled in the School of Engineering at the University of British Columbia, where she began her career as a graphic artist, initially in the UBC Extension Department. Bianca and her husband moved to England in 1959 with the intention of exploring the waters there, for the next five years, initially in London, then in Leicester, where she worked as a commercial artist. They had a vision of building a boat and sailing across the Pacific, returning to Vancouver with that purpose in mind, in 1963. Bianca studied at the Vancouver School of Art while working at the Province on their Spotlight Magazine for which she designed the cover pages. In 1969 Bianca began her long career as the graphic designer of the University Library at UBC. She designed the publications, exhibits and signage of the library. She made a number of short documentary films on subjects such as the Anthropology Museum and the Asian Studies building at UBC, and a film on clear-cut logging in British Columbia. Bianca was a lover of nature; she enjoyed hiking, camping and sailing alongside Gordon. She adored animals and birds and had an acute appreciative and celebratory eye for beauty in unusual things and places.

Upon their retirement in 1989 Gordon and Bianca moved to Salt Spring Island, living in their beautiful home on Fulford-Ganges Road, where they continued to work on their boat, the “Adriana”, that they had been building since 1969.  The odyssey of their labour was celebrated by the publication of their book, “Real-Time Boatbuilding”, that came out in 2009. In 2011 they chose Meadowbrook Seniors Residence as their new home.

Bianca will be greatly remembered and missed by the many people who knew and cherished her friendship and her unique take on a life that she generously shared with others.

The family wishes to give a heartfelt thank you to Director Maureen O’Brien, the staff and her many friends at Meadowbrook, Dr. Ronald Reznick and his staff, the nurses and staff at Lady Minto Hospital, and to the many dear friends and caregivers who so lovingly and joyfully supported and cared for Bianca.

In respect of Bianca’s wishes no service will be held. You may enjoy a comforting visit to the Salt Spring Island Public Library; to sit upon the memorial bench that Bianca had lovingly bequeathed with an inscription in memory of Gordon.