Robert A.Wood

Feb. 3, 1926 – Aug. 27, 2015

Wood, Robert Arthur Oliver passed away peacefully on August 27, 2015 on Salt Spring Island.

Bob was survived by his children Robert (Eileen), Victoria (Dale), Debra, Lori (William); 11 grandchildren, Jillian, Laura (Chris), Nicola, Michael, David, Erica, Carmen, Emily, Rebecca (Ek), Stephanie, Joseph; 6 great grand children, Maddison, Emily, Moses, Maisie, Charlotte, Kingston.

Bob was a kind and generous and thoughtful man who loved and respected family and friends.

Born and raised on Salt Spring Island. Bob will forever be remembered as an incredible father and grandfather who loved nothing more than cracking jokes with his family and playing with his great grandchildren.

A family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Community Gospel Church on Bob’s behalf.  

Meriel Pamela Lee

August 26, 2015

Meriel passed away peacefully after a very short illness at Lady Minto Hospital on August 26, 2015.

Beloved second child of the late Reginald and Doris Lee of England.  Much loved sister to Peter, Rosemary, Robin and John and Aunt, Great Aunt and Friend.  Adopted citizen of Canada and joyous resident of Saltspring Island. 

“May your soul fly free for ever now”. 

– The Lee and Jackson Families. 

Donations can be made to the Salvation Army in memory of Meriel. 

Deirdre Hellicar

June 10, 1932 – August 12, 2015

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mother, Deirdre Hellicar on August 12, 2015. “Dee” as everyone called her, wishes you to know her work is done here and she is now finally at rest, she has joined her beloved husband and our father, Barry John Hellicar, who preceded her death July 2nd, 1993.

Dee was born in Piddinghoe, West Sussex England to Albert Edwin and Louisa Luke, on June 10th, 1935. Dee attended the High School for Girls in Worthing and then went on to work as a secretary for Roberts and Son, the Worthing Wine Merchants, and then as a legal secretary for the R.W.H. Green Sons solicitor firm in London, England before she moved to Edmonton in 1958. Dee then moved to Yellowknife in 1960 and worked as a secretary at the Giant Yellowknife Gold Mines where she met and “wrangled a proposal” (in her words) from our Dad, Barry John Hellicar, who was a geologist-surveyor for the same mine. After they married in September 1960, Dee and Barry moved to Comox, BC where they raised a family. Dee was also preceded in death by her sister and long-time companion Jean Louise Brown, who ran the Wysteria Guest House Bed & Breakfast with, for over 20 years. Dee & Jean, the two “Wysteria Sisters” were joined at the hip for many years traveling and enjoying life together. Jean sadly passed away in December 2012 after returning to England in 2010 to be with her family there. Dee worked hard all her life and was an amazing mother, friend and nana. She loved to sew, garden renovate houses with her husband, meet new people & travel. Dee loved to tell stories of her life with Barry and her children and had a great sense of humour and memory for detail. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty, was amazingly smart and talented in so many things, she was an extremely hard worker and had a fierce passion and love of life. Dee died peacefully in her sleep at Lady Minto Extended Care where she lived for the past several years. Dee’s children wish to thank all the staff at Lady Minto ECU for the passion they showed when taking care of their mother, we will forever be grateful for your compassion and kindness towards her in making sure she lived comfortably until her passing.

Dee is preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Louisa, her brothers George and Albert Luke, her sister Jean Louise Brown and her son-in-law Steven Leigh Stevenson. Dee is survived by her three children – Deborah Hellicar-Stevenson, Catherine Luedtke & Adam Hellicar and her grandson Luke Barry Hellicar-Stevenson, Her son Adam and his partner Paulina Astorquiza Ortiz, are going to give Dee a granddaughter this October, Dee sadly will never meet her. As they say God Giveth and God Taketh, a new precious life replacing the lost one. Dee will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions may be made to The Lady Minto Extended Care Foundation – http://ladymintofoundation.com/how-you-can-help/make-a-donation/

Laurie Martin-Poulsen

Passed away peacefully on August 10, 2015 in the Palliative Care Unit at Lady Minto Hospital.

Laurie, originally from Ontario, came to live on Salt Spring Island in 2003. A friend of Laurie’s recently wrote to her: “Your unselfishness, compassion and willingness to serve others are some of the qualities that make you shine so brightly.” Laurie will be sorely missed by all of her friends. On the day before her passing, Laurie wrote these words: “My very best and heartfelt wishes to everyone who has passed my way and continue to do so.  You’ve offered me as much as any life could have received and more. Thank you.”

Rest in peace, dear sweet Laurie.

Ross McIlvenna

August 9, 2015

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, friend,  Ross McIlvenna.  Ross passed away peacefully on August 9 at age 77.  Better known as “Ross the Boss”.  Born in North Bay, lived on Salt Spring Island for 37 years and in Sidney this past year.

Always youthful, excited for a new day and ready for a new adventure,  Ross is remembered for his enterprising spirit.

 He was a commercial diver, offshore sailor, former owner of Ross & Ganges Marine & Equip, Harbours End Marine & Equipment, Salt Spring Marina & Ross the Boss Marine & Equipment.  A self made man with many very accomplished skills.  Whether tackling a tricky engine, carving a totem pole or pirate or painting a lighthouse, he was never restricted by the impossibility of anything.  In Ross’ world, everything was possible!  He always gave it his best shot.  Knowing Ross was like having a ring side seat at a one man circus.

 Forever wheeling and dealing, dispensing advice “You know what you should do” always fixing  and helping people make things better.  Even set backs were greeted with only a momentary pause and then it would be “well, let’s try this” all with a trade-mark phrase “it’s a hell of a deal”.  At the end of the day, a drink of rye at the kitchen table with a good friend….it doesn’t get better than that. Ross will be remembered for his positive spirit, his zest for life and his sense of wonder.

Ross is survived by his children, Rhea (Oman), Kathy (Kingston), Teus (Coquitlam), Tabias (Langley), Alexandra (Vancouver) and his beloved wife, partner, soulmate of 27 years Jo.  Also survived by his brothers Jim & Robert.

Forever grateful to Dr David Woodley “the best doctor ever” for guiding us through this journey.  There will be no service.  Ross’s request “Raise a glass to me”.

Ronald S. Holcroft??

Nov. 15, 1916 – Aug. 4, 2015??

Salt Spring has lost one of its most distinguished gentlemen. Rarely would you see him without his tweed jacket, tie and flat cap, in summer substituted by a panama hat adorned with a hat band bearing the colours of his old boarding school, St. Edward’s (Oxford). ??

Ron passed away peacefully at Lady Minto Hospital after suffering heart complications and finally a stroke. He will be missed by his loving and attentive wife, Nancy (married 59 years), his son Tom (Charlotte) of Victoria, daughter Anne (Bryne Weerstra) of Cochrane, Alberta, and sister Janet Mill of Shiptonthorpe, Yorkshire, England, as well as several nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, and sister Margaret Magnus.??

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Ron’s plans of becoming a solicitor were abandoned when he joined the Territorial Army and entered the Second World War as a military policeman in 1939, followed by 5 years in POW camps. After the war, Ron studied agriculture and operated a market garden. He emigrated to Canada in 1952, settling in Brampton, Ontario. There he met Nancy, who had emigrated from England in 1954, when they were both acting in an amateur theatre production. His first job was at a greenhouse, followed by a job at a reformatory where he eventually began teaching. That led to his career as a high school teacher of horticulture and environmental science. In addition to teaching, he joined the Lorne Scots militia in Brampton, kept himself busy on a hobby farm near Barrie, Ontario and became the lay preacher at Hawkestone Anglican Church for several years. He took up wood-carving and became well known for his walking sticks, even selling them for a time in Lake Louise.??

In 1986, Ron decided to make Salt Spring Island his home, thinking the climate might reduce allergy symptoms, and no doubt wanting to leave behind the shovelling of snow. He and Nancy immediately became involved in the community which continued until only 5 months ago. Activities started with Sea Capers, but soon included the Anglican Church, Masons, Shriners, Canadian Legion particularly on Remembrance Day, Trail and Nature Club, Scottish Country Dance Club, Boy Scouts, Seniors Services Society, Meals on Wheels, volunteering at Fernwood School, Salt Spring Literacy Society … the list goes on.??

The family wishes to thank the staff at Lady Minto Hospital for their tender care, along with his long-term doctor, Dr. David Woodley, and more recently Dr. Barcan and Dr. White.??

Funeral:  2:00 p.m. Eucharist Thursday, August 13th at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Salt Spring Island, followed by a reception at All Saints Anglican Church, Ganges.??

Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to The Cancer Car Charity by sending a cheque directed to the Cancer Car Charity, care of:

Admiral Masonic Lodge, 506 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C.  V8K 2P6 or may be made to any charity involved in environmental stewardship.

William Cecil Scott (Scotty) McNutt

May, 1927 – July 28, 2015

Born in Bassano, Alberta, May 7th, 1927. 

He leaves behind his daughter, Lyn Strand, and son, Gary McNutt (Andrea). 

Also grandchildren, Dale (Callie), Jason, Emma, Rex and Marly plus great grandchildren, Gavriel, Oisin, and Kessler.

Scotty was a Saltspring icon, he spent his final 25 years here, and touched many islanders in more ways than one. From the Saltspring Inn to Saltspring Folk Club he did whatever was needed. 

Born in Canada, the son of a preacher man, he returned to Northern Ireland while still a baby. He inherited the family farm and farmed it until the Troubles started, and the family moved to Glasgow, Scotland.

Ten years later he finally realized his dream of returning to Canada, where he traveled Alberta as a milk inspector.

He moved to Saltspring where he was able to be himself, in a place which reminded him of home.  After retiring from being an island jack of all trades at the age of 80, he travelled twice to South Africa and Lesotho where he discovered that “To walk a long way, you have to go slow.” 

In his last year he slowed down a great deal but continued to make us all laugh on a daily basis.

Many thanks to the staff and caregivers at Lady Minto for your exceptional care. 

If you look carefully, you can still see him sitting in the sun on the bench above Thrifty’s looking at all the ladies .

A celebration of his life is being planned by his family for later in the Fall.