June 5, 1922 – August 17, 2014

It is with great sorrow that the family of June Allison Beaddie (formerly June Matthews/nee Heather) announce her passing at the age of 92 in the Lady Minto Hospital.

June was born in Vancouver to the late Margaret and Guy Heather. During her twenties June worked with her father in the family fur business, G.G. Heather Furs on Granville Street. She was active in Soroptimist International and the United Church. June married Robert John Matthews, a British petroleum engineer, in 1951 and they had one daughter, Maggie Elaine.  

June and Bob lived in Calgary until Bob’s death in 1962, whereupon June returned to university (U.B.C.) at the age of 40 and qualified as an elementary school teacher. She then taught school for 10 years with both the Burnaby and Vancouver School Boards.  

In 1968 June married Arthur Beaddie, and the two retired to Salt Spring in 1975, where they spent many happy years embracing the Salt Spring Island lifestyle. Together, they were active in the Anglican Church community, kept bees, grew vegetables and apple trees, hiked, and most importantly, enjoyed many wonderful friendships.  Following Arthur’s death in 1999, June continued to live in her beloved Vesuvius area home, and kept busy with church activities, growing prize winning dahlias, bridge and the rug hooking club.

June was predeceased by four siblings, George, Jessie, Mary and Robin. Her loss is mourned by her sister Emily (Comox, B.C.), daughter Maggie Elaine Corns, five grandchildren (Dan, Ben, Megan, Jon and Alison), three great-granddaughters (Giselle, Marissa and Sherise) and numerous nieces and nephews, and her many dear friends.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the medical and nursing staff of the Lady Minto Hospital for their dedicated and caring support during this last difficult week. Special thanks to Dr. Magda Leon and nurse Danielle.

A Service of Thanksgiving for June’s life will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, Ganges, on Monday, August 25th, 2014 at 1 pm.  In lieu of flowers please send a donation to either the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, or to Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls.

Philip John Tamboline

FEB. 10, 1938 – AUG. 17, 2014

IN LOVING MEMORY – It is with our deepest sadness that our husband, father and grandpa, Philip John Tamboline passed away at Nanaimo Hospital Sunday, August 17th after a long and courageous battle with several health complications.

Phil leaves behind his loving wife Marilyn, sons – Trevor (Katrina), Grant (Tina), Todd (Dawn), grandchildren – Sam, Alli, Jessi, Mikayla, Abi, Nicholas, Jacob and many relatives and friends.

Phil was a Commercial Salmon Fisherman for 25 years and worked for BC Ferries for 23 years. He was a gentle soul and loved by all.

The family is so very grateful for all those that helped take care of Phil and called with their love and concern. A special thank you to Dr. Robert Crichton, Maureen Gix and the rest of the team at Home Nursing Support, and the Canadian Red Cross. Phil requested a service not be held. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the Canadian Red Cross.

Ruth Harriet Kreissl

August 20, 1917- August, 15, 2014.

Born to first generation immigrants from Norway in a sod hut on the family homestead near Plentywood, Montana, Ruth enjoyed an exciting life rich in history, adventure, family, humor, and mostly love.

At nearly 97, after receiving last rites with her children around her, she passed away quietly at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island, BC after a quick but sharp downturn in health. Yes, she was predeceased by her parents, Ole and Ida, and two much older brothers, Overla and Boyd. After all, if they were alive, we would all be reading about what great medical miracles they are somewhere on an internet site instead of reading this obituary. Ruth is also predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Leonard John Kreissl, MD, who passed away in 1984, after 38 years of marriage. Mom leaves behind four much loved children: Mary Ellen (Ken) Warner of West Vancouver, BC; Leonard John “Jay” (Maureen) Kreissl of Seattle, WA; Laura Jean, Kreissl of Salt Spring Island, BC; and Teresa Alice “Terry” (Warren) Herzog of Broomfield, CO; and two grandchildren: Rachel Kearney Kreissl (Derek Tran) of Washington, DC and Lima, Peru; and Peter Kreissl of Seattle, WA.

Ruth spent her childhood years mostly in Montana, Chicago, and in the Minneapolis-St. Paul areas of the United States. Her parents struggled hard throughout the great depression to not only keep the family housed and fed but also to insure that their children benefited from a higher education as they had done. Ruth graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1939. She trained as an X-ray and medical technician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and then worked throughout the 1940s in Grand Forks, ND, on US Army bases in Skagway and Fairbanks, AK during WWII, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, WI, and at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, TX before devoting many years of her life to raising their children in Dallas, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and eventually in Santa Rosa, CA with many summers, starting in 1962, on Salt Spring Island. She and Dad permanently immigrated to Canada and particularly to Salt Spring in 1971.

While raising the children, Ruth was an active member and often an officer of the Hospital Auxiliary, Blood Bank, Red Cross, Mothers’ Club at the grammar schools, PTA, Catholic Women’s group, helper at camp fire girls and boy scouts. Considering that most of the neighborhood children seemed to congregate at the Kreissl home and Mom still managed to keep the house and yard tidy, her patience and endurance became legendary.

On Salt Spring, Mom was active as a volunteer with many organizations including the Red Cross, SS Library, Lady Minto Thrift Shop, Golden Hands, SPCA, Legion, Catholic Women’s League, and as a teaching (reading) assistant at the grammar schools.

Throughout the years, Ruth and her family had a succession of pets. Mom endured some of the animals but was fond of or loved many others. In the last few decades Ruth could often be found walking one or two of her dogs at Mouat Park or on quieter roads around the island. She liked to remind her children at times that the pets were sometimes her “preferred” children as they hadn’t been nearly as expensive or time-consuming to educate, always knew where their coats were, didn’t squabble as much as youngsters, and were always happy when she called them.

Mom was blessed with good health throughout most of her life. It was only in the last few years that failing hearing, eyesight, and dementia seemed to rob her of some of the quality of her life. However, none of those could reduce her feistiness, or love of family and friends. We are so happy that Mom is in a better place but she will always be missed. Lawrence Welk has lost another fan.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 135 Drake Road, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC with Father Ian Stuart officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Burial will be at Central Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the BC SPCA, SSI branch or the charity of your choice.

Francis David Adair

July 3rd, 1927 – Aug. 10, 2014

Francis David Adair (alias “g-string Jack”, “the SSI chick magnet” or just plain “Jack”) 87, of Salt Spring Island, B.C. passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 10th at Victoria General Hospital.

Jack is survived by and will be deeply and fondly remembered by his son Carman and his 3 grandchildren (Kristin, Braden and Gordon), his loving niece Nancy Whitford (husband Jeff), all of White Rock, B.C., and by a number of other family members. He will also be dearly remembered by many, many friends on Salt Spring Island where he resided for the past 30 years.

Jack’s wife Connie preceded him in death as well as his sister Bev and brother Ray.

The family both recognizes and appreciates the warm and attentive care provided both at Lady Minto and Victoria General Hospital and we salute all the special people on Salt Spring Island that are like family to Jack.

There will be a Celebration-of-Life service held at the SSI Legion to honour Jack at a date to be announced. 

Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

A life well lived; the words seem like a cliché. But in the case of Jim Ballantyne they are dead on. If the measure of a man is the number of friends that he accumulates during a lifetime, then Jim had the full measure. He touched everyone he met with a gap-toothed grin, a hearty hello, and a funny joke (you would even laugh at the ones you’d heard before).

He was a local character on an island full of characters and was featured numerous times on the front page of the Driftwood chasing sheep in his kilt or reciting poetry about Haggis – all part of the fun of the Saltspring Pipes and Drums’ annual Robbie Burns Night.

He was born in Windsor, Ontario – a surprise to many who thought he was a true, blue Scot. His mother got homesick and dragged the family across the pond in the ‘30s and he grew up in Paisley, Scotland during the war developing a life-long habit of eating oatmeal with salt instead of then-scarce sugar. He never forgot his heritage and was happy to don his kilt and played in pipe bands across the country from Brantford to Brandon and Whitehorse to Salt Spring. But he was Canadian through and through, returning to Brantford in 1947 to work as a draughtsman- as soon after the war as he could.

Upon learning his mother was to follow him back to Canada, he promptly joined the RCMP and shipped out for training in Regina. His 25-year career with the Mounties defined him. But general duty in a comfortable detachment was not for him. He spent 10 years in the Northwest Territories of the 1950’s – living in remote settlements like Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and his favourite, Fort Reliance – mushing dogs to patrol the tundra barren lands and the still nomadic Dene hunting communities. It was the frontier life of Sgt. Preston, lived large with big adventures and the unique inhabitants of the north.

After meeting his love, Caroline (known as Sandi to almost everyone except her family), in Yellowknife, they settled to the relative metropolis of Fort Providence on the McKenzie River and life on the frontier with miners, trappers and the local Dene. Then as the Mounties like to do, Jim and Sandi were transferred – this time to more southerly postings in Ottawa where he was trained in Ident – today’s crime scene investigation (and where Richard was born) – then on to Edmonton (Stuart showed up here), Whitehorse, Brandon and finally Burnaby in 1967.

The west coast particularly appealed to both Jim and Sandi. They joined the Jib Set, learned to sail, and bought a small sailboat. From that Jim started on a love of the ocean that lasted the rest of his life. From small boats to large, racing and cruising with characters such as Geoff Coleman, Jim Rhodes, Doug Barnett, Jim Heaney and many others; he was well known inside yachting circles as a great person to have on board. He served as the Commodore of the Burnaby Power Squadron, Gulf Yacht Club and Salt Spring Island Sailing Club and worked as a yacht broker for C&C yachts after his retirement from the Mounties in 1974.

In 1981 he found his new calling – managing a marina on Salt Spring Island for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club – and Jim and Sandi adapted quickly to island life. On Salt Spring, he became a fixture, well known in the community from serving on the Park and Rec Commission, having fun with the Shriners and local Lodge, and involvement with the local Legion branch – being elected several terms as Treasurer. He was easily persuaded to get involved with the high-jinks of friends like Phil Hume, Art Hopping, John Woodward, John Williamson and their ilk. He made friends easily and had a steady source of stories and jokes for the people at Thrifty’s and everyone around town. When he moved to Maple Ridge in 2011 for health reasons, his absence was felt immediately on the island.

He was bombastic, he was opinionated, he was politically incorrect and he did not suffer fools. But above else, he was friendly and very funny. And that is how he would want to be remembered.

He loved his family – Sandi, Stuart and Richard – and welcomed the addition of daughters-in-law Terry and Kim. He became close to grand-daughters Kate and Maddy and enjoyed life as the Grumps – so named after an unfortunate diaper incident. They will all miss Grumps and the joy he brought to their lives.

No flowers and he preferred giving his time and energy, rather than money, to charitable organizations (if you feel you must, the Saltspring Pipers and Drummers Association or the Salt Spring Farmers’ Institute are always happy for support). But please gather your best friends, have a glass of Glenmorangie single malt in his memory, and share a good joke. A wake will take place in September.

Dan King

May 1920 to August 2014  

RCAF, DFC, DFM

Once the oldest man on Roland Road.  Survived by war bride Jean, and sons Martin and Bill.

With many thanks to the staff of Lady Minto Hospital for their great care and compassion for Dan.

Tony Luton

It was with great sadness, on July 21st 2014, at the passing of our beloved Tony. She had an amazing life of 94 healthy years. With her vibrant and loving personality she was a joy to all who knew her. She is remembered with love by all her family. In Canada, her son Kevin, Prince Rupert BC, her daughter and son-in-law Delia and Ernie von Schilling, Courtenay BC, three grandchildren, Colin Wilson (Teresa), Annalusie Shields (John) & Laura (Sky) Hellyer (Jason) and her amazing eight great grand children, plus family in England, nieces, nephews and their spouses and many great nieces, nephews and their children.

A great traveller, Mum started as a girl with trips to Europe. During WW II she served as a driver for the British Army Medical Core where she met then married her beloved husband Kenneth. Together they came to Canada to start a new life, living first near White Rock BC and then on Salt Spring Island for all of 45 years.

After the passing of Kenneth at age 55, Mum found healing in friendships formed with her bridge playing and travelling. She enjoyed visits to China, Australia, a biblical journey to Israel, Ireland and many trips back to England to see her family. 

Once again, this June found Tony having a grand time on a three week visit with her family in England. Her favourite pastimes were yoga, walking, and hiking, playing bridge, reading and volunteering.  Many organizations benefitted from the giving of her time and energies and on Salt Spring the following clubs she enjoyed were, Garden, Historical, Hiking, Weavers Guild, the Legion, and Bessie Dane Hospice.

She left Salt Spring to be close to her family in Courtenay. Tony volunteered at the Sid Williams Theatre and Evergreens Seniors Centre. Her biggest love was for her family, which she spent much time with both here and in England. Mum will be missed.

A Celebration of Her Life was held at Piercy’s-Mt.Washington Funeral Home in Courtenay, Wednesday July 30th. A donation to the Bessie Dane Hospice Society in her name was her wish.

Ruth Caroline Clarkson

Feb. 19, 1932 – July 20, 2014

On Sunday July 20, 2014 mom was released from her struggles with Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Flowing Well, Saskatchewan to George and Elizabeth Rempel, mom was the oldest of 4 children and is survived by siblings; John (Vernelle) Rempel, Ed (Sue) Rempel, Marie (Mike) Gibbons.

Married in 1950 to Peter Hamm she is survived by their 3 children Doug (Sandra) Hamm, Gloria Dale and Sandra (Robert) Dyck.

In 1963 Ruth married Don Clarkson. In 1972 they moved from Abbotsford to Salt Spring Island. These were some of mom’s happiest years. After 45 years of marriage Don went to be with the Lord in October 2008. Ruth is survived by Don’s daughter, Shelley Clarkson but predeceased by Don’s son,? Peter Clarkson in 2006.

Shortly after Don’s passing, Ruth returned to Abbotsford. Mom always kept her faith in God, in good times and bad. She will be missed by her family including 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, July 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC. Viewing 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. July 30.

God came, took her by the hand

and took her home!

Herbert Leslie “Bert” Timbers

May 11, 1920 – July 13, 2014

Bert Timbers was born in Winnipeg in the spring of 1920 as the ice was breaking up on the Red River. As a handsome young man he won the heart of a beautiful girl, Ellen Butler. They married and had their first daughter Bonnie.

Bert signed up for the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, and he served in the position of wireless air gunner. He came back to his family in broken health, but with a characteristic determination that he would rebuild. He bought the Esso gas station on Princess Avenue at Pacific, and built the thriving Bert Timbers Service Station Ltd. Three more children followed, Gail, Bob, and Glen, and the family has wonderful memories of the cabin at Lac Lu, waterskiing behind the Lady of the Lake, back yard skating rinks, marching bands, and cross country road trips. Bert would often laugh as he would look at pictures of the young family, “We thought we had it just about perfect!”

In 1964 Bert and Ellen begin a new phase of their lives and moved to Salt Spring Island, BC. They bought an old farmhouse on 23 acres on the shores of Booth Canal and ran cows, pigs, sheep, guinea fowl and horses. He became a realtor on the island and continued his long commitment to community. Bert was a member of the Freemasons, Shrine, Rotary and Lions Club. He drove the “Cancer Van” transporting people needing cancer treatment well into his seventies.

Square dancing and being silver smiths were joyful occupations for both Bert and Ellen. In the last years of his life he missed Ellen sorely but received compassionate and kind care from the staff at Nanaimo Senior Village. Bert was predeceased by Ellen and his second daughter Gail, but is lovingly remembered by his surviving children Bonnie, Bob and Glen and their families.

Family brought great joy to Bert all his days and he is held dear in the hearts of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Condolences may be offered at telfordn@shaw.ca