John Louis Hayes

Jan. 15, 1914 – Aug. 17, 2013

John (Jack) passed away peacefully on August 17th at Lion’s Gate Palliative Unit in Vancouver with family at his side.  Born on January 15th, 1914 in Winnipeg, he was in his 100th year and celebrated every day despite declining health.  

Jack spent a lifetime working and travelling throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. During WWII he was an Officer overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Retired from several careers, including an executive portfolio with Shell Canada and a government relations directorship, he settled in Vancouver to be close to family. Never a man to be idle, he didn’t officially retire until age 80 and then took up the pen. He wrote two books, “Where Did You Come From?”, a tapestry of prairie life, and “Woman Achiever”, a novella set in WWII featuring a gutsy female pilot.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Frances (2001), he is survived by his daughters Maureen (Tom), Lynn, and Diana (Peter), as well as grandchildren Stephen, Alison and Jeffrey and great-grandchildren Hannah, Carly, Leah and Nathan.

Jack never lost his zest for life and when asked about his secret to longevity, his answer was “family, friends, helping others, keeping the mind busy”.  He was still reading the newspapers and keeping up with current affairs in his last weeks in hospital and never missed a beat.

Donations in memory of Jack can be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings”

Jill Marguerite Lyons (nee Cook)

January 19, 1968 – August 9, 2013

Don & Sheri Hickman sadly announce the sudden death of their daughter, Jill. Survived by two wonderful sons, Tanner and Christopher Holtby. Predeceased by nephew Aaron Cook. Survived by sisters Sheralin, Sonya, Meagan and brothers Ted and Chris. Also survived by father Edward Cook senior, grandfather Bob Hickman, many aunts,uncles and cousins. A family gathering in her honour was held on August 18th. She is missed by her family, many friends and birth mom Joanne.

Matt Harvey

1995-2013

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our precious child, Matthew Colston Harvey. Matt’s kind loving spirit, and his unique innocent view of the world will be missed by his; mother Leah, father Dan, foster dad Tyler, step dad Jim, brothers; Eric, Ryland, Colston and all family and friends who were blessed to know him. In loving memory there will be a celebration of Matt’s life on Friday August 9th at 2:00pm, held at McCall’s Funeral home, 1400 Vancouver Street, Victoria BC.  Flowers gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities. http://www.lionsbc.ca/

Jonah Thomas Fisher

FEB. 16, 1979 – JULY 23, 2013

Jonah Thomas Fisher died of natural causes in his home. Judo champion and scholar, loving and beloved, he was the son of Don Fisher and Melissa Grace Kodaly; brother to Mischa and Heather Fisher. He will be deeply missed by family, extended family and friends. Fly away free dearest Jonah. Rest in peace.

Richard Lee McColl

(May 22 1947 – July 22 2013)

After a lengthy illness Lee passed away at

home, surrounded by his loving family.  

Wife, Mary Ann, sons – David (Jen) and Stephen.  

He is finally at rest.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Salt Spring Island Seniors Services Society, is appreciated.

Arrangements by Hayward’s Funeral Service. (Haywardsfuneral.com)

Rest easy, my love, and run in fields of gold.

Christina Isabelle Richardson (D’Altroy)

April 18, 1924 – July 18, 2013

Christina Isabelle Richardson (D’Altroy) born April 18, 1924 in Port Alberni BC passed away on Salt Spring Island on July 18, 2013 with her beloved family by her side.

We are sad to announce the sudden passing of Isabelle Richardson (nee D’altroy): our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Isabelle was pre-deceased in 2012 by her husband of nearly 70 years, John. At 89 years old Mom was beginning to recover from that loss with the support and activity provided by her wonderful Island friends. Upon retirement and move from New Westminster she and John had been residents of the Island for almost thirty years, living in the home they built near Fernwood. They were more recently settled in their unit at Roscommon.

Isabelle is survived by her three children Greg (Betty Richardson), Val (Mike MacDonald) and Frank, her beloved grandchildren Sarah, Aimee, Hana, Oonagh (Richard Savdie), Ryan, Carly, and Brendan; her 18 month old great-granddaughter Louka Savdie; her niece Lynne (Mark Fraser) and numerous nieces and nephews of her extended family.

Over the years, Isabelle has been active in community life through volunteering and social activities; participating in the Meals on Wheels program, home support services, assisting at the Tourism Information Centre, and participating in the Gulf Islands Residents Association (which planned and built the Meadowbrook Facility). Mom sang with the Lost Chords and recently enjoyed the adventure of travelling to Kamloops with them for a choir event.

Mom’s life slowly changed in the mid 1990’s when she developed Macular Degeneration. She then became a volunteer peer supporter of the CNIB. With never a complaint she continued her activities.

Mom was a dear mother, Granny, Granty and Gramma, Great-Grandmother, Auntie and friend to all. She will be greatly missed.

The family extends a special thanks to the Lady Minto Hospital staff and especially those nurses who diligently ensured her comfort in the Palliative Care Unit where she passed on a beautiful sunny afternoon with doors open to that unmatched Island air.

A service of Music and Contemplation will take place at the Salt Spring Island United Church 111 Hereford Avenue on Saturday July 27th 2013 at 4:00pm followed by a tea reception.

Donations to the Lady Minto Palliative Care Unit in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.

Mike Byron

JANUARY 17, 1931 – JULY 14, 2013

Mike passed away peacefully at home on the morning of July 14, 2013. His wife of 52 years, Bev and his three daughters, Francie, Jacquie and Deanie were with him.

Mike is survived by his wife Beverly and three daughters Frances (Doug); Jacqueline (Brent), Nadaene (Charlie) and their children: Braden, Bailey, and Josie; Jonah and Ella; Michael and Ryan. He is also survived by two brothers, Kenneth Byron, Sr. and Terrence Byron, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two brothers, Colin and Howard.

Mike arrived on Salt Spring Island in 1934 at the age of three with his family. He graduated from the high school in Ganges in 1949 and then enrolled in the teacher training school in Victoria. At the age of 19 he was hired by the Surrey School District as principal of a Primary School. Mike spent 11 years teaching in various Surrey schools and was principal for 10 of the 11 years. It was here that Mike met his wife Bev, originally from Slocan B.C., who was a teacher in one of Mike’s schools. Mike established the Prince Charles Boxing Club and was actively involved in the Valley Gateway Amateur Boxing Association.

In 1961 Mike accepted a position as P.E. teacher at the Gulf Islands Elementary Secondary School, and Mike and Bev moved to their farm on Beaver Point Road. Mike taught a variety of subjects during his years on Salt Spring including P.E., English, Law, Social Studies, Science, and Community Recreation. However, he is best known for the Agriculture program, which he developed in 1973. Mike retired from teaching in 1988, having been in the classroom for 38 years. He always said, “And I enjoyed every day of it.”

As well as teaching, Mike also ran a full-time farming operation, mostly cattle in the early years, and more recently, a large flock of sheep. Mike and Bev carried on a barbecue business for 25 years, cooking lambs for a variety of celebrations.

Mike was very active and well-known in the farming community. He was a member of the Farmer’s Institute since returning to the Island in 1961, and was either secretary or chairman of District A Farmer’s Institute (Vancouver Island) from 1977 to 2000. In 1976 he was the fire behind reinstating the Salt Spring Island Fall Fair which had lapsed since the 1950’s. In 1998 the Farmer’s Institute named Mike Volunteer of the Year and the BC Institute of Agrologists named him Agriculturist of the Year for the province of BC.

Mike was also well-known for his community contributions. In 1973 Mike was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and in 2009 Mike and Bev were awarded a Community Service Award.

In so many ways Mike shared his skills and knowledge and strengthened the Islands agricultural roots. There is hardly a student or teacher who doesn’t have a story to tell or a lesson learned from “Uncle Mike”. He gave the gift of generosity to all who met him, always lending a hand without question. No task was ever too big for Mike. He lived his life with courage and perpetual energy. Now the Heavens will take on the boundless spirit of Mike Byron.

Many thanks to the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Lady Minto Hospital for their kindness, care and attention during Mike’s stay.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Canadian Red Cross.

Service details to follow in next week’s paper.