(Charles) Julian Wake
(1947-2022)
Born in the UK on 16 February 1947, Charles Julian Wake was of Welsh, English, and Scottish ancestry. Going by the name of Julian, he was the son of Roger Wake and Olwen Mary Wynne-Finch. He attended Eton College. In 1966, he came to Vancouver to study forestry at UBC. Switching fields, he went on to earn a BA and MA degrees in social anthropology.
Julian married in 1977 and had two children. The family lived a countercultural life in the Kootenays for many years.
Julian worked in multiple capacities for many First Nations in several areas of British Columbia. He had a deep appreciation and immense respect for First Nation cultures. His work also took him to Nepal, Jamaica, and Peru, and he travelled extensively, pursuing adventures and experiences. Wherever he went, he would always immerse himself in the customs and culture of the country. Valuing connection, he kept in touch with his friends around the world and made regular road trips to the Kootneys and across BC to see friends.
On retiring, Julian moved to Salt Spring Island where one of his pleasures was to go to the Saturday market. While he’d pick up the odd item, the main purpose of attending was to chat to his many acquaintances and friends on the island and to meet new people.
At his home on Saltspring Island, he placed a number of feeders on his deck. He delighted in watching the birds visit.
Julian was also a proud gardener. Despite his failing health, he turned the land on his property on Saltspring into a fine sanctuary. He planted a large vegetable garden, surrounding it with a high fence to ward off the deer. A string of Tibetan prayer flags fluttered from the tops of two of the fence poles. He sought out seedlings and unwanted rose bushes from neighbors to further enhance the natural beauty of his patch of land.
Julian always spoke of his two children with kindness and love. He was immensely proud of them both and them of him.
On Sunday, January 16, 2022, a month before his 75th birthday, Julian died peacefully surrounded by family at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC.
Julian is remembered with love by his children, his family in the UK and France, and his friends in Canada and abroad.
A memorial service will held in the future.
Julian was a dear friend to me and my partner Gay on Salt Spring Island. Although I was at Eton with him and his brother William, we only got to know each other in the last three years. We lunched regularly at his house and he visited us a couple of times out here on the Narrows. He loved BC, the forest and nature as well as his children and friends. He was a man of deep compassion, warmth, dignity and grace. I treasure the times I spent with him. Gay and I send our love and condolences to his children and family.
My heart is heavy. My thoughts go out to Julian’s family and his Salt Spring friends, who I regret I have not met. I knew Julian only through our monthly poker nights at John Kafka’s house (The “Ardmore Poker Club”) in North Saanich. However, I do feel that I know Julian because of who he was as a person. We will remember him as warm, compassionate, engaged, witty, conciliatory. Yes, even when playing poker. I am grateful that I knew Julian and will miss him.
I was friends with Julian when we both lived in the Kootenay Lake valley. WE shared many common interests and he was the best of company