It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Brian Wayne Gibson on May 17th, 2022 at the age of 69. Our Dad was a fighter to the very end when he took his final breath surrounded by his loving children.

Brian has left our presence to be reunited with his father Merv, mother Margaret, brother Bruce and sister Christina. Cherishing his memory are his children; Dallas (Rhonda), Darcy (Colby), Tara (Greg), Chelsea (Trevor), Megan (Lee) and his nine grandchildren who he loved beyond measure; Kalib (Sukey), Laiken, Jaxon, Callie, Madi, Kaycee, Wyatt, Isla and Hanna, whom they affectionately referred to as ‘Pop Pop’. He also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends.

Known to many as “Gibby”, he began his career as an Oak Bay Firefighter in 1976 where he was of service to his community until his retirement in 2005. Dad was an avid outdoorsman who was a natural born fisherman spending much of his life on the water, becoming a master of his craft as a top angler in several derbies throughout the years. He also had a passion for hunting, spending weeks on end in the bush in central and northern BC where he took a more laid back approach. When he wasn’t hiding in his tree stand, he was dreaming about the perfect buck while resting his eyes on the side of a dirt road.

During his final days, Dad’s humour and stubbornness kept the doctors and nursing staff on their toes. Our family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Jeremy Christensen, the nursing staff and support team at RJH for their amazing care and perseverance in our Dad’s extremely complicated and evolving condition. Even with the state of our healthcare system in crisis, you provided him with the care and professionalism that was above and beyond what we could expect in this difficult situation, and no words can express our thanks to you and your unwavering commitment to our father’s care and comfort in his final days.

A celebration of life will be planned for this summer. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society in Gibby’s honor.

Tight lines Dad…

Reginald Foster went to his eternal home on March 25, 2022.  He was born in Wallaceburg, Ont., the 11th of 15 children.  He has left behind his wife, Rosemary, 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He served in the RCN during the Korean conflict on HMS New Glasgow, played lacrosse for the Victoria Shamrocks and was an avid Montreal Canadian hockey fan. He loved puttering in the garden, camping and cruising.  He was always willing to help in any way he could. He was Mr. Fix it! No service by request.

Predeceased by his parents, John (Jack) and Grace (Spiess) Carlisle.  Survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathleen, sons, David and Doug; in-laws Andrew and Meryl Finneran, John and Jacki Finneran, Mary Russell, Anne and Carl Whiteside; many nieces and nephews, 3 grand-nephews, one grand-niece; godsons, Garrett and David, and relatives in Canada, US and UK.

Jack spent the first eight years of his life in Wainwright, Alberta, surrounded by the love of his mother, Grace; Uncle Earl and Auntie Barbara, and cousins Eileen and Ardis.  His father, Jack, having died suddenly from Strep throat a few months before his birth.

Grace felt the west coast beckoning after a visit to see friends in Vancouver.  In 1939, mother and son moved to English Bay where Grace opened a rooming house, mostly occupied by girls working in wartime factory occupations.   Out of necessity and a work ethic inherited from his mother, Jack had jobs from a young age, a huge paper route in the West End, delivery boy for the local butcher, and the breaks from university found him doing golf course maintenance and laying railway ties.  After graduating from UBC, he stumbled into the world of FINANCE, introduced to it by chance when he saw a friend with a ticker tape, and asked for an explanation.  Fascinated by the concept of Bids and Asks and fluctuating prices, he got a job at a local brokerage firm.  Starting off as a delivery boy, rising through the ranks to phone boy, assistant trader, then head trader.

After working for various brokerage firms, Jack and friends decided to form their own brokerage company, Carlisle Douglas Ltd in 1968.  The profession he loved was eventually eliminated by technology when the Vancouver Stock Exchange was closed, and trading was done electronically.   The office environment lacked the excitement Jack had become accustomed to, and he decided to retire in 1988.

Retirement gave him more time to spend at his property on Pender Island.  His jobs there never stopped.  Mowing the fields, chopping/splitting wood, making trails, split rail fences, maintaining the forest — he loved them all.  The Pender place became the “go to” place for young and old.  David, Doug and their friends loved spending time there, getting the tasks Jack had waiting for them done before the party started!  Youngsters loved playing on the beach and running through the fields – adults loved relaxing by the water, barbecues, lots of laughter and total quiet.  Jack and Kath decided to make the permanent move to Pender from Vancouver in 1997.  Not a day too soon, as far as Jack was concerned.  His passion for Pender knew no bounds and yet when it was time to slow down and smell the roses his move to Vancouver Island was embraced.  North Saanich became his and Kath’s new home, where he very happily spent the last five years.

The care and support Jack and his family received from the doctors and staff of Saan Pen, Royal Jubilee hospitals and Community Health Services is beyond words. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

In lieu of flowers donations to Saan Pen Hospital would be appreciated. Website: sphf.ca

A celebration will take place in the future.

 

Margaret Joan Bryant passed away the evening of March 12, 2022, peacefully at Glenwarren Lodge, Victoria BC.  Margaret was, to everyone, the sweetest, kindest, most generous person they’d ever met.  Born December 12, 1937 in Quesnel, B.C., Margaret’s family eventually settled in Victoria.  She proudly attended George Jay Elementary, SJ Willis and Vic High. At 18, Margaret attended Victoria Normal School and then taught elementary school until 1963. She met the love of her life, Ray Bryant, in 1956. Margaret and Ray wed in 1960 and raised their family in Esquimalt and Gordon Head. In 1983, Margaret returned to teaching after attending UVIC with her daughter Janine. Margaret received her B.Ed. in 1983.   Margaret joyfully taught at St. Margaret’s School until her retirement in 1996.  She also taught workshops across BC focused on educational technology.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as a young adult, Margaret remained resilient, endlessly compassionate and exuberantly cheerful and loving to all, never despairing at her chronic illness.  Her great treasures were her children, Janine, Michael, and Alan; their spouses Robert Roy and Susan Abramovitch; grandchildren Matt and Hayley Margaret Roy; Sadie and Louie Bryant; daughter in law Devi Roy and great grandchild Henry Alan Roy; nieces Sandy and Denise.  Margaret and Ray were blessed with many friends and a lifetime of adventures.  For years after she entered Glenwarren, Ray visited his beloved bride twice a day until the very end. The family is eternally grateful to the remarkable staff at Glenwarren.  Donations may be made to MS Society of Canada.  Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

       

Mervyn was born on Salt Spring Island. He worked on BC Ferries, with Fisheries, the Marine Division R.C.M.P. and the interior forest industry.

His joy in retirement was his productive garden, fishing at the breakwater and bird watching.

He was blessed to have met Marjorie Calvert later in life.

He is survived by his older brother Bruce, sister-in-law Jeanette and niece Erin, cousin Marilyn and many friends.

No service by request.