Dirk Boysen

1940-2020

Our family is saddened to announce the passing of Dirk Boysen on December 9, 2020 at his home on Gabriola Island, BC due to heart failure. He is survived by his wife Eveline, brother Klaus, his first wife Alison, children Mark and Brigit, stepchildren Arnold, Karen, Colin, and Jennifer, and grandchildren Gabriela and Kai, Marcos and Nicolas, Kia and Nadege, Cole and Natalie, and Zachary. Previously departed loved ones include brother Hans-Christian and grandson Matthew. 

Dirk was born on December 2, 1940 in Hamburg, Germany to Bruno and Sophie Boysen. At 16 he apprenticed his first job in Copenhagen, Denmark. He came to Canada in 1961, arriving in Halifax by boat, and eventually started working in banking in Toronto. In 1968 he was married to Alison Gregory in Montreal and then lived in Oakville, Ontario and Tsawwassen, BC where he raised his family while working in accounting and sales for Weldwood Canada. In 1991 he was married to Eveline Harpain on Salt Spring Island and lived in Richmond, B.C. until 1999 when they moved to Gabriola Island. There they had lived for 21 beautiful years together.

Dirk was very athletic, loved soccer, and most enjoyed tennis, winning club championships several times.  In his retirement he loved to travel to warmer climates, spending many winters in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Dirk and Eveline created a wonderful garden on their island property where they enjoyed hosting their six children and their families.

Dirk loved the west coast of Canada and Gulf Islands. A living reef burial will occur in the spring of 2021 on Gabriola Island and a celebration of life in the summer of 2021.