Obituaries

Victor Henry Fafard Aug. 27, 1933 - Jan. 6, 2024 Victor Henry Fafard died January 6, 2024, in Palliative Care at Nanaimo Regional General hospital after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 90 years old. Vic grew up on a farm near Broadview, Saskatchewan...

Marion Kalicum (née Yanke) A Life of Love and Legacy Marion Kalicum, known lovingly as “Nanny” to all, born Marian Yanke on April 8, 1932, in Lethbridge, Alberta, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2023, near Nanaimo, British Columbia. A remarkable woman whose life...

Lloyd Eldene Morgan Jan. 7, 1950 - Dec. 10, 2023 Lloyd Eldene Morgan passed away December 10th 2023. His family surrounded as he transitioned into another world. He will be missed. He is finally at peace after suffering for many years with a blood cancer that weakened...

Robert Bolivar Castell June 15, 1931 to July 21, 2023 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Bolivar Castell. Robert was born June 15, 1931, in Smithers, BC, and married his beloved wife of 60 years, Betty, in Vancouver, 1955. Along with...

Janet Mary Graham March 21,1938 - Dec 4,2023 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Janet Mary Graham following a tragic accident. Born on March 21,1938 in Roseville, Sydney, Australia Janet was the youngest of five children. She had a happy,...

Dennis Edward Johnston Aug. 29, 1940 - Nov. 28, 2023 On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, suffering from Parkinson’s disease and congestive heart failure, Dennis Edward Johnston died peacefully in his home in Cumberland. He was surrounded by his wife, Sharon, his daughter,...

Robert Kelly Stacey Sept. 21, 1962 - Oct. 18, 2023 It is with aching sadness, that we say goodbye to our brother Robert Kelly Stacey. Rob passed away suddenly and peacefully on October 18, 2023. Rob was born in Tisdale Saskatchewan on September 21, 1962. He was a...

Now in peace: Claudia Nalini Rauch-Yeend 1990 - 2023 Claudia was born in 1990 in Romania, and died November 11, 2023 in Nanaimo’s Palliative Ward, after suffering for many months with cancer. She leaves behind daughters; Lilly and Rosie, brother Stefan (and partner...

Dr. Glen Craig Tapping May 4, 1948 - Oct. 3, 2023 Craig Tapping passed away peacefully following a short illness at Nanaimo Regional Hospital. He passed away with friends at his side, whom before he drew his last breath, were sharing a funny story regarding Craig. As...

Dr. Mary Ann Richards March 3, 1960 – September 15, 2023 She was the one who wasn’t supposed to die. Out of all of us, young or old, she was the one who had to stay. We said this to her two months ago, in the early days of finding out her terminal diagnosis, and she...

Christine Garlick-Griffin Christine passed with grace and dignity and on her own terms September 01, 23. Gabriola Island was her and Paddys home for many years. In  2018, after Paddy’s passing and her Parkinsons progressed she moved to Vancouver. She was pre-deceased...

Ian Todd Brownlie 1939-2023 Passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Ian is survived by his wife Noreen, as well as his daughters Alison (Brian) and Lesley (Omer), and adored...

George Paul Ryan Sep. 29, 1942 - Apr. 30, 2023 Beloved Gabriola Community member for over 20 years (full time). Our Folklife Village got a little quieter this past spring as our dear George “left the building,” as they say. His beautiful soul was released from his...

Kerry Sorrenti (nee Maloney) Kerry passed away suddenly in Calgary on Saturday August 5th. Barely a month before her 70th birthday, she will be sadly missed by her husband of 40 years Jordan, and her two sons Liam and Paddy and daughter-in-law Tara, and granddaughter...

Christina Laura Fulsom Suddenly on July 26th 2023, Tina died at 39 years. She leaves behind her beloved and loving, 6 year old son Abel, her parents Bob and Nancy and aunts Rebecca and Barbara. Her husband, Jeremy predeceased her. In spite of her learning disorders,...

Karel Korinuk With tears in our hearts, we unexpectedly said good-bye to Karel Korinek, husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He departed from our lives on June 27th, 2023 while on his mountain bike. He mastered a wide range of expertise as a successful engineer...

Laurie Lynn Webster June 13, 1953 - July 14, 2023 It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Laurie Lynn Webster, of Gabriola Island, at the age of 70 years. Laurie was born to George and Margaret Webster in Sperling, Manitoba. She spent her...

James (Jim) Alfred Heise Sept. 4, 1951 - June 23, 2023 James (Jim) Alfred Heise passed away peacefully during the night of Friday, June 23rd. Jim leaves behind his loving partner, Leni, his children- Callista, Garnet, Adrian, and Jamie-Sue and his grandchildren -...

Wolfe, Marlin David On June 15th 2023 Marlin passed away at the age of 79. He was born in Gravelbourg SK and knew from a young age he wanted to be a musician. Marlin was accepted to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London England and returned to Canada upon...

Codi Rochelle Dumont Oct. 5, 1989 -Mar. 22, 2023 Words cannot express how sad and broken-hearted we are to announce the unexpected passing of Codi. She was a young free spirit who loved life and all it had to offer. She lived both in Ontario and Gabriola Island,...

John Thomas Aubrey Switzer Jan. 22, 1948 - June 8, 2023 John Switzer passed away peacefully on June 8, 2023 at his farm on Gabriola surrounded by family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents and sister and is survived by his sons and ex-wife. John was born on...

Heather Marilynn Kay Dec. 25, 1945 – Apr. 19, 2023 We are very saddened to announce that Heather Marilynn Kay died on April 19, 2023 after defying the odds of glioblastoma (brain cancer) for over four years. Heather was born on Christmas Day, 1945 in Westmount,...

Valerie Stonehouse June 20, 1940 - Mar. 30, 2023 We are saddened to announce the passing of Valerie Stonehouse. She left us suddenly and unexpectedly, but peacefully in her sleep at the age of 82. She is survived by her two daughters Shelley (Kevin) and Tanya (Jenn),...

Lawrence Spero Sept. 17, 1942 - Apr. 6, 2023 Lawrence was born in Edgeware (London), England during the Second World War. He used to recall sharing a bedroom with his grandfather and being put under a mattress during the Blitz. He kept a print of Edgeware by the side...

Thomas R. Wilson 1941-2023 It is with great sadness that we share the news of our loss of Tom Wilson, patriarch to the Gabriola clan: wife Diane (of 61 years), son Steven, daughter-in-law Vanessa Craig, granddaughters Madelaine and Lillia Craig-Wilson; as well as...