Victor Henry Fafard

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 with a younger sister and brother. Their father was Francophone and their mom an English schoolteacher. They spoke English “the language of business” to their children. The family had a hard time during the Depression, but all three children were able to go to university.

Vic, a professional engineer, worked in the Design Engineering Branch of Alberta Transportation from 1956 until he took early retirement in 1988. Perhaps the major project of his long career was Kananaskis Country, the large multiuse park in Alberta that was dedicated in 1978 by Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed. There, Vic represented his department, coordinating with a large team of professionals from other Provincial Departments on the early design and planning for the area. It was also working on that project that he and future wife, Phyllis, became acquainted.

Vic and Phyllis married in 1985 and in 1990 moved to Gabriola and built a stunning house on waterfront property. While Phyllis, a landscape architect, designed a garden surrounding their home, Vic continued to design and build. He generously offered his help to friends with varied projects. Sandy Duncan said, “There is not an area of my house that has not been improved by Vic’s renovation!” He even dabbled in innovative PVC construction as he helped Odette Laramee build two giant floating swans for her exciting water ballet performance of Swan Lake at the Campground in 1999. Vic also assisted with the construction of the original Museum building and spent many years as Museum caretaker.

Vic, a quiet modest man, had many friends. His favourite way of being was active: fishing with Brian Sutton, building some project with neighbours, playing badminton with others. He and Phyllis also loved to travel and camp in their 5th wheel. They travelled across Canada to Newfoundland, spent time in the American southwest, made two trips to Europe as well as regular trips to Hawaii. 

There are many who will miss Vic: he leaves his wife Phyllis, her brother Bruce (Suzi),  his sister Corinne, brother Laurie (Maureen), his aunt Faith and uncle Bud, uncle Richard, his daughter Patricia and three grandchildren and many, many friends. No memorial service is planned at Vic’s request.