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SPRINGFORD, Colin Walter April 10, 1945 - January 17, 2021 Colin passed away at home on his farm in Nanoose Bay, BC, on January 17, 2021 at the age of 75. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Diane (née Doney); daughter Clarice Springford (Peter van Dongen) and son Ross Springford (Erin), both of Nanoose Bay, BC; grandchildren Janel and Troy van Dongen and Parker and Landon Springford; sister Sylvia Clark of Ajax, ON; nephews Rob Clark (Connie) and Randy Clark (Roslyn); and great nephews and nieces Cory, Christopher, Jonathan, Katie and Faith. Colin was predeceased by his parents Bond and Allyne Springford of Sooke, BC. Colin began his life on a small hand-milk dairy in Sidney, BC. The family later ran a corner grocery store in Brentwood Bay. This gave Colin his first taste of customer service, which served him well through his life in business. At age eight, he talked his father into plowing some land for his own vegetable garden, beginning his lifelong passion for gardening and farming. When Colin was just 15, Diane spotted him riding his horse at the Saanich Fair and declared, "That's my cowboy." They went on their first date January 16, 1970 and married July 12, 1975 in Saanichton. This began an incredible partnership that would last 45 years and yield two children: daughter Clarice in 1977 and son Ross in 1981. Colin worked for Chew Excavating in Victoria. He and Diane moved to Parksville in 1975 and a few years later started Town & Country Construction Parksville Ltd., which they operated together for more than 30 years, along with other businesses. Colin earned a reputation for being a fair and honest businessman who could be trusted to get the job done and get it done right. With the move up island, Colin began actively pursuing his dream of farming. He started on a nine-acre hobby farm in Parksville, then a 30-acre farm in the Dawson Valley, and finally their current 225-acre farm in Nanoose Bay. While running his businesses full time, he poured his heart and soul into the farm on evenings and weekends. Colin was committed to leave everything in life better than he found it and took great pride in being a good steward of his land and livestock. After retiring from construction, and being joined on the farm by son Ross, the family worked together to grow the farm, adding commercial egg production and a thriving retail market. Many loyal customers referred to Colin as "their" farmer. Never one to hold back on speaking his mind, Colin was a respected and passionate advocate for agriculture. He served as president of the Coombs Farmers' Institute for 10 years and was active in the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association and many other farm organizations. Colin was always eager to lend a hand or offer advice to other farmers. Colin held a special place in his heart for children and youth. At Town & Country, he offered free sand to anyone building a sandbox. He donated his time as a 4-H Leader. He made it his mission to build up the Farmers' Institute student scholarship program. And he was a long-time supporter of the Nanoose Community Services food bank and Christmas Elf Program. In his later years, much of Colin's attention was directed to his grandchildren. He loved to spend time with them, listen to their stories, and share his knowledge and life experience. The day before Colin passed away, he and Diane enjoyed a wonderful day together, driving to Duncan to visit with her mother and sister. It was January 16, 2021, exactly 51 years since their first date. Colin passed away exactly how he wished he would go, home on his farm with his dog Rex by his side. A small family service will be held on Sunday, January 24 with a celebration of Colin's life scheduled at a later date.
FOSTER, Daryl Rodney Thorpe
Daryl Rodney Thorpe Foster was born February 12, 1935 to Ken and Jessie Foster
and died October 29, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Sandy,
daughters Lynn Ogden (Ron) and Christie (Paige), grandchildren Jessie and Sam,
sister Barbara Hourston (nee Foster) and numerous nieces, nephews, first and
second cousins. Daryl was born and raised in Royal Oak on Pipeline Road. Beaver
Lake was his backyard, and this is where he spent most of his time fishing and
developing his love for nature. As a young man Daryl started working for his
uncles, Phil and Eric, at the Fernwood Garage. It was there he began his love
affair with cars, he even worked in the 'pits' for his racing cousin Billy
Foster. Daryl purchased his own hot rod, the 'Orange Crate', which he showed in
local and western US car shows. He was one of the founding members of the
Quarter Milers Car Club and successfully lobbied for a drag strip in Cobble
Hill for use by local drag racing enthusiasts. Daryl shared his time between
Victoria and Salt Spring Island (SSI) which captured his heart, so much so that
he and Sandy later purchased 7.5 acres of waterfront where their growing family
spent many happy years. Together they split their time between the two islands
where the girls developed their own love for the outdoors, fishing and all
creatures great and small. The SSI property hosted many family and work
celebrations and was missed by the Fosters when it was sold in the mid 70's.
Sailing became the next obsession for the Foster family. They would board their
26-foot sailboat "Tsonqua" in June, and spend the entire summer
exploring the east coast of Vancouver Island. They had many amazing adventures
and these memories are cherished. Daryl and Sandy's love for sailing led them
to sailboat racing with the Canoe Bay Sailing Club. For many years, Daryl was a
champion for the club and helped lead many events. In 1976, the Fosters went to
Europe and skippered the 72-foot canal barge "The Enterprise",
through the canals on a 6-month adventure with friends they had met while
sailing the BC coast. Daryl and Sandy shared a love for local Indigenous art
and culture. This led them to collect a wonderful assortment of argillite carvings,
paintings and jewellery made by local artists and dear friends from Haida
Gwaii. Daryl threw himself into all things, but none as fully as his devotion
to his grandchildren Sam and Jessie, who he loved more than anything. He spent
hours meticulously building a motorized go-cart (the mini orange crate), a
bubble machine, and always came up with clever ways to dazzle the kids with his
ability to build or fix just about anything. In his later years Daryl rekindled
his love for boats by building dozens of award winning, internationally
recognized Putt Putt boats. One of his boats even set a speed record which led
to him being interviewed and featured in a German hobby magazine and gained him
YouTube followers from around the world! Daryl acknowledged his love for Royal
Oak, his family and friends by co-founding the Royal Oak Historical Society
where a group of devoted historians continue to document, through humorous
anecdotes and pictures, the colourful history of this dynamic community in
Victoria. Sandy, Lynn and Christie would like to thank the doctors and nursing
staff at the Victoria General Hospital - 4A South who cared for Daryl so
tenderly in his final days. Daryl had a knack for making and keeping
friendships, he cherished family and worked hard to maintain connections to
both his friends and family. His life was blessed by so many people and while
this is his final F & S Production he will live on in the memories of his
friends and family - Daryl drops the mic!
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It is with profound sadness that the family of Keith J. Cameron announces his peaceful passing on May 5, 2021.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Joan Brooks, son Scott and daughter Lisa as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The loving impact he has had on his friends and family will never be forgotten.
Keith was a dedicated enthusiast and very community orientated, applying himself fully to his interests. He loved being involved in various clubs and organizations throughout his lifetime, as well as sailing around the Island, fishing and golfing.
He has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family wishes to thank all those who have shown their love and support during these trying times.
Condolences may be offered to the family at
Peter Thomas
Richard Lionel (Dick) Fatt
Joan Crocker
Callander, Ann Silver Brun
Malcom Polson
 
RON CROCKER
GEORGE WINTERBURN
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Thank you so very much Daryl, first time reviewing these posts brought back great memories and especially my appreciation for our good fortune to still be here to REMEMBER them!
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