Nanaimo News Bulletin, March 29, 2012 by Black Press Media Group

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Nanaimo News Bulletin

B17

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEATHS

WIPPER

H.W. Dorothy Selzler (nee Stanhope) February 12, 1924 - March 19, 2012

Harry Robinson

May 8, 1930 ~ March 22, 2012 Born May 8th 1930 in St. Catharines Ontario, he was affectionately known as “Buddy” to his family. Through determination, he became an accomplished athlete who excelled in team sports, particularly lacrosse in which he won four national Mann Cup championships with Peterborough. After graduating from McGill University, he came out west in 1956 as player/coach for the Nanaimo team who went on to win the Mann Cup that year. He would later be inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Ontario, Peterborough and Nanaimo Sports Halls of Fame. In 1958 he began working for the City of Nanaimo as manager of facilities & recreation. During the same year he fell in love with one of Nanaimo’s native daughters, Sharon Storrie. The two were soon married and began raising their family of four children. In 1969 Dad and Mom built their beautiful waterfront home on the shores of Nanoose Bay. We moved in with plywood floors, stud walls and no interior doors. Life was wonderfully busy with dogs, cats, horses, ducks and pet crows; summers spent swimming, fishing, sailing & waterskiing; family picnics; the backyard skating rink, the big garden, the Dawson Valley farm, family camping, canoe and ski trips (Mt. Baker was never the same after Dad skied there). Later on, Mom and Dad would spend the summers cruising up and down the inner coast aboard Innisfree 1 and travelling abroad. Dad understood the value that parks & recreation provides a community. Through his leadership and work with many service clubs and sports organizations he spearheaded the development of many of Nanaimo’s parks and recreation facilities including Bowen Park, Maffeo-Sutton and May Bennett-Pioneer Parks, the Bowen Complex and the Kinsmen Pool. Dad also enjoyed his community involvement with Rotary. When Dad retired in 1988 the City of Nanaimo named a new park, Harry Wipper Park off of Hammond Bay Rd., in his honour. Mom’s sudden death in 2002 was a shock to Dad and the whole family. After a few years he had the good fortune to start a new relationship with the lovely Shirley Rafter. The two of them enjoyed travelling together and spending time with family and friends. Dad passed away quietly on March 22nd, as his struggle with Parkinson’s came to an end. He is survived by his four children, Jennifer (Barry) Clarke, Peter (Karen), Philip (Becka), Elizabeth (Graham) Makarewich; and seven grandchildren: MacKenzie Clarke, Cam & Logan Wipper, Sam & Ewan AckroydWipper and Jack & Michael Makarewich; sister Audrey Wipper; cousins and extended family from Ontario. Dad taught us the value of hard work and perseverance. It’s not the talent you were given but rather the effort you put into reaching your potential. He was a strong, honourable man who lived his life with integrity and respect and who deeply cared for his family. We are proud of his accomplishments and grateful for the opportunities that he and Mom provided us. Friends and family are invited to join us in celebration of Dad’s life at a Memorial Service and Tea to be held on Saturday, April 7th at 2:00 pm at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 29 Church St., downtown Nanaimo. The family would like to thank the venerable Brian Evans, staff and members of St. Paul’s Church, Sands Funeral Chapel and especially thank the very kind Joe Marie Abella who was Dad’s full time caregiver over the past year. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre would be greatly appreciated (c/o UBC Hospital, 2221 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, B.C, V6T 2B5 www.parkinsons.ubc.ca

We are saddened to announce the passing of Dorothy. She will be deeply missed by her family. Dorothy is survived by her husband Lee Selzler, her daughter Virginia Horrocks (Delbert) and sons, John Booth (Charlene) and Peter Booth and brother Hugh Stanhope (Cynthia). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Nicole, Kimberly, Colin, Trevor, Roy, Taylor, Megan, and two great-grandchildren, Justin and Nathan. A celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Church, 595 Townsite Road, Nanaimo, on March 30th at 2pm. In lieu of ﬂ ﬂowers, donations can be made to the Nanaimo Hospice Society.

DEATHS

Shirley Gray has spent the past wee

them the afternoon of March 21, 2012. A devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, Shirley always kept a watchful eye on her family. That same tender eye made her a masterful painter, potter, quilter, chef and baker. She excelled at any interes she chose to undertake. That keen eye als meant she was a shrewd Duplicate Bridg anding member of Nanaimo’s Art group, and she had also been a memb of both Altrusa and Probus. It gave he great pleasure to know she was making difference. Shirley is sadly missed by son Rob an Jackie; daughter, Carolyn; grandson Andrew; Molly and Kramer; and all wh new and loved her.

Winter, Gwendolyn Carol (nee Campbell) Born December 25, 1924 in Vancouver, B.C. Died February 28, 2012 in Nanaimo, B.C. Gwendolyn is predeceased by husband, Art Denton, in 1970; and second husband, Timo Winter, in 2002; brothers, Lawrence and Robert Campbell; sisters, Margaret Ekengren and Lorna Sutherland. Left to mourn her passing are, sister, Kathleen Forbes of Anchorage, Alaska and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Gwen was a graduate of St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1946. She married Art Denton in the same year. After 11 years spent working in medical clinics Gwen furthered her nursing education at VGH by studying surgical nursing. She continued her career as a surgical nurse at Nanaimo Regional Hospital until her retirement in 1978. Gwen remarried in 1976 to Timo Winter. They enjoyed many happy years together making wine, gardening, ﬁshing and travelling. Gwen was a devoted wife, sister, aunt and friend. She was stoic and strong to the end. “I’ve had a great life, I’m ready to go,” she often remarked in her last year. She went in peace and with serenity. The family would like to thank the kind and lovely staff at Dover House for making Gwen’s ﬁnal moments comfortable. They would also like to thank her good friend, Betty and her whole family for the love and devotion they always showed to her. Gwen loved them all as family. Memorial Service to be held Saturday, March 31st at 1:30pm at Sands Funeral Chapel, 1 Newcastle Avenue, Nanaimo. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in memory of Gwen, may do so to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation, 1200 Dufferin Cres. Nanaimo BC, V9S 2B7, where it will be greatly appreciated. Sands~Nanaimo (250)753-2032

A celebration of Shirley’s life will take plac Tuesday, April 3 at 1pm at Nanaimo Trin United Church, 6234 Spartan Roa Nanaimo. In lieu of ﬂowers please make a investment to the community organizatio of your choice in Shirley’s name. Shirley valued all of her friendships and sends her love.

Hubert “Bert”

Gerard Gervais

October 23rd 1956 - March 22nd 2012 Resident of Nanaimo, B.C.

Bert passed away peacefully in the early morning on Wednesday, March 22nd, surrounded by his closest loved ones. He was born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and lived most of his adult life in central Vancouver Island. He was the youngest & beloved son, one of ten children, born to the late Hubert and Elmira Gervais. Bert will forever be remembered by his loving siblings: Joanne Machiskinic (Charlie), Gene Gervais (Corry Hostetter), Gerry Gervais, Ted Gervais (Cathy), Irene Haines & Ray Gervais; numerous caring nieces & nephews; many treasured great-nieces & great-nephews, and his devoted caregiver, Lucy Li, along with countless other family, friends & care workers whom were blessed to know him. Bert loved collecting model cars, listening to music, admiring ﬁrst nations artwork, being with his family, and conversing with friends. Bert touched the lives of many people with his endurance & courage after a tragic car accident in 1975 left him a quadriplegic at the age of 18. He maintained his trademark sense of humor & wit all the way to the end. A private celebration of his life will be held for family & his close friends. In lieu of ﬂowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Nanaimo Palliative Care Unit, Hospice Society and Rick Hansen Foundation.