July 23, 1921 - January 19, 2019
Bud, in his 98th year, passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2019. He spent his last days enjoying the ocean view with his sons at his side. Born on July 23, 1921 in Pitt River, B.C., he was raised in Port Coquitlam before moving to Vancouver at age 18.
Bud joined the army in July 1940. Basic training took place on B.C.'s West Coast and the English Midlands. In July 1943 he, as a member of the Westminster Regiments 1st Canadian Armored Brigade, fought in The Sicilian and Italian Campaigns as a radio operator and Bren Gun Carrier on Dec. 3, 1944, near Raveena. Bud was severely wounded by a rifle grenade, 6 months of hospitalization on ships, in tents and a Trans Canada Hospital train Bud returned to Port Coquitlam in June 1945.
Before the war, Bud had met Jean Alice Duncan and they married in November 1946. They had 65 wonderful years together before Alice's passing in 2011.
Bud started his B.C. Corrections Service career as a guard at the Boys Industrial School (Vancouver) in 1945. With the opening of Brannen Lake, Boys School in Nanaimo, they made the move in 1954. In November 1960, the became a probation officer, a successful application resulted in a transfer to Kamloops in July 1961, where he remained until 1972. A promotion found him in Courtenay, which culminated in his position of North Island Director of Corrections until his retirement in 1983.
Bud was active in the Lions, Rotary and served as president of North Kamloops Minor Hockey from 1965-1972.
Bud loved his family and enjoyed camping, fishing, horseshoes, lawn bowling, refinishing furniture, yelling at the Vancouver Canucks on TV and was a familiar face at garage sales. He enjoyed a good laugh and "happy hour" with family and friends at the waterfront.
Bud was predeceased by his wife Alice (Duncan), brothers Rick, Bruce and Jackie, sisters Lucy (Clare) and Marion (Pyle).
He will be lovingly remembered by sons Roy, Bill (Brenda); granddaughters Kelsey James (Chris), Kara Mayberry (Marty), grandson Will Mabbett; great-granddaughters Alise and Harper James, and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
The family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to the "Care Team" at 3D North Island Hospital, Comox Valley, for their comfort and smiles during Bud's last days.
Also, a sincere thank you to the Vancouver Island Health Care Home Support workers for their love and compassion.
A special thanks to the Comox Valley Hospice Society for the wonderful service they provide.
Having lived a Craigdarrock Beach for 46 years, our heartfelt thanks go out to the neighbours, past and present, who mean so much to him. Our family will always cherish these friendships and those in the Comox Valley.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing Bud will always remember his caring, sense of humour and smile. Bud's was a life well lived.
A celebration of life will take place in the summer.
