ANDERTON, Leo Wilfred "Wilf"
October 6, 1912 - August 26, 2010
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our “Dad” and “Grampie” – Leo Wilfred (Wilf) Anderton. Wilf was born on October 6, 1912 at home in Courtenay and died peacefully on August 26, 2010. Wilf was the grandson of William Anderton who settled in the Comox Valley in 1881.
Wilf loved the Comox Valley, and he loved people. He was truly a gentleman. Wilf enjoyed a wonderful childhood and spent a good deal of time camping and fishing at Little River and hiking and skiing in the local mountains. Following his return from active service in Europe during World War II, Wilf joined his Father’s firm, P. Leo Anderton & Co Ltd., the Comox Valley’s first real estate and insurance firm. He was a Fellow of the Insurance and Real Estate Institutes and a Notary Public. He sold the insurance business in 1977 to the company that is now known as Vancouver Island Insurance Centres but he continued his practice as a Notary Public for a number of years.
He was a tireless worker on community projects. Wilf was a charter member of the Courtenay Kin Club and served as its Deputy Governor. He was a proud member of the Courtenay Rotary Club for over 57 years having served as its President in 1965 following in the footsteps of his Dad who was a charter member of the Club in 1936. He served in the roles of President and Secretary for the Group Committee of the local Boy Scouts of Canada. Wilf was the Secretary/Treasurer of the 1967 B.C. Centennial Committee for the Comox Valley. He served as the Federal Returning Officer for several elections.
Wilf was an avid golfer for over 50 years and had been an active member of the Comox Golf Club. Wilf and Audrey enjoyed the weekly company of their “bridge and poker” friends for over 35 years. He enjoyed listening to music but his favourite activity was spending time with his family. In later years he found pleasure in hiking with his grandchildren and finding stashes of wild blackberries for Audrey to make one of her fabulous pies. Wilf was a lifelong learner, a student of life. Following his retirement, Wilf and Audrey travelled extensively, always curious about other people and other lands.
Wilf was predeceased by his father P. Leo Anderton, his mother Rosebud (Whelan) Anderton, his brother Leslie and his sister and brother in law Helen and Gordon McIntyre. He leaves to mourn his passing and to remember him always, his wife of 71 years Audrey (Mellado) and children Gregory (Maria) Anderton, Marjorie Gibson and Audrey (Ray) Craig, Grandchildren Meredith (Todd) Kennedy, Lyndsay (Ryan Charles) Gibson, Kendra Walker, Dana Gibson, Craig Rennison, and Troy (Rita) Calleran, Great grand children Sophie, Logan and Declan Kennedy and Chloe Charles. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends who will remember him as a kind, compassionate and gentle man.
The family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to Dr. A. Bakshi and to the staff of the Comox Valley Seniors Village for their loving care as Wilf approached the end of his life's journey.
Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers donations in Wilf’s name may be sent to the Building Fund of the Comox Valley Hospice Society, 2137 Comox Ave., Comox, B. C. V9M1P2 or the charity of your choice.