BORASTON, Walter Robert
With immense sorrow we announce the passing of Walter Robert Boraston while he was surrounded by his family on September 25, 2014. Robin, as he was known to most, will be greatly missed by his wife Helen; his daughter Susan (Suni) & husband Steve; son Geoff & partner Angela; and son Alisdair & wife Cathy. Six grandchildren, Katrina, Andrew, Sara, Natalie, Amanda, and Julia, will dearly miss their “Papa.”
Robin was born in Rutherglen, Scotland, on October 31, 1933. Education as a physician at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland ultimately led to Robin’s first emigration to Canada where he utilized his training by taking the role of medical officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He undertook this adventure in 1958 with his new bride and childhood sweetheart, Connie (who predeceased him in 2007). After 2 years in Chatham, New Brunswick, Robin returned with his growing family to London, England, to work as a general practitioner. Robin’s second and final emigration to Canada was in 1967 when he moved with his still growing family to Edmonton, Alberta, to specialize in psychiatry at the University of Alberta. In 1974, the now family of five settled in Comox, BC. Robin finally moved to Victoria, BC, in 1987 where, after a long and successful career dedicated to helping people, he retired from practicing psychiatry in 1998.
Robin was a true Renaissance man. In his youth he played rugby for County Stirling as a speedy winger. His emigration to Canada stirred in him a love of sailing – he owned and skillfully raced a number of boats over the years - and promoted an affinity for skiing. Robin’s exploits as a young student on St. Andrew’s Old Course were re-visited in the 1980s as a bout with the golf bug that he couldn’t shake. This, along with a long-standing fondness for the art of fishing, kept him active into his retirement. In addition to being a great sportsman, Robin’s creative talents were displayed in an enormous and ever-evolving range of hobbies from, for example, growing roses to tying fishing flys to building furniture to photography to building model sailing ships, and many others. His hobbies were always executed with remarkable skill and panache. This vibrant life of activities was, of course, painted on the backdrop of a rich family life, where as a husband and father he was dedicated, supportive and loving. He never failed to enlighten and enrich his children’s lives by sharing with them his love of an active lifestyle. To Robin a family was not complete without a dog. As a lifelong dog-lover he enjoyed canine affection through all of his years and cut the figure of a dapper Scottish gentleman while walking his companions - he will be missed by Geordie, Annie, and Nell.
A Memorial Service will be held in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, 1400 Vancouver St, Victoria BC on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Victoria Hospice are gratefully appreciated: Victoria Hospice, 4th Floor, Richmond Pavilion, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC, V8R 1J8.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
McCall’s of Victoria, BC
(1-800-870-4210)