We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Wayne Robert Bradley (72 years) on Saturday April 3, 2021. After a recent cancer diagnosis and very brief illness, Wayne died peacefully surrounded by the love of his family in Hospice at the Views, Comox, BC.
While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his life. Wayne was born in Stettler, Alberta and moved to the Comox Valley when he was 17. He attended UBC but was drawn back to the Comox Valley to work on oyster farms.
An avid reader, he encouraged young people to 'never let school get in the way of a good education'.
He worked as a tree planter and thinner, and later became one of the founding owners of Fanny Bay Oysters. His connection to the ocean was key to his growing environmental awareness and activism.
In spite of limitations due to health, Wayne was very involved in many organizations and causes including the peace movement and LGBTQ+ issues (PFLAG). He served several years on the boards of the Georgia Strait Alliance, the Campbell River, Courtenay & District Labour Council, and Co-Development Canada. In the 1980s, he served 5 years as a School Board Trustee where he pushed for a grievance procedure for staff.
In 1990, Wayne was a founding member of the World Community Development Education Society and continued to find films for the World Community Film Festival until very recently. In 1996, World Community brought the first Fair Trade coffee to the Comox Valley.
Wayne made several trips to Nicaragua to make connections with the coffee farmers and with the health promoters supported by the profits of World Community coffee sales.
In 2018, Wayne and Janet shared a wonderful trip to Ireland where Wayne was able to visit the birthplace of his father who was born in 1880 in Castlecomer, Kilkenny county.
Wayne was enormously proud of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by Janet Fairbanks, his partner of over 45 years, and by their children Megan Fairbanks, Kirsten Bradley (Kris), Melia Whyte (Dave); by grandchildren Finn, Adrian, Olie, Kyla, Lauren and Rory; and by his sister Sally Floden (Edmonton) and brother Jim Bradley (Calgary), and his nieces and nephews.
An online celebration of life will be organized at a later date. To honour Wayne's activism, wit and passion, please continue to work for social and environmental justice. If able to do so, a donation to your favourite local non-profit organization would be appreciated.
Condolences may be offered at www.telfordtoneffboyd.ca
Telford Funeral Services