Wilbert C. (Wib) Watkinson of Courtenay, British Columbia, died peacefully at age 82 in Burnaby General Hospital on Thursday, 1 November 2012. Wib suffered heart trouble and complications from diabetes, and had been in assisted living in Burnaby since February 2010. Wib is deeply missed by his four children and their families, Kelly (Helen), Andrew (Anne Scott), Martha (Doug Jeffrey), and Paul (Angela), and his three grandchildren, Katy, Sam, and Sage.
Wib lived and worked in the Comox Valley where he was born and raised. He worked as an auto mechanic since the fifties, bought a commercial fishing boat and fished for several years, and worked as a lift operator on Forbidden Plateau in the off season. He also served as a civilian employee for the Department of National Defense as a mechanic for 13 years, retiring in the late 1990’s.
In his retirement Wib devoted much time and energy to the Fish and Game Club. He was enthusiastic about protecting and restoring salmon stocks in the local waterways.
Wib will be cremated, and a memorial event
will be held at the family home in Courtenay on
Saturday, 1 December from 2pm – 6pm.
Please drop by to help us remember Wib.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association. PO Box 3177, Courtenay, BC V9N 5N4