March 5, 1941 - December 21, 2014
Colin was born in England in 1941 in the midst of WW2. Seeking safety, his mother fled from London to Carlisle in northern England where Colin was born. Ten years later, and after the ar-rival of two sisters, the family immigrated to Canada in 1951. They lived in Lethbridge for two years, then moved to Nelson where Colin’s father worked for the CPR. Colin met his love and soul mate Sylvia while attending high school in Nelson. They were married in 1959 embarking on a 55 year adventure. In 1960, with baby Colene, the family moved to Vancouver where they lived in student housing, while Colin studied chemistry and mathematics at UBC. Four years later in 1964, after graduating with a degree in Science, and two more children coming along (Alison and Neil), the family moved to Nanaimo, where Colin began a 22 year career with MacMillan Bloedel in the pulp and paper industry. During Colin’s career, the family lived in Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Powell River and Vancouver where he worked in research, environmental control and lastly as a fibre utilization analyst. This introduced him to computers which proved to be a new fascination and life long interest. Corporate downsizing in late 1985 created the opportunity for Colin and Sylvia to follow their dream of extensively sailing the Pacific coast which they had already been exploring for a few years in their 36’ sail boat, the “Osprey”. They sold everything and the boat became their home during a three year sabbatical. During this time they spent their winters at the family cabin on Kootenay Lake and sailed the Pacific coast in the summer which included two trips to Alaska. In 1988 they decided it was time to put down roots again, and looking for a quieter lifestyle, they sold their boat and bought a home in Riondel. Colin quickly became involved with the Riondel Cable Society where he worked as a volunteer for 25 years. He loved a technical challenge and spent hours learning cable system technology. He was a “go ahead” guy and was always looking for ways to improve the system by adding more channels and services. The introduction of broadband to the area in 2006 was one of his greatest contributions to the community. During his 26 years in Riondel he was also employed as the town maintenance man and the manager of the Riondel Golf Course. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed having his parents close by when they moved to Riondel in 2003. Colin loved alpine meadows, spending time at the family cabin, fishing from the rocks, cooking pancakes for family on Sunday mornings, huckleberry picking and taking his beloved dog Charlie for a walk. Colin is sadly missed by his parents Peggy and Clive, his wife and soulmate Sylvia, his children Colene (Brent), Alison (Barry), Neil (Janice), his grandchildren Garett and Everan as well as his faithful companion Charlie. Also sadly missed by sisters Meg (Max), Sharman and sisters in law Jane Mounce (Larry), Sally MacLean (Bruce) and Pauline Butling (Fred Wah) along with extended family and friends. The family would like to thank the community for their kindness and support, the welcome meals and baking and especially Susan Tesoriere (acting ambulance lead), the first responders and Kootenay Lake ferry crew who all went beyond the call of duty to help Colin obtain medical assistance.
A celebration of Colin’s life will be held in the Spring.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.
Online condolences are under the direction of
www.thompsonfs.ca