Oliver John BURBRIDGE

BURBRIDGE, Oliver John
December 29, 2016
Victoria, BC

John died peacefully in his sleep at 97, after a very happy and fulfilling life.
  He was predeceased by his loving wife, Isabel in 1992; his brother, Ralph in 2009 (Frances, d.1995; Margaret); and his sister, Joyce in 2013 (Don Stewart).
  John is survived by his four children: Pat (Ken Bagnall); Ron (Lorraine); Joan (Doug Bannan); and Judy (Jack); his grandson, Brian Bannan (Vanja); and his great-grandson, Theo Bannan (1 year). He will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews.
  John began his career at 16 with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Vancouver. During WW II he joined the RCAF and was a Flight Lieutenant, training pilots on the Mosquito and other aircraft in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
  He returned to the bank in Vancouver and Penticton and later was manager of CIBC branches in Toronto. He retired as manager of the main branch in Vancouver where he had started as a teller in 1935.
  John loved boating all his life and in Ontario he and his family enjoyed cruising on Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe. In 1967, the family sailed on 'Spindrift' with the Canadian Power Squadron flotilla from Georgian Bay, through the Trent Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway, docking at the marina at Expo 67 in Montreal. It was a memorable experience, meeting Canadian and American boaters who joined with us in celebrating Canada's centennial. In retirement, John and Isabel moved to Sidney, BC and enjoyed cruising the BC coast aboard 'West Wind II' over three decades with family and friends. He will be remembered by their many friends in Sidney and Victoria.
  His family will miss him greatly, but we all have many good memories of his life.
  We send sincere thanks to the kind and thoughtful staff at Glenwarren Lodge who looked after him so well over the last four years.
  'Home is the sailor, home from the sea.'
No service by request. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice or the Alzheimer Society of Canada.