Herbert J. BRANTING

September 05, 1938 - October 03, 2025

Celebrating a Life Well Lived
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Herb Branting, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, on October 3, 2025, at the age of 87. Predeceased by the love of his life Gailene (Nelson) whom he missed deeply these past 3 years.
Born in Duncan on September 5, 1938. He was the youngest son and last remaining child of Oscar and Edit Branting of Lake Cowichan where he remained and built a full and happy life.
Dad worked and thrived at the Lake Cowichan Consumer Co-op where he started at age 19 and progressed through to General Manager. He believed in community values and providing a good wage to the local employees many of whom worked beside him for decades. Dad fought against Sunday openings believing that families needed to have a day for family. When he lost this battle, he told us that families would never be the same again and I think he was right. Through dedication and careful planning, he was able to retire at the age of 57 and together with Mom enjoyed a 30-year retirement.
Dad was raised in a family that respected and built a community. He was proud to be a lifelong resident of Lake Cowichan and spoke caringly about his community to everyone he met. He was known to walk daily to the grocery store and the post office often stopping and having coffee with members of the community. As a young married couple, they made time to be part of benevolent organizations for the betterment of Lake Cowichan. Dad was a lifetime member of the Lake Cowichan Fire Department and the Kinsman Club of Lake Cowichan. Through these associations they made very good friends and had ALOT of fun doing good.
In their retirement they traversed North America in their motorhome and snow birded in Yuma at Cocopah where they met many kindred spirits. When the grandchildren got older, they traded in the RV and Yuma for hockey rinks, ball diamonds and soccer pitches and turned to cruising and Hawaii and Mexico for their vacation time.
More than anything Dad loved and was loved by his family. He was a supportive father to daughters and sons in law, Tracy Lamb (Jim) of Lake Cowichan and Lisa Verwolf (John) of Victoria. He was an involved grandfather to Trevor Verwolf (Diandra) of Victoria, Carla Richards (Adam) of Stafford England, and Toby Lamb of Lake Cowichan. He cherished his great grandchildren Anders and Beckett Verwolf of Victoria, and Lucas, Vincent and Charlotte Richards of England.
He leaves a large extended family of the Branting's and Nelson's whom he cared deeply about and was able to catch up with most of them this past summer.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday November 14th at the Lake Cowichan Seniors Association 55 Coronation St, Lake Cowichan BC from 3pm to 5pm. All are welcome to attend and share memories and have light refreshments.