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Basil HOBBS Obituary
October 19, 1946 - August 21, 2013
Born in Montreal, Basil passed away at Nanaimo Regional Hospital August 21st. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by sisters Wendy (Derek Hunt), Susan (Gordon Coburn), brothers Duncan, Derek, nephews Jonathan, Bryan, Roger, Derek, nieces Melissa, Christina, close cousin Lief Scott and long-time friend John MacIntosh. Basil had many interests. He was invited to join the Nanaimo Rotary Club, of which he became President and a longstanding, active member. Basil followed his grandfather Basil Deacon Hobbs, into the fraternity of Free Masonry. He took to Free Masonry with passion and dedication which saw him selected as a leader in the Craft, becoming the Master of Lodges in Nanaimo and later Tofino. He became the leader of Royal Arch Masonry for B.C. and Yukon and later the representative of Grand Master for Central Vancouver Island. In the legal field, Basil was able to pursue his passion for marine law while making a successful practice of corporate law. His genuine passion for benevolence saw him elected as President of the Lawyer's Benevolent Association. Basil's life-long love of the sea led him to become an avid sailor, plying the waters of B.C. first in the SPIRIT OF THE CUTTY SARK and more recently in WINDWARD PASSAGE. He brought to Nanaimo's Yachtclub the same spirit and leadership that he exhibited in all his endeavors and was pleased to be elected Commodore. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Basil's wonderful staff at Hobbs Hargrave Jennifer and Patricia and to Dr. John Carr and Nurse Penny who gave Basil such exceptional care. A celebration of life will be held on Wed. September 4, 1:00 p.m. at Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, B.C. Reception following at Nanaimo Yachtclub, 400 Newcastle Avenue, Nanaimo B.C. Flowers gratefully declined.
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21 Entries
Trevor Zado
December 20, 2013
What to say... A but a mentor, friend, and just the person who made me a better person. Basil gave me the opportunity to go to school in Japan to study and experience things in life I would have never been able to, and for that I'm forever thankful. He was there for me in so many ways at so many times its hard to think of him as being not there if I call. So now I will try and be like him and help others as he did and tell great stories of winning at the first Porsche show in Whistler, sure just a small thing but it was driven there and not trailered like a lot of concourse cars. Like polishing for hours to get the boat ready and sometimes days or weeks before it went in the water. I always will remember him as the man who put the floater on cuttysark and one who could be perfect for just being himself. Was my honor to call him pal.
Will miss you my friend and will never forget you Baz!
Trevor Zado
Tracy & Duncan Nice
November 22, 2013
We only just heard the sad news of Basil's passing. He was a true gentleman and always so encouraging, helpful and knowledgable in all our business dealings with him. We will miss being able to turn to him in the future. His cricket stories will certainly live on through my husband!
BJ Porter
October 19, 2013
So very sorry to hear of Basils passing. So many times we enjoyed a laugh together, his sense of humor was priceless, he will be missed. R.I.P. my friend
John Dudley
September 17, 2013
I am so saddened by the sad news of a dear friend passing. He was my lawyer and foremost, my friend. I have always had the upmost respect for him. He always treated everyone fairly, with great respect for all. Basil had a wonderful love for life and the great enjoyments that come with it. Especially his family and friends. I love you my friend. your kind wise words will be with me always. You were a great man, and had good qualities that we all strive for. Best of all, your heart was in the right spot.
It was a pleasure to be your friend. Until we meet again.... <3
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Marjorie Price-Gardiner
September 16, 2013
My heartfelt sympathy to Basil's family and close friends. He was not only my lawyer, but a very good friend as well. He handled a very complicated Estate matter for me, but talked at length about cameras when the digital age came in. When I bought my MGB he had a brass plaque made for her and autographed his book on MGB's for me. He was such a kind person, but also a no-nonsense lawyer. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Basil.
Wendy Hampton
September 4, 2013
With heartfelt sympathy, I just wanted to let you know, that my heart & thoughts are with you all, at this difficult time.
So, may time heal your hearts and all your memories, comfort your soul. Just know I too will miss Basil.
Please accept my sympathy and friendship always
From: Wendy ( Hamilton ) Hampton 1-250-756-5973
F. Kenneth Walton, .q.c.
September 4, 2013
I served on the canadian bar association benevolent committee with basil who was our chair and compassionate leader. I am so sorry for his sudden passing. Basil was a kind and thoughtful leader. We shall miss his wise counsel. My condolences to his family. We have lost a wonderful human being.
Alan Bagshaw
September 4, 2013
Basil left a deep impression on me in the few meetings we had in the last two years, in his role as my corporate and estate lawyer, and as my client while I made prints of one of his cherished paintings in his collection. One meeting with him in particular changed the course of my life and the lives of my siblings. I'd like to share this story ...
While I was performing executorship duties on my father's estate, my father received a registered letter from someone claiming to be his daughter. In my role as executor, having just closed all accounts and alerting all creditors, I immediately assumed this to be a sick attempt at fraud, with the letter arriving just a week after his passing. I asked Basil to weigh in on what I should do about it. He said "in my 35 years of practice, I haven't seen anything like this". He tempered my emotions, and counselled me to do my own research and reply to the letter. "What would you say to her?" he asked me. I needed more time to process this, so I followed his advice. A google search and a Facebook gallery of family photos showed an eerie resemblance to my late father's in her eyes. I found that this person was real and seemed to have a nice family of her own. Some more digging and I found that her claim was TRUE! Her mother and my father were an item in 1964/65, but the relationship ended, just before my parents started their relationship.
I wrote a lengthy letter to Shelley, my new half-sister, and invited her to the memorial in 2 days. She declined, but sent flowers the next day. We spoke in person the day after his memorial.
She didn't know about our father's death. She had searched on the internet for any sign of him, knowing only some basic information. Her mother had passed away just a couple years before our father. She found his information just before he became ill, and wrote the letter to him on January 21st, sending it a couple of days afterwards. My father passed on January 22nd in the afternoon. I was at his hospital bedside. At the same time, Shelley called his phone at home to listen to his voice on his answering machine, no less than 5 times... the first time she had ever heard his voice.
This was profoundly sad timing for Shelley, having just found her father, but not in time to meet him in person.
The blessing to this story, is that she now has found her brothers and sister she never knew about. My siblings and I have embraced our newly expanded family, my father's final gift to us all. Shelley visited us in Nanaimo and during that time toured my father's life with me and while searching through his old photos, we found proof of his relationship… photos of him and Shelley's mother in 1964.
Without Basil's truly benevolent spirit and sound counsel, I would have never been able to share this story with you. We are all blessed to have had Basil in our lives.
You are deeply missed, my friend.
Ron Smith
September 3, 2013
I was very saddened to hear of Basil passing to 'The Grand Chapter Above'. He was a great lawyer and friend to my late wife and I. My condolences to the family. I am truly thankful to have known Basil. Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.
Amanda (Chapman) Rosnau
September 3, 2013
In 1999, Basil gave me my first law office job. I'd only completed one year of law school, so it just started as a summer student internship, but he found some secretarial work for me to do as well so he could justify putting me on the payroll. I appreciate the time he took to talk to me about the practice of law, something you don't learn in law school, and to highlight the importance of community service.
On a lighter note, I remember going to see a client up island and climbing into his Porsche that morning for the journey. He put on his sunglasses, flashed a toothy smile and wordlessly proceeded to pin the accelerator. It took me a good 5 minutes to overcome the g-force and sit up in the seat!
We kept in touch for a few years, and he was always so encouraging. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to Basil's family and friends.
September 3, 2013
Be at peace dear cousin Basil.
Lovingly remembered,
Carol Hobbs DeRosa and Louie DeRosa
September 2, 2013
we were very saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend Basil. He was our lawyer and friend for many years and was such a colourful person - always great stories to share with us. Liz enjoyed playing the piano with Basil and dreaming about the Steinways we were going to buy, cars, boats etc. Rest in peace Basil. The world has lost a great man!!
George and Elizabeth Pearce
Peter Letourneux
September 2, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Hobbs family. He was an inspirational Brother of the Craft and will be missed.
Marion and Darryl Wildin
September 2, 2013
For thirty years we had a professional relationship with Basil. We appreciated his advice and great stories. We were admiring his Commodore picture at the Yacht Club wedding we attended August 24th and talked about him just this evening with some other friends. Basil has been our lawyer for some 30 years and helped with some difficult legal decisions and was helpful with the probate of Darryl's mother and father when they passed away. We send our condolences to the family and are thankful to have known Basil.
Jean & Luke Caya
September 1, 2013
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
July 14, 2013 Brits on the Beach DB8
Robb Moffatt
August 30, 2013
Sandra Chow
August 29, 2013
My deepest condolences to Basil's family and friends. He was a gentle man and a great friend. He will be missed.
Ladysmith Yacht Club
August 29, 2013
It is with profound sadness that we learned the passing away of Basil Hobbs. Basil was among the founding members of the Ladysmith Yacht Club, and our club layer. A life member and strong supporter, Basil was loved and respected. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and the boating community at large that had the pleasure to know him. The LYC will cherish the memories forever.
Luigi Morgantini, 2013 LYC Commodore
"Matilda"
Wayne, Hazel and Breony Ayers
August 29, 2013
It is very sad to have to acknowledge the passing of such a vibrant personality. A close friendship of more than forty years began with a mutual interest in sports cars and sailing. Basil first connected with "Matilda" an MG TC and then had flings with many more makes and models.
We shall mostly remember Baz for his devotion to friends clubs and the community.
Thank you Basil for being the strong person you were.
Aloha
Brian and Mary-Jo Gilmore
August 29, 2013
Deepest sympathy to the family and close friends of Basil. He was truly a gentleman and will be missed.
Jennifer Eby
August 29, 2013
My condolences go out to Basil's family and friends. I am very saddened by the passing of Basil, but I know he is in a better place and in no more pain. I am very grateful to him for the past 11 years of my employment at Hobbs Hargrave. Basil has taught me a great deal over the years. He is like family to me and my family. He loved my two girls, Mikayla and Maranda and always talked about the first time he held Maranda when she was a couple days old. We love you and will miss you xoxo
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