Howard STREIT

STREIT, Howard Frederic
1949 - 2016

On June 29, 2016 after a sudden and brief cancer illness our precious Howard passed away. He was the devoted husband of Patricia (Pat) and the love of her life. Howard was deeply cherished and will be sadly missed by all his family. He leaves behind to mourn his much loved stepchildren Anne-Marie (Will), Tim, Marie; grandsons Tom and Benj and sister Virginia (Harold). Howard will be sadly missed by many lifelong friends in Montreal, dear friends in his home community of Bowen Island as well as family and friends from England, Europe and across the globe. Howard was predeceased by his parents Wilma Harriet and Lewis Frederic Streit. Howard was born on March 30, 1949, in Montreal. He graduated from Concordia University in Montreal in 1972 with a BA in Geography. From 1973-1978 Howard was a project manager with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in Ottawa. He then followed his lifelong passion for chess. He made use of his distinct skills in the field, competing at national and international events across the globe including the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. From 1979, he was Vice President of the Chess Federation of Canada. He then spent eleven years managing tournaments at community centers and across Montreal schools where many of his students won provincial team championships. Howard completed an MA in Religious Studies in 1990 at Concordia University and took teacher training in 1991 followed by a diploma course in English as a Second Language in 1992-93 at McGill University. In the years that followed his great passion for education led him to teach History, English and World Religions at Westmount High School and Royal Vale in Montréal. Howard was a man with a keen intellect and unique diverse interests. His interests included hockey, British soccer (he was a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan), umpiring baseball and correspondence chess. Howard served as an Elder and chaired several committees at Montreal West United Church. From 2002-2013 Howard was a much loved teacher at Collingwood Independent School in West Vancouver. In the last four years of his life he taught English as a Second Language at the Vancouver English School to international students; a job he loved. One of Howard's greatest passions was in his love for teaching young people to develop and grow, not only towards making a successful future career, but also in the development of solid moral character that would sustain throughout a life time. Howard loved being in the company of young lives at school and took a genuine interest in their aspirations. And they loved him, often seeking him out to talk through a particular worry or dilemma. Howard's love of all-time was his wife Pat. They shared their lives fully on Bowen Island as well as travel experiences that took them across Canada, Malaysia, India, Australia, and across Europe as well as many family visits with his stepson Tim in the Quebec Laurentian Mountains and his stepdaughter Anne-Marie and her family in England. Driving from BC to Prairie towns with Pat in the summer was an annual event which they rarely missed. His heart fully embraced his stepchildren and grandchildren. He was a strong father and grandfather; always interested and always engaged in every aspect of their lives. Howard's cheerful smile, warmth, compassion and fun-loving banter with friends were well known to all who knew him. Never too busy to help others, Howard brought joy and comfort to those in need and gave us laughter and hope even in the darkest of moments. He had an open heart to everyone. He was a man who loved easily and who saw something special in every person he met. He has shown us all what goodness in a man looks like. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, August 28, at 2 p.m. at Cates Hill Chapel, 661 Carter Road, Bowen Island to celebrate Howard's life and to remember him. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the BC Cancer Foundation in support of Cancer Head and Neck Research in the memory of Howard Frederic Streit. Donations may be made to donate.bccancerfoundation.com or by mail to The BC Cancer Foundation, Suite 150, 686 West Broadway, Vancouver , BC. V5Z1G1.