Recent Historian Update:

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/16/2021 - 17:00

I regret to inform you of the passing of two retired Seaspan employees:

 

KENT JACOBSEN passed away on Saturday, November 13 at Evergreen after being ill and complications within the last few months, he had his 83 birthday in August.

 

ROB STEWART passed away Monday, November 15 in hospital after complications during the last few months, he had turned 84 in early November.

 

When additional information is available I’ll forward and it will also be posted on the ancientmarinersofbc.com website.   

Regards, Diane

dianebrown@telus.net 

Barry Ernest Clare

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CLARE, Captain Barry Ernest October 17, 1932 - September 2, 2021

Captain Clare in his 89th year set anchor in North Vancouver, BC on September 2, 2021. Barry is lovingly survived by his wife Ursula Mary of nearly 62 years. He will be greatly missed by his four daughters Tracy, Shelagh (Chris), Shannon and Jamie (Scott). Grandchildren Amanda (Phil), Nicole, Melanie, Ryan and Eily. Barry will be lovingly remembered by his great-grandchildren Quinn and Wyatt. Barry was predeceased by all his siblings, Neville, Barbara, Jeanie and Ernie as well as his parents Ernest and Annie Clare, all from Yorkshire, England.

At Barry's request there will be no service instead he did request you raise a glass in his memory and to "Carry On"

"Through fog and stormy seas till the ship touched land. Respected and admired by his loyal officers and crew. He was not only a fine skipper. But a wonderful Father too." written by George Lionel Andersen

"Old sailors never die but sail away till the sea touches the sky."

Condolences may be sent to Vancouver Sun Legacy

Published on October 2, 2021

Galk, Sig

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Diane Brown Sept 28, 2021:

I regret to inform you of the passing of our friend and co-worker SIG GALK on September 27, 2021 at Chilliwack Hospice.

Sig was born December 26, 1942 and died September 27, 2021, he retired from Seaspan on December 3, 2007 after 40 years of service.  As many of you know, Sig was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the bile ducts approximately February, 2020 and was given 3-9 months to live.  Sig, endured many medical procedures and with help from his wife, Angelika, fought the odds for 18 months and was grateful for each and every day that he was given.  Sig is survived by his loving wife, Angelika, daughter Michelle and husband, grandchildren Danica and Angus.

 

 

Donation by BCCP in memory of Captain Donald Chatt

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 15:46

The British Columbia Coast Pilots Ltd.

#1450 – 1130 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC V63 4A4

Attention: BCCP Executives

 

On behalf of the executives of the Ancient Mariners of B. C. Lower Mainland Chapter we extend our sincere gratitude for the generous donation of $ 500.00 in memory of our late member, Captain Donald Chatt. Don was a founder of the Ancient Mariners of BC, Vancouver Island Chapter – see www.ancientmarinersofbc.com and he would have been honoured to have been remembered in this fashion as I know his three daughters are.

I’ve known Don for decades as I was in Marine Personnel at Vancouver Tug/Seaspan and scheduled Don when he worked for the Company prior to entering Pilotage. My late husband, Capt. James Brown and Don sailed together on the tugs and we stayed in touch over the years. When Don returned to North Vancouver from Qualicum Beach, I drove him to the monthly Ancient Mariner meetings in Langley until he was no longer able to in May of 2019.

The Ancient Mariners, Lower Mainland Chapter, prior to the Pandemic met monthly and there is a membership charge of $ 3.00 per month plus a $ 2.00 fee for a 50/50 draw to those who attend. Although the website is open to all, we are the only chapter that keeps the website operating and we haven’t been able to meet due to Covid 19, therefore, no monthly income. We have worked diligently in the last few years to keep the website in operation to retain the ‘Crossing the Bar’ section to honour Mariners. Don had previously requested that BCCP email me when a Pilot passed – dianebrown@telus.net so we can enter the obituary onto the website. The generous donation sent by your organization will go a long way in assisting us to keep the website in operation until we can, hopefully, resume our monthly meetings in late 2021 or 2022. Again, our deepest gratitude for your donation.

Sincerely,

Diane E. Brown, Secretary, on behalf of the Executive of the Ancient Mariners of BC

President: Rick McKee, Vice President: Bob Fiorillo, Directors: Russ Cooper, Albert Gibson,

Rien Van Der Velden

c.c. to above Executives – c.c. Lisa Earle dianebrown@telus.net brown_diane@outlook.com

deb

King, Richard (Dick) James

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Captain Richard (Dick) James King: 1936 - Nov 26, 2020

Predeceased by: Brother - Kendall, Father - Roy, Mother - Aileen, "Adopted Brother" - Jack, Daughter - Kerry, Daughter - Kelly

Survived by: Wife - Karen ("my Island Girl" of forty-four years); Children - Candie (Frank), Rick (Nancy), Kristi (Andrew); Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren - Brett, Quinn, Spencer, Mitchel, Carson, Esmee, Carrington, Faith, Breana, Hanna, Lewis; Plus - Many Nieces & Nephews; In-laws & Outlaws; Many Friends on both land & on the water; Our special "ohana (family) on Maui; And Dick's ever faithful sidekick, Bodhi, who watched over his dad, as any loving newf would.

No more a Watch to Stand, Old Sailor, For you are drifting on an ebbing tide.  Eight bells have rung. Dog watch is done. A new Berth waits for you on the other side.

Your ship is anchored in God's Harbour. And though his sailors are of equal rank, There'll be Shipmates on the deck to greet you. And Pipe, as you ascend the Plank.

Her boiler is full ahead of steam. Cargo stowed and Galley stored.  Just waiting to get underway, When the last hand comes aboard.

Look sharp! That hand is you, Old Sailor. And you'll be sailing out on heavenly Seas.  So may the wind be ever at your back. Fair weather. And God Speed!  - Richard John Starr

Wallace, Hugh Cates

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Captain Hugh Cates Wallace....It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of an amazing man, loving father, brother, uncle, and friend on Tuesday November 3, 2020. Hugh was born May 7, 1944 to his late parents, Mary (Cates) and Hugh Wallace. Hugh first pursued a career as a machinist, then quickly decided he would follow his lifelong passion of working on the tug boats in the family business which turned into a 55 year rewarding career. The master of tractor tugs in Vancouver, Hugh was also known as "The Wayne Gretzky of ship berthing skippers" and the Z-Peller tugs as quoted from the book Skookum Tugs and his peers. Hugh loved being on the tugs and the sea even though he couldn't swim. He was so humble about all his accomplishments. He always had great stories about the tugs and things that happened in his life and when he told them his laughter was infectious and you would laugh with him. Hugh spent his spare time hiking or skiing the coastal mountains, dancing at bluegrass festivals with friends, travelling throughout BC with his aluminum boat and crab traps, or playing with his Caterpillar tractor on the Sunshine coast with his children. An incredibly resourceful person he had a deep curiosity of machinery and motors spending many hours building tractors, boat motors, and engines. An inventor of many gadgets and gizmos. There was never the word "can't" and there was nothing he could not do. He was one of a kind and he has left us with many fond memories. Hugh is survived by his son Jamie and daughter Jennifer (Jenny), 3 nieces Lauri, Liana, and Marni, numerous great nieces and nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his loving sister Marni Barker Sikler. No service is planned at Hugh's request.

Chatt Donald

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DON CHATT September 4, 1928 - October 14, 2020

Captain Donald Chatt, after a lengthy career as a Marine Pilot on the B.C. Coast, guided his own final voyage with his three daughters at his side.
Don started his Mariner career, part-time at the age of 15, in Ocean Falls. He acquired his Captain's Ticket at age 24, becoming a Marine Pilot in 1974. He loved every day on the water.
Greatly missed by daughters Diana, Carole (Keith), & Lisa (Bill), eight grandsons; Scott (Katja), Todd, Tyler (Sama), Ryan (Kelsey), Brent (Keesha), Kyle (Annalise), Shawn (Anna), and Adam (Jill). Great grandchildren; Virginia, Brayden, Lila, Alyssa, Boe, Riley and Cole. Also survived by brother Vic. Predeceased by his wife Virginia, parents Percy and Kit, sister Phyllis and granddaughters Claire and Barbara.
Many thanks to North Shore Hospice. A family gathering will be held at a later date to spread his ashes on Steamboat Rock. Bon Voyage Bubba.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to North Shore Hospice.

Published Vancouver Sun on October 16, 2020

Stangroom, Timothy Oxley

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STANGROOM, Captain Timothy Oxley
March 30, 1931 - June 23, 2020

Father, hunter, snowmobiler, fisherman, builder, fixer, outdoor enthusiast. Dad had an incredible sense of humour. Born in Winnipeg to a mother who grew up in the Yukon and an NWMP officer, he was a hard-working, wild-child non-conformist from the start and loved his adventures. He was the youngest ever (at 14) lifeguard at Locarno beach in Vancouver during wartime. He often told his teenage children not to do anything stupid because he did it all and some that we hadn't thought of yet. By 1956 he settled down a little bit with the love of his life, Beverley and in 1963, with family in tow, they moved to Kitimat where he managed Rivtow Marine. They lived there until retirement when they moved to Kamloops and eventually, Langley, B.C. Dad was still happiest in the wilderness in the North so he and Mom spent most summers at a cabin they built on the Dease River in Northern B.C. Dad was predeceased by our mother, Beverley and his grandson, Rhys. He leaves behind his best friend and son, Steve, and daughters, Ginny and Candace (Tom). Also his former daughter-in-law, Penny. Grandchildren Misty (Micah), Sherine, Stacie (Dan), Sierra (Gerald), Conal, Shianne, Alex and Stuart. Great- grandchildren Lochlan, Kiyoko, Piper, Kristian, Kyrie, Gunnar, Silja, and Myles. Glad he is free to have more adventures and roam...

Carolsella FrankAngelo

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Capt. Frank Carosella. Frank spent most of his life on the water, starting with the Fisheries, moving onto the towboats, before working his way to become a River Pilot, guiding ships up & down the Fraser River, a job that he enjoyed.
Frank was predeceased by his wife Sheila of 60 years, and is survived by his children, Mark (Teresa), Gary (Joan), Dean (Evi) and Angela and grandchildren, Travis, Katie (Clayton), Colton (Lauren), Nick, Hayden, Elizabeth, Shawn, Francesca and Giovana, great-grandchildren Emery & Ella, sister Phylis (Eric), brother Chuck (Bardy).
Frank was born in Duncan, BC, before moving to Sooke as a young boy. It was there that he met and started his life long relationship with Sheila. Dad you will be greatly missed.

Published on August 7, 2020

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