Captain Bruce Alexander McDonald, born August 11, 1933, and passed away at age 88 on June 26, 2022, at Parksville, BC

Bruce was a retired Captain with Seaspan, Victoria Harbour.

Captain Robert Richard McKee, April 18, 1951 – April 4, 2022

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Robert (Rick) McKee, on April 04, 2022.
Rick was a strong, quiet man with an engaging sense of humour and he made friends wherever he went. A devoted family man, he was predeceased by his son Jared; his mother Clare; his father Robert (Bob); his grandparents Charles and Margaret McKee; Halvor and Rose Knutson and nephew Danny Riopel.
Left with treasured memories are his loving wife of 47 years, Lorraine; their sons D’Arcy (Kim), Connell (Janice); grandchildren Lincoln and Lennin; sister Cheryl (John) Musselwhite; nephew Bob (Mardell) Riopel; sister-in-law Beverly (Jack) Wiggins; niece Nicole (Ian) Gibbons; along with many close cousins, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

Rick grew up in the west end of Edmonton, where he met his future bride on a blind date, a match made by their sisters Cherie and Bev. Although they remained friends, Rick was pulled by the prospect of becoming a mariner when his high school counselor asked “have you ever thought of a career at sea?” The thought of leaving -32 degree temperatures of Alberta winters was so appealing that he joined NTCL in the NWT where he decked, until freeze up, on their supply boats on the Mackenzie River. Being able to spend winters in the Mexican sun was a bonus that placed his career counselor at the top of his list.  Later he served in the Canadian Coast Guard in the north and when an on-the-job eye injury had him flying back to Edmonton, he encountered Lorraine dispensing contact lenses, at the Optometrist Clinic. Happenstance or not, some things were just meant to be.

Upon arriving to the BC West Coast Rick worked to gain knowledge of local waters, with several tugboat companies including Seaspan International Ltd., while pursuing and receiving his Masters ticket. In the 80’s Rick made a lateral move that had him back to the Coast Guard at Vessel Traffic Services. The experience he gained as a part of coastal radar security and berthing deep sea ships in the Vancouver Harbour precipitated a return to Seaspan. For the next 28 years he enjoyed the challenges of marine dispatch in what he called a “three dimensional chess game.”

When not on the job Rick was involved with his sons in their sports activities. Whether travelling to BMX competitions around BC or in the USA, coaching ball hockey or making sure they were on the ice at 5AM, he was their biggest fan in all ways. He was particularly proud that both D’Arcy and Connell followed him into a career in the marine industry, where they gained their experience locally.

Alongside of his annual autumn hunting trips, Rick was passionate about motorcycling and owned a multitude of makes and models throughout his lifetime. They loved travelling in the U.S. and Western Canada, just the two of them. With Lorraine beside him or on the back, he also enjoyed weekends and day trips organized by the Langley Road Riders Motorcycle Club, of which they were members for 25 years.

A Celebration of Life is being held for Rick, on June 18, 2022 at Clayton Hills Golf & Banquet, 5640 – 188 St., Cloverdale, BC, between 1:00 and 4:00 PM, to express fond memories and remember his unique spirit.

A Special Thank You to his Doctors, Medical Team and especially the Nurses that cared for him in the Fraser Health Authority.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Diabetes and/or Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Ted Bryce 1969 – July 24, 2021

Ted Bryce, dearly beloved by his family and friends, passed away on July 24, 2021, near Avola, British Columbia. Known for his warmth, cheer, and loving heart, he was the proud father of two children, Colin and Sophia, and is survived by his wife, Denise.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta on August 26, 1969, to Gary and Marilyn Bryce, he was the youngest of four children, survived by Vaughn, Jamie, and Tracy, and grew up in Biggar, Saskatchewan and later throughout the Fraser Valley in B.C., where he graduated high school.  Cherished father, husband, brother, son, uncle, and friend, Ted was greatly loved and will be missed by his family, including his siblings, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and cousins, as well as the many friends he made over the years from Vancouver to Clearwater and beyond, including his shipmates from his long career with Seaspan.
Ted made a loving and lasting impression on this world. May he rest in peace.
In accordance with the desires of the family, there will soon be a small family service, followed by a public celebration of life at a later date.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ted Bryce 1969 –July 24, 2021

Derrick Georgeson of Lantzville, BC died peacefully at the age of 61.

Derrick is survived by his wife, Suzanne Turnbull; children, Savannah and Marcus; mother, Hilda Higgs; Sisters, Deanna, and Jodi (Bruce); niece, Sarah; nephews, Evan and Layne; stepmum, Earla; and dear stepsisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and other cherished relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Andrew Georgeson (2017); step father, Gerald Higgs (2004); and Grandmother, Katherine McNeil (2005).

Derrick was born in Nanaimo, BC. Always keen to build or figure out how things worked, the acreage he was raised on in Cedar and the surrounding woods were a perfect playland for him. He graduated from NDSS in 1978. He worked at the Chemainus sawmill for a few years before going to Camosun College and choosing Marine Engineering as his career. Joining the mariner tradition of his Gulf Island (Saturna/South Pender/Mayne) relatives. He started this life on the water in 1984 with Seaspan. Enjoying the comarderie of the various tugs’ crews, perks of the job such as whale watching, spectacular sunsets, along with the passion for ‘preventative maintenance’ and problem solving in a warm engine room. He and Suzanne married in Telkwa, BC on August 6th, 1993. They lived in Nanaimo and Lantzille with a special sabbatical to Cape Breton. Derrick was an ideal travel companion for their backpack and volunteer adventures in Canada and abroad. Always able to strike up a conversation with anyone, quickly finding ways to share a joke.

Derrick constructed many things over the years and had a vision for his role in self-sufficiency. Most notably were his projects on Saturna: extensive renos and re-design of his homes, forts, half pipe, water collection system and functional and bountiful landscaping. Derrick embraced community and quietly delighted in adding flavour to the rules of games played at the many gatherings at his home. Fun to Derrick encompassed many things: time with his children in silliness, rowing, water play or working alongside; hiking/snowshoeing - the steeper the better - or using his wheelbarrow.

A private Celebration of Life will be held. The family would like to thank the staff of the Vancouver and Nanaimo Cancer agency, NRGH ER and palliative/hospice care, Nanaimo Health Care Services and Home Support; as well as Sows Ear Medical clinic. And the surgical team of Dr. Gul at Lions Gate hospital. Your expertise, caring and positivity helped Derrick achieve living his life to the fullest in the last 3 years despite his brain cancer diagnosis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to the BC Cancer Agency, Cancer Research, Nanaimo Hospice, or the Nanaimo Palliative care unit.

STEWART -Robert Carlile, aged 84 years, passed away in Powell River on November 15, 2021. He is survived by his wife Michael, his daughter Meghan (William) and his son Cameron, and his grandchildren Osa, Raven, Kyra, Cedar, James, and Devon, who knew him as Bampa.

As a young man, Rob attended University Hill School. During his teenage years he worked as a Deckhand and Shipwrights Helper at Vancouver Tug and Vancouver Shipyards where he accumulated 18 months of sea time. Rob attended the University of British Columbia where he was in the Alpha Delta Pi Fraternity. He spent a term in Amsterdam, Holland working in the Marine Division of Export Research Department of Stork Werkspoor. inheriting his forefathers’ love for boats, he left UBC to become a Marine Superintendent/Barge Loader for Ideal Cement on Texada Island.

Rob worked as an Apprentice Shipbroker/Chartering Clerk for Tatham Bromage in England. He came away from this overseas experience with lifelong friends, scars from the rugby field (some of which cannot be discussed publicly), and many stories that captivated entire dinner tables. Returning to Canada, he began his work at Westward Shipping in Vancouver as a Ship’s Agent, Charting Agent and a Ship's Husband (SOBC Tanker Fleet) and then in Montreal he worked as a Manager of Marine Sales for Stork Werkspoor. Back in Vancouver, Rob worked his way through the ranks of Vancouver Tug and Seaspan International, ending his career as Vice President of Marine Operations at Seaspan.

Rob played rugby for UBC, The Vancouver Rowing Club and London Scottish. He continued to support rugby in Vancouver in retirement and was proud to see two of his grandsons playing for the Capilano Rugby Football Club.

Rob was a longtime member at the RVYC, where he raced boats big and small. Whether it was sailing Bung, taking trips with the Imperial Coal Harbour Yacht Squadron (ICHYS) or boating with his family on the John Antle, Burst or Sonsy, Rob was in his element on the water.

Rob valued his friends and family, near and far. He loved to discuss life and tugboats. Rob was always ready to pour a dram for company out on the porch or with his good friends at Boys’ Club. He kept in touch with distant friends and colleagues by phone, sharing his humour and life’s philosophies. He took pride in his grandchildren as they grew and found their own passions in sailing, music, art, writing, rugby, woodworking, and metal art.

Rob retired to Lang Bay, Powell River in 2001. He became active in the community, volunteering with the Powell River Economic Development Society, Powell River Community Futures, and Powell River Community Forest.

As posted on Facebook.com/Obituaries in Surrey, BC:  With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Edward John Goudy (76 years old).

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

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.