As we look ahead to the start of the new year, it's important to look back at the amazing Prince George residents who passed away 2018. May their example continue to inspire us to make our community better.
Victor Bowman, 79, was a longtime member of the Prince George Rotary where he took on several roles including president and past president, while he was a member of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, past chair and board member of the Prince George Construction Association, the Northern BC Construction Association and director of the BC Construction Association.
Svend Serup, 93, who worked in the forest industry most of his life, might best be remembered for his letters to the Prince George Citizen editor. Topics he discussed included forestry, from actions taken and not taken by the Ministry of Forests, the beetle kill that Serup called a disaster, the prospect of diking the Nechako River to prevent flooding, highly volatile issues such as Greg Matters' death by police, the Site C dam project, and most recently about reconciliation efforts made toward First Nations people. Serup's letters to the editor will be missed.
Julia Serup, 86, died a few months after her husband Svend and was a longtime physiotherapist in Prince George. She was a pioneer in advancing inclusive education for children with disabilities and often wrote letters to the editor as she had an avid interest in local, provincial and national affairs.
Barry Phillips, 82, moved to Prince George with his family in 1967 and opened his first business, Wendt and Phillips Men's Wear. A family ski cabin at Purden Mountain offered a place for family and friends to gather, creating cherished memories. Once his three children were out of school Phillips and wife Yvonne moved to Victoria to enjoy their life. Unfortunately, Yvonne died in 2011 and soon after Barry was stricken with Parkinson's disease.
Brian Brownridge, 68, who moved to Prince George in the 1950s and served many terms on city council, was part of the lumber industry and real estate development, and probably is best remembered for establishing his insurance company in 1990. Community was very important to Brownridge and many will remember his storytelling and sense of humour.
Chief Harry Chingee, 95, was a gentle and loving patriarch of his extensive family. He was strong in his teachings and the community will miss his kindness and warmth.
Chingee spent decades as an elected councilor for the McLeod Lake First Nation, most of that time as chief.
Chingee, who worked in the logging industry, was also a professional hunting guide, using his intimate knowledge of the land plus the lessons passed down to him from his elder generations.
June Clark, 57, was John Rustad's campaign manager for many years and was a former board member for the College of New Caledonia. Clark did a lot of work for advanced education and advocated for a college in her hometown of Vanderhoof.
Clark was involved with many different organizations over the years, including community and economic development manager for the provincial government in northern B.C as well as director for Northern Health's information and technology services.
Clark volunteered at her church and Ducks Unlimited and sat on many boards including the Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce, University Resources Inc. and the Good Neighbours committee. Clark made a big impact in her community and she will be missed.
Wilf Peckham, 94, was a decorated veteran and retired from The Prince George Citizen as a pressman, having created his own slide to retirement where he reduced his work days from five to four so he and his beloved wife, Mae, could better enjoy the great outdoors, fishing, curling and dancing. Peckham was known for his kindness, spark of humour and his willingness to mentor those around him.
Dr. Eldon Lee, 95, was the first and only ob/gyn north of Kamloops for many years beginning in 1962. Recognizing his contributions to the medical community, he was honoured as a lifetime member of the Canadian Medical Association in 1995 and inducted into the Northern Medical Hall of Fame in 2009. In 1952, Eldon married the love of his life, Marjorie Cartmel and started a journey of adventure with her that included international travel and family time at their local cottage. Lee was a cowboy rancher, RCAF bomber pilot during the Second World War, hunter, author, Greek scholar, and Sunday school teacher. He enjoyed a variety of sports including hockey in the 60s and 70s. Lee turned to more thrill-seeking adventures when he was older including flying an ultralight plane and riding an ATV.
Eric Chamberlist, 71, is remembered as genuinely decent, well liked and was known for his deep sense of fairness. Chamberlist retired as a B.C. Supreme Court Justice in 2010. The cases he handled covered a wide spectrum including both the criminal and civil sides - from murders and sexual assaults to bankruptcies and personal injury. Chamberlist was known to have a great analytical mind and was a great mentor.
Neil Fowlie, 69, was a devoted hockey volunteer as founding director and president of the Prince George Recreational Hockey League that began in the 70s. An accountant by trade, Fowlie used his skills to help organize the league. Fowlie volunteered for service clubs as well including Gyro Club of Prince George and the Yellowhead Rotary Club, and for a time he was commissioner with the Prince George Parks and Recreation Department. Fowlie served on the Aquatic Centre building committee as well as working with the Prince George Golf and Curling Club when it came to sorting out the land swap between the club and the Pine Centre Mall and then assisted when city land became the Rotary Soccer Fields. He was an extraordinary member of the community.
Harvey Clark, 76, was s Fraser-Fort George Regional District director for more than 30 years for Chilako River-Nechako (Area C). Clark, who was a longtime dog sledder, was president of the Miworth Community Association and volunteered at the Elder Citizen Recreation Association and the Northern Friends of Children, which is a charity devoted to assisting families in northern B.C. who have children with an extraordinary medical needs.
Malcolm 'Relic' Poburan, 69, was with the Prince George Spruce Kings for almost 40 years as the assistant equipment manager and equipment manager and also volunteered with the Spruce City's Men's Fastball league. He enjoyed gardening and classic cars that he'd talk to anyone about, especially at the show and shine events held at the park. Poburan was a staunch supporter of sports and could often be seen at the rinks in the community.
Tom Dielissen, 68, was a forester who worked with B.C. Lands and volunteered in Prince George for more than 40 years. Dielissen was recognized with the 2016 BC Community Achievement award and in the same year was awarded the Governor General's Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in recognition of his significant contributions to the community. He was a member of the Prince George Airport Authority's board, the chair of the Prince George Public Library's board, chair of the McGregor Model Forest Community Committee, chair of the City of Prince George Winter City Committee, director of Prince George St. John's Ambulance Society, volunteer with Theatre Northwest, and perhaps was best known as a devoted volunteer with The Exploration Place for 25 years and most of those as chair of the board.
