Bernard Horth, grandson of North Saanich pioneer settler, Rufus Philip Horth, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 years on August 5, 2024, at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital in Sidney, BC.
He was Born November 24th, 1928 at Resthaven Hospital and grew up in Deep Cove, where his passion for fishing began as a fishing guide at Holder’s boathouse. During his early years, he worked as a logger all over Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands.
After completing his economics degree at UBC, he married Rosemarie (née Schneider) and embarked on an exciting and travel-filled career as a Canadian foreign trade commissioner. He and his wife travelled extensively with postings in Holland, India and Switzerland. Bernard and Rosemarie had four children, three of whom were born overseas.
He never lost his passion for fishing and eventually left his civil service career to return to the Canadian West coast and become a commercial fisherman.
Years later, Bernard started a new life in Edmonton with his second wife, Olee (née Selevich) and her family. They took up the art of Latin dancing and he became an active member of the local lapidary club.
Bernie returned to Sidney in his mid-eighties where he spent his final years reconnecting with his past and building new relationships with kind and nurturing neighbours.
Bernie was fond of music and poetry and loved to recite everything from Byron and Keats to Shelley and Robert Service. He was also passionate about sports including hockey, golf, and baseball, but especially his Blue Jays.
Bernard is predeceased by his second wife Olee, his mother, Victoria Vernon (née Weddell) , his father, Rufus (Dick) Philip and his Brothers Richard Alwyn and Edwin Vernon. He is survived by his first wife, Rosemarie Gibbons, and his 4 children, Richard(Tania), Brenda, Daniel(Anita), Alisa(Tony) and 6 grandchildren, Alexis, Celia, Tessa, Amy, Kaya and David.
Bernard’s children would like to thank his kind neighbours and friends for the support and friendship they provided to him over the last years of his life.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1319 Mills Road, North Saanich) on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 11:00 am. Family, friends and invited guests will gather in the adjacent hall for a Celebration of Bernard’s Life. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served.