Obituary for Victor Alexander Bird
Victor Alexander Bird passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on November 21, 2020, in Coquitlam, BC. Born on June 9, 1924, in St. Catherines, ON to Ruby and Walter Bird. He was the widower of Isabelle Emma Bird, with whom he shared 45 years together.
At 19 years old, he served his country as a flying Officer during World War II. He flew the Catalina PBY Seaplane Bomber. He was on anti-submarine duties, as well as an escort of fighter pilots, and rescue missions. As a pilot, he especially loved flying over the water and would say that one of the reasons was because he had "all the runway he wanted." These experiences fulfilled his boyhood love of boats, airplanes, and flying.
Following his service in the Royal Canadian Airforce, he attended Western University. Vic worked in finances for 37 years and then retired to enjoy his many hobbies. He would often be found talking on his ham radio, working on his remote-control airplanes, or reading late into the night. He taught and instilled the love of these hobbies in his children and grandchildren especially during family reunions held at Shuswap Lake, BC.
Vic was an active member of his church where he was able to use his love of music to serve as a choir director and chorister for 40 + years. Even in his older years, he continued this love when he joined a local band of seniors who played jazz music. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica, or as he called it his "mouth organ". He would perform after dinner at his care home.
Vic was a treasured father and grandfather and was loved dearly by his family. He is survived by his dear daughter, Valerie (Dave) Bryant, 14 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his dear wife Isabelle, and his two sons, Greg, and Paul Bird.
He will be remembered for his appreciation of hard work, good manners, keen wit, and enjoying life to the fullest. He was a very capable, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, and generous man who will be greatly missed. His influence will forever remain with his beloved family.
Vic's family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and especially the caregivers of Foyer Maillard in Coquitlam, BC for the wonderful help and care given to him there for the past 4 years.
He always tried to impart his wisdom, he said, “Be happy. Death is only part of living.”
At 19 years old, he served his country as a flying Officer during World War II. He flew the Catalina PBY Seaplane Bomber. He was on anti-submarine duties, as well as an escort of fighter pilots, and rescue missions. As a pilot, he especially loved flying over the water and would say that one of the reasons was because he had "all the runway he wanted." These experiences fulfilled his boyhood love of boats, airplanes, and flying.
Following his service in the Royal Canadian Airforce, he attended Western University. Vic worked in finances for 37 years and then retired to enjoy his many hobbies. He would often be found talking on his ham radio, working on his remote-control airplanes, or reading late into the night. He taught and instilled the love of these hobbies in his children and grandchildren especially during family reunions held at Shuswap Lake, BC.
Vic was an active member of his church where he was able to use his love of music to serve as a choir director and chorister for 40 + years. Even in his older years, he continued this love when he joined a local band of seniors who played jazz music. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica, or as he called it his "mouth organ". He would perform after dinner at his care home.
Vic was a treasured father and grandfather and was loved dearly by his family. He is survived by his dear daughter, Valerie (Dave) Bryant, 14 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his dear wife Isabelle, and his two sons, Greg, and Paul Bird.
He will be remembered for his appreciation of hard work, good manners, keen wit, and enjoying life to the fullest. He was a very capable, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, and generous man who will be greatly missed. His influence will forever remain with his beloved family.
Vic's family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and especially the caregivers of Foyer Maillard in Coquitlam, BC for the wonderful help and care given to him there for the past 4 years.
He always tried to impart his wisdom, he said, “Be happy. Death is only part of living.”