Cecil Edwin John Gould

Cecil Edwin John Gould
(M.A., University of Victoria)

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Cecil Edwin John Gould, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, at the age of 94 in Victoria, BC. Cecil was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Sheila Mary Gould (nee Beckwith) in 2016 and his siblings Kathleen, Evelyn, Nesta and Arthur and nephews Stephen Powell (Victoria), Terry, Clarke and Douglas Gould (Edmonton).

Born in Calgary to Cecil Edwin Gould and Edith Emily Gould (nee Hill), Cecil was second youngest of five. He was educated in schools in Oak Bay and served as a cadet in the Canadian army reserve during World War II.

He is survived by his first wife, Elisabeth Bosher (formerly Gould), and remembered by family: Malcolm Gould (Gerri Richman), Stephanie Gould (Bruce Kirkley), Pamela Taylor (Ron), Ian Gould (Lilia Cordosa- Gould), Adrienne Gould (Trevor Hardie), twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild. He also leaves behind extended family including his nephews Jim Powell (Vaurnine), Ron Buckler (Norrie), Bruce Buckler (Beau), John Adams (Diana), Lorne Adams (Nola) and Robert Gould (Kristina).

In 1954, he and Elisabeth Bosher of Sidney, BC, were married and settled in Victoria. Cecil took teacher training at Victoria College. He was soon a teacher at Metchosin Elementary school, where he subsequently served as principal for many years before moving to John Stubbs. As principal, and with young children at home, he continued to study, taking courses at summer school to obtain his master’s degree in Geography at UVic and completing a thesis on wartime housing.

In the mid-70s, Cecil’s life changed. He divorced and moved to a new home in Gordon Head where he lived until his death. During this time, he married Sheila, and built a cottage on Piers Island, where they became long-time members of the island community.

In the decades to follow, he taught pre-service teachers at UVic, served on a Board of Variance and in 1997 was appointed to the Capital Region Health Board by then Minister of Health, Joy MacPhail, where he served for about 5 years.

Throughout his life, he loved music and the performing arts, often travelling with Sheila to see performances in Toronto and Vancouver. Together, in retirement, they also saw many parts of Canada, the United States, Europe, China and Russia.

Cecil had a remarkable memory for the people and history of Victoria. In his most senior years, he enjoyed recounting stories of the city and other parts of Vancouver Island.

Cecil will be missed by many, including family, lifelong friends and neighbours. A service will be held at 10 am November 7, 2025, followed by a reception in the Sequoia Center at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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