1920 – 2013
Chester Mauch Preston passed away peacefully on December 5th at the age of 93. Chet is survived by three sons, Rick, Doug (Jo-Anne) and Bruce (Arlene) and nephew, Dan Barcello (Diane). He will also be missed by his five grandchildren, Geoffrey (Becca), Stephen (Anna), Michelle (Chris), Chris and Nick; grand-nephews, Colton and Grayson and great-grandson, Mason. Chet was especially grateful for the care and support provided by his best friend, Rachel Jenkins.
Chet was born into a farming family in Lacombe, Alberta. After losing the farm in the depression, Chet went on to many careers, training as a male nurse, driving taxi and eventually becoming a machinist and welder. Chet worked at the Victoria Machinery Depot for 30 years and was proud of the part he played in constructing cruise ships, ferries, destroyers and even oil rigs. Chet also took his talents into serving others – in 1975 he was part of a mission in Malawi that created ambucycles, used in East Africa to transport the sick in areas that had few roads.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Chet supported the Victoria Fish and Game Club for over 60 years. Many will also remember Chet as a collector, buyer and seller; he was off to garage sales and swap-and-shops well into his 80’s.
Visitation will be at McCall’s Downtown, on Monday, December 16th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, December 17th at 11:00 am at McCall’s Downtown, Johnson & Vancouver Streets with a reception in McCall’s Family Centre. Interment to follow at Royal Oak Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cridge Centre for the Family (www.cridge.org). Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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