In spite of compassionate and excellent medical care by the Royal Jubilee Hospital and Victoria Cancer Agency, Chris died quietly on June 27, 2023. Chris was born on March 10, 1946 in Gravesend, Kent, UK to Frederick John Eve and Beryl Gibby, both now deceased.
Chris is survived by his wife, Penny, several friends and cousins in the UK, and France, as well as many friends in Victoria. Through his passion for correspondence chess he made many friends around the world also.
Affectionately dubbed “The Boss” by his best friend Rosemary, he spent his life striving for social justice, ably spearheading many campaigns. As a librarian in the UK he headed up the Architects’ Library for the Greater London Council. He was also a Labour Councillor in London. In BC he was highly active with the NDP as a volunteer and was employed for 21 years as a research officer for the BC NDP Caucus.
His strong spirituality called him to volunteer in the Anglican Church, including 30 years of refugee work.
Chris’ funeral will be held at the St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 1611 Quadra Street, Victoria, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow.
https://bc-anglican-ca.zoom.
Or livestream through the St. John the Divine Website:
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Philip Harris
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Bill and Donna Sassaman Dear Penny,
It was a such a shock to learn about Chris. We have always appreciated the years of friendship that we shared with you both and have missed you for years.
We’re holding you in Light and love and hoping that your many years of memories will comfort you through this very difficult time.
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Robert Holloway Condolences to Penny and families from Elizabeth and I
We knew Chris and Penny though St Philip Church, Oak Bay. I can still see him as he came down the aisle in his white choir robe at the end of the service singing lustfully to the Lord with his bushy white beard. In fact we could all hear him 🙂 It was always fun and informative to chat with him.
We even shared the same birth month and birth country. Politics we agreed to disagree in love.Robert & Elizabeth Holloway
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David Bird It was a great pleasure to know Chris while we shared our time at St. Philip Church. Beyond our common bond within The Anglican Communion we were also cut from the same cloth, Brit. humour, especially that of the 60’s and 70’s….thanks lad, it was a slice….condolences Penny he will be missed…David (and Yvette) Bird
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Faith Rolfe Dear Penny,
I was so sad to hear of the death of Chris. David considered you both good friends and if he were still with us he would be sharing my condolences. Chris was a wonderful encourager and I am sure he will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with you at this challenging time.
May you be comforted as you mourn his loss.
Faith
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Gail Gotto I worked with Chris and his wife Penny for 14 1/2 years at the Legislative Buildings. Chris was a wealth of knowledge and such a kind and compassionate man. I was so sorry to read this and send condolences to Penny and his family and friends.
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Anne Preyde Although it has been decades since we worked together, I remember well that Chris was a skilled and patient mentor, a compassionate and principled person, but also a man of wit and good humour. My sincere sympathies to Penny, his cousins and dearest friends.
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Stephen Davies I met Chris via online chess almost 20 years ago and we quickly established a friendship which went to interests and issues far beyond the game. He enthusiastically helped me with research when I was writing a biography of a chess master yet was gobsmacked when I dedicated the work to him. I will greatly miss him. Deep condolences to Penny.
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Sandra Ward Can only add hands across the water prayers across the sea. Love by the bucket load.
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David Page I only met Chris online, but his generosity of spirit in mentoring my chess indicated that he was something special. My heartfelt condolences to Penny and his family. ‘The Undertaker’ on Chessworld.
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Dave Szollosy I have so many fond memories of time spent with Chris: our weekend-long games of Civilization, punctuated by periods of bottling home brew, our shared appreciation of food, and our many hours of political discussions and seeking solutions to local and global injustices. His good humour, his hospitality and his friendship will be greatly missed.
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Carmela Allevato and Jim Quail We first met Chris in the 1975 volunteering in Rosemary Brown and Norm Levi NDP campaign in the then dual member riding of Vancouver Burrard. We will always remember his quick wit, exhuberance and productive commitment to social justice and to the working class. Condolences to his family. Rest in power dear friend,
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Martin olando My heart felt condolences.
Hi PENNY . AN AVID CHESS PLAYER LIKE CHRIS I KNEW HIM WHEN HE WAS ACTIVE PLAYING IN VICTORIA, AND ON LINE ON CHESS WORLD, I COULD NEVER BEAT HIM! I JUST HEARD FROM PAUL LEBLANC OF HIS PASSING, A FELLOW ENGLISH MAN ALSO FROM KENT I FOUND CHRIS TO BE A MOST AMIABLE HUMAN BEING. I KNOW ITS BEEN A LITTLE WHILE, AND I NOTICED HE WAS NOT ON CHESS ON LINE. I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO YOU. PHILIP HARRIS