“You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I will always love you. That’s where I will be waiting.” – Peter Pan
It is with a profound and absolute sadness that we announce Evan’s unexpected passing. Evan leaves behind his devoted mother, Liz Board; grandmother, Betty Board and father, Rick Vanderham. Also grieving his loss is a large extended family including Board’s, Pearmain’s and Vanderhams, as well as friends from all over the world.
Though Evan’s time with us here was cut far too short, he was able to touch so many lives. He will be remembered as an easy and loyal friend, a constant jokester, an animal lover, a chocolate milk enthusiast, a wanderer with a passion for travel and above all else a young man who loved his friends and family, especially his Mum and Grandma.
Evan’s family would like to sincerely thank the First Responders, Griff Jones, the Paramedics, as well as the Doctor’s and Nurses at the Royal Jubilee Trauma and Intensive Care Units, for their unfailing care and support through this terrible time.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 2:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC V8Y 1B4. Anyone who loved Evan and wishes to say goodbye will be welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Jubilee Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Evan’s name.
Hug and Hold your family close.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
28 Responses
Liz, we are so sorry to hear about Evan. We only knew him as a nice young boy who lived in our neighbourhood and was hired to water our plants when we were away. From the previous comments he turned out to be a fine young man which you must be proud of. Sending our love to you and your family. Dora and Brian Muir
My dear friend Liz
My deepest sympathy and warm love on the loss of precious Evan. I regret that I was out of town for the service but want you to know that from my remote location I was with you in spirit.
We met as single Mom’s raising boys (Evan and Chad and Cole Barnett) to become good men. We maneuvered though some tough parenting times but always knew we had the support of each other and a motto of “this too shall pass” which I firmly believe not only kept us sane but aided the boys through their teen journey. It wasn’t all tough – we had loads of fun times together – like summers camping at Cowichan Lake … the time when Evan and Cole took the Zodiac out on the lake and ran out of gas and how we couldn’t quit hugging and kissing them when they appeared, rescued by a passing boater!
As a man I appreciated Evan’s precocious spirit and fun loving personality. Evan could always make be laugh! His sense of humour, sharp and contagious. I was impressed by Evan’s avid love of reading – he read well beyond his years. We had many conversations about Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett) a novel we both agreed was an outstanding novel containing life messages. Evan was a kind and loving person, I remember the transport of the puppy in his truck, all the way from Saskatchewan to give to you in an attempt to fill the gap that Buster left behind. Evan was industrious and took on challenges – like offering to construct my interlock patio a few years ago. He had worked for Brick-Lok on the crew who completed the brick work around the Butchart Gardens Carousel and was confident he could take on the job. He worked tirelessly to complete this multi-phase job, bringing in others when needed assistance. My brother Russ came in at the final phase and he commented that Evan was tenacious and what he lacked in experience he excelled in will and determination.
What I will remember and admire most about Evan was the love and devotion he showed to you and his Gramma Betty. You two women were the “loves” of his life. Both of you are the primary reason that Evan became that good man. My heart aches for both of you.
My love always, Delayne.
Liz and family, we our so very sorry for your loss. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family and this extremely sad time.
Lori, Britney and Jason (Alford)
Erik, Liam and I want to extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. I can’t even begin to fathom the space that the loss of a child can leave in your heart, and I hope that the happy memories of your time with Evan will slowly begin to fill that void. I trust you are surrounded by the love and kindness of friends and family, but please know that we also have you in our thoughts.
Dearest old childhood pal, Liz. My heart aches for you during this loss of your son, Evan. As another parent, I can only imagine what you’re going through. I haven’t seen you in years and I have never met Evan -but despite that, I feel close to this and I feel like giving you a huge hug of comfort. Grant will have to do that for me. I lost two sibling’s in the last few years quite tragically and I know from experience that today’s service will be something to cherish and ponder over, again and again, as family and friends bring forth all of Evan’s beauty and strength for you to hold on to.
Love, your old Hollyburner and HollyBurn neighbour and pal, Reinier
Dear Liz,
My heart aches for you and your family for your tragic loss. Although I didn’t know Evan, I do know that your love for him was unparalleled. As work colleagues, you mentioned him frequently and I got a sense of how close you were to him. Your loss is unimaginable. I wish you courage, strength and serenity in the days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of need.
Sylvia and Sharon Simpson,to Liz our hearts go out to you, but your heart and Evans will always be as one. A soul that is truly good and kind will be with us forever.
Evan was my first guy friend as a young girl, I think we were 10 years old. We remained in contact over the past 15 years with intentions to meet again one day. He most recently sent me a photograph to remind me of my “creative” hair and makeup phase. We laughed at my unflattering choices. We did not speak often or frequently but Evan had a great influence on my life at an impressionable time. I will always cherish and love the memories. He came to Hornby Island with me on a family holiday and while inside of an inner tube he was nearly sucked out to sea on the outgoing tide. He screamed like a girl, I remeber telling him and laughing. We then ate ice cream on the beach and he later saved my dog Oscar by doing the army crawl in a small space to get him out from under the house. I also remember singing the song “Evans mom she’s got it going on” with him, before he introduced me to you Liz he was saying “You will like my mom.” And I do, always have. I hope you and all of his loved ones have all the support, comfort and love needed during this time. Love always, Chelsea