It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Evan Muir Oakley, surrounded by his loving family, on June 24, 2025. The eldest child of Everett and Anne Oakley, Evan was predeceased by his dear sister June McLean (Blair) in 2017 and his brother- in-law William Tupper in 2022. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 70 years, Yvonne, sons Mark (Laurie), Scott, daughter Michelle (Charles), brother Lorne (Diane), cherished grand-daughters Kathryn, Stephanie, and Sloane and his many nieces and nephews.
Evan was born in Vancouver but grew up on the Malahat where his father was in the logging business. He attended grades one to six at the one room Malahat Station School and completed grades seven and eight at Langford Elementary. When the lumber mill closed in 1943, his family moved to Victoria where he began his secondary education at Victoria High School. Upon graduation from Vic High, Evan attended Victoria College followed by a year at the Provincial Normal School where he obtained his teaching certificate. He began his teaching career at View Royal Elementary in Victoria in 1950 and continued his education through both night and summer school to finally graduate from the University of British Columbia in 1961 with a Bachelor of Education.
In 1954 while attending U.B.C. he met Yvonne Tupper. They were married in 1955 and Yvonne began her teaching career at Margaret Jenkins Elementary in Victoria. During 1957-58 he and Yvonne travelled to Europe where Evan spent a term teaching at a secondary school in London, England. Throughout his 36-year career Evan was a well- respected classroom teacher, vice-principal and principal of numerous schools in the Greater Victoria District, retiring as principal of Doncaster in 1986. During his early retirement years, he travelled the province as an accreditor of independent schools for the Ministry of Education. Evan enjoyed being an educator – always setting high standards for himself, his fellow teachers and students.
An avid sportsman, Evan played and coached a variety of sports. He was a member of the 1947 Vic High Totems basketball team and later played for the Victoria College Vikings. As he grew older and wiser, basketball and lacrosse gave way to golf, fishing and curling. A long-time member of the Victoria Curling Center, Evan curled in the men’s, senior men’s and mixed leagues with Yvonne as a teammate. In 1958, Evan joined the Uplands Golf Club where he remained a lifelong member. He served on the Board of Directors, organized teams for the annual “Horse Race” tournament and earned the nickname “Smoker” for his long drives down the fairway.
Evan was a true Victorian. He loved the Island and the city and volunteered for many local causes and charities. A member of the Oak Bay Optimists, he also campaigned door to door for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, worked with the Victoria Summer Games and in 1994 was Chairman of Accreditation for the Commonwealth Games.
Known for his excellent sense of humour, kindness and outgoing personality, Evan also had an amazing memory and was a wonderful storyteller (both fact and fiction!). Traveling with family, adventures abroad with Yvonne and time spent playing cards with relatives and friends brought many happy memories. He will be missed.
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Hiebert, Island Health Home Care Services and the staff at BC Cancer Clinic. We are especially grateful for the outstanding care and compassion shown to Evan and our family by the amazing team at Amica Jubilee House.
At Evan’s request, a family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
If you wish, donations may be made in Evan’s name to the annual Heart Tournament at Uplands Golf Club held yearly in July at 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria, B.C. V8R 5K5.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Oakley” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Sandra Laing
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Rick Mercer To Yvonne and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t remember a time when you Yvonne and Evan weren’t a huge and important part of my Mom and Dad’s life. Much love to you in this difficult time of great loss;
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Manny Pereira My sincere condolences to the entire Oakley family. My name is Manny Pereira, Mr Oakley was the principal at Burnside Elementary School when I came to Canada in 1963 and Mr Bill
Abbott was his Vice. Both were extremely helpful/kind to a poor Portuguese immigrant boy
like me and I am forever greatful for their patience on helping a boy who couldn’t speak a word of English. Sad but not forgotten that both have left us forever. A very sincere thank you to both men.
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Rita, Phil, Chris, Charlene Tupper It took me a long time to actually come up with the right words, and I still don’t think I have.
Whenever we saw Evan, he was always making us laugh, making us welcome, always had a smile on his face. Wish we had visited more, but I do have some wonderful memories.
You will be missed so much. So sorry for you loss.
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Ross and Helen Paterson Helen and I want you to know our thoughts are with you—our deepest condolences and best wishes to you. Ross and Helen
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david armit mr oakley was my grade 7 teacher at burnside school..mr oakley was highly respected as a man and an educator…..with deepest thoughts of admiration and sympathy….david armit
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Gail Sutherland Our deepest sympathy in the loss of a very special man. My Dad Elmer Curtis enjoyed many hours in Evan’s company at various golf events at Uplands in past years. Both my brother Greg and I went to school at Richmond elementary with him as our principal. Do you remember when he asked Dad to run an evening basketball league for the children of the school? Dad took the task so much to heart, trying to make it the best it could be, even including a concession to help raise funds. The Curtis family (Maxine, Greg, Gail and extended family) hope that the messages of condolences you receive will bring you peace at this difficult time.
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David Armstrong When I think of Evan, I do so with affection, a smile on my face, and a genuine appreciation for having known him.
I have fond memories of ruthless penny-a-point card games, golf, meaningful conversations, and yes, Malahat stories! Sending condolences to you all at this hard time. He will be with you always.
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Pat McNally-Dawes I am so sorry Yvonne you have lost your constant friend and companion. Please accept my deepest condolences to you and your family. Evan was a lovely man always welcoming and friendly. Thinking of you
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Susan and Merv Campbell Dear Oakley Family, it was with great distress that Susan I heard of Evan’s passing. Both Susan and I have many fond memories while I was working with Evan as both a teacher and Administrative Assistant. Evan always strived to do his best for students and staff.
When we lost our daughter Evan was there at the hospital holding our hands in comfort. We never have forgotten his kindness, empathy and advice.Yvonne, you were so fortunate to have such a well accomplished partner. He was a true gentleman.
Much love to you and your family. xoxo
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Sandy Cameron Hi, Yvonne, it’s Sandy Cameron from Curriculum at the School Board. I’m sorry to read about your husband. He sounds as if he was an amazing man. Of course, he was married to an amazing woman . I often think of that amazing turquoise car you had. I can’t remember what make it was – thought perhaps a Mustang.
I have such fond memories of working with you “by the door “ that year l was the “gopher”. I loved that job and it was such a great group of staff.
I send my sincerest condolences, Yvonne. Seventy years is a long time.
Please take care of yourself and fondest wishes for a continued long and happy life.
I just remembered, I still have that lovely little journal you gave me! Cheers, Sandy
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Greg O’Connor A true gentleman and a pleasure to work with.
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Kerri So sorry for you loss
Had Mr Oakley at Doncaster school
He was a great principal
He will be missed
Glad I did graduate and glad for all my teachers and principals
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Gil Henry Yvonne
I am thinking of you at this difficult time. Evan was a leader that I tried to emulate. An exceptional educator. I am sorry for your loss.
Gil H
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Lisa Lee To Mrs. Oakley and family,
Mr. Oakley was my principal at Richmond Elementary. I have fond memories of him. Around 40 years later, I saw him at Thrifty Foods. After I introduced myself, not only did he remember my name, he also remembered other families in my neighborhood and asked how they were. A kind and amazing man.
With deepest sympathy,
Lisa Lee
Our condolences, Yvonne, Mark, Scott, Michelle, and the rest of the Oakley family. A wonderful man has left this world, and I know you will miss him so much. He loved his family beyond everything else, and was always so proud of all of you.
We first met Evan in 1964, when I was assigned to a teaching job at Burnside School. I realized then what a superb principal he was, and of all the principals I had after him, none compared with him. He had a way of making you feel good about yourself, and acknowledged all of your accomplishments. With this, we all worked harder because of his encouragement.
I was lucky enough to work with him not only at Burnside School, but also at Richmond Elementary, where Evan was appointed to be the first principal of the brand new school. The staff there loved him as well.
When I returned to teaching after staying home raising our family, by a number of coincidences, I ended up at Doncaster School where Evan had just been appointed as the new Principal. Lucky me!
It was no wonder, that the School District often appointed Vice-Principals who were hoping to become Principals to work under him, as they knew that he was one of their finest, and would do a wonderful job in steering these Principals to be, in the right direction.
Jim and I have great memories of the Teachers’ Curling League that Evan encouraged us to join. What good times we had on those Fridays at the Victoria Curling Club. The year end banquets, and after parties were such fun, and Evan was always right in there, making sure everyone had a good time.
Those who knew Evan will of course remember the “Malahat Stories”. We all had so many laughs as he told us about riding his bicycle to school.
We feel so blessed to have had Evan as a friend, and colleague. He will be sorely missed by many!!
Much love to all of the Oakley family!
Sandra and Jim Laing