28 February 1910 – 2 March 2010
Born in Wandsworth, England in 1910. Passed peacefully in his sleep in Victoria on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 10:30 p.m.
Survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Edith and children Jim (Bev), Dianne (Wayne Butterfield), Roy (Jen), and Reg; 9 grandchildren, 10 and counting great grandchildren.
Geoff celebrated two magnificent milestones this year. His 65th wedding anniversary with Edith on January 12, 2010 and his 100th birthday on February 28, 2010.
Geoff immigrated to Canada at age 15 to work on a farm in Manitoba and spent several years working on the Prairies. Geoff arrived in Victoria, B.C. in the early 1930’s and engaged in a variety of entrepreneurial enterprises prior to establishing Stewart & Hudson, a retail building materials and supplies partnership with Ernie Hudson in 1939. In 1973, the business was sold and Geoff “retired” to developing and managing his real estate interests under the business name Chemainus Properties Ltd. 20 years later this company was renamed Quadra Pacific, a Canadian/Australian corporation. Geoff continued to be actively engaged in his businesses until his formal retirement on December 31, 2008 at the age of 98.
Over the decades of his life he enjoyed many trips to warm climates with family members and regularly wintered in Palm Springs, California for the last 33 years.
A life lived to the full. A job well done.
Memorial service to be held at Church of our Lord, 626 Blanshard Street, Victoria, B. C. at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The Reverend Rod Ellis officiating. (Limited parking around the church; parking in and around Embassy Inn and shuttle available from Embassy Inn to Church). Reception-Celebration at Embassy Inn, 520 Menzies Street, Victoria, B. C. at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday March 10, 2010. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice or charity of your choice.
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Hazel Birtwistle (nee Johnson)
Many memories of Mr. Stewart from my Dad’s diary. I have pictures taken at my Dad’s retirement held in Langford in 1973 with my parents sitting with Mr & Mrs Stewart and Mr & Mrs Hudson. I have written out my Dad’ s memories of working at Stewart and Hudson for 20 years.