Julian lived a full life, with joy in his family, satisfaction with his work, and enthusiasm for his outdoor pursuits and creative interests.
Julian Michael Henry Coward passed away peacefully, with family by his side. Loved and sadly missed by his wife Mary, sons Andrew and Michael, daughter-in-law Joan Marie, grandsons Matthew, Andrew and Patrick, his sister Tessa Kirby in England, and many relatives and friends.
Julian was born in England. He studied electrical engineering at the University College London. In 1966, he met Mary who was on an exchange year from University of Toronto. In 1968, he followed her to Canada – and also to do a Ph.D. in hydrogeology at McMaster University in Hamilton. They married in 1969 and for their “honeymoon”, drove with eight friends from England to Nepal on a caving expedition.
Julian’s first job was in Toronto with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. In 1976, the family moved to Edmonton where Julian worked for Syncrude for almost 30 years in the Research Department. Life in Edmonton was rich with family, community, and work. Julian enjoyed outdoor activities – skiing, hiking, and camping. Also, indoor pursuits – woodworking, science projects, and acting as an “extra” in the Edmonton opera.
Caving, or spelunking, was a passion from his university days. He explored the caves in England and Europe, went on expeditions to Nepal, Peru, and Mexico, and expanded caving knowledge through research, mapping and “speleo electronics”.
Travel was also an ongoing enthusiasm. He hitchhiked through Norway as a teenager, travelled with Mary as a student to Nepal, South and Central America, made many trips with his young family to visit grandparents in England and Toronto, and finally, in retirement, enjoyed tours and cruises with friends.
He took great pleasure from his children, and now with his grandchildren, passing on his engineering talents and love of “making things” as well as his outdoor pursuits and travel.
In 2005, Julian retired to Victoria, where he and Mary enjoyed an active retirement. They loved their house on the Gorge, enjoyed hiking and bridge with friends. Julian bought a small wooden steamboat named “Hotspur” to putter up and down the Gorge. He volunteered at Heritage Acres and enjoyed the Victoria Symphony. And he found time to write a history of himself and his family.
Despite coping with Alzheimer’s for 10 years, and melanoma for the past two years, Julian always found the best in life. He always expressed his gratitude for his full and satisfying life of family, work, travel, and interests. He faced his challenges with patience, humour and gentleness.
The family would like to thank the Alzheimer’s Society of BC, the Day Programs at Sunset Lodge and Elk Lake, and HandyDart. Also, thanks to the BC Cancer Agency. And special thanks to those at Douglas Care, who cared for Julian, and our family, through his final months.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at McCall Gardens Sequoia Centre, 4665 Falaise Drive at 2 pm with a reception to follow.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
36 Responses
We are so sorry to learn of Julian’s passing. We both worked with Julian on various projects through out the years. He lead a more amazing life than many people know. Our sincere condolences to his family.
Love, Ken and Lonnie
Dear Mary and family,
I send my sympathies from Guatemala.
Many blessings, Bob Graham
Mary, I was truly saddened to get the news of Julian’s passing. I remember fondly our kids playing together at the little Idylwylde park, playing cards together and touring your wonderful gardens in Grandview and in Victoria and always admiring Julian’s handiwork. I know that during this difficult time Michael and Andrew will be such a help and wonderful memories, as well as your grandchildren, will be a comfort! Take care of yourself, Mary.
Love, Robin
Mary and family
Thinking of you. We share fond memories of Julian. He was a very sweet man and will be missed . Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Jan and Rick
We have had the pleasure of living beside Mary and Julian for more than 17 years. We benefitted greatly by having Julian next door. He built a ladder for our dock, helped in our garden, and welcomed the addition of our chickens and ducks. Julian was always a bright light of positivity. His warmth and fun nature were contagious. Our hearts and love go to Mary and all of the family at this time. Some people just make the world a better place for having lived in it. Julian is one of those souls who did just that. He will be dearly missed by us.
My condolences to you and your family, Mary. My thoughts are with you, and have been since hearing of Julian’s recently declining health. It was such a pleasure to spend time and work with you both in the recent Rotary garage sale. Julian was such a sweet, polite man and you were such a caring, kind-hearted and patient spouse. The love between you was very clear. I’m so sorry for your loss. Branwyn Kew – Harbourside Rotary Club
Mary, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Julian was truly one of a kind and I would often see the two of you walking together deep in conversation. I know he will be missed by all of his friends and family and I wish you strength and comfort in your grief.
With love
Gillian
My deepest sympathies to the Coward family.
Dear Mary and family,
We are saddened by your loss yet heartened by the legacy of memories and accomplishments Julien gifted, to to his family, friends and the world around him, from a life well lived.
Mary and Family:
Our condolences in this difficult time. Out thoughts are with you.
Keith and Susanne