Laurence Charles Webb

“A Proper Champion”

Larry was the only son of Charles and Olive Webb, a Saanich pioneer family. His grandparents arrived in Canada in May of 1889 along with their ten children via the SS Lake Winnipeg. Like his father, he was born in Victoria and lived his entire life within six blocks of his childhood Saanich home. As a boy, he would often stop on his way to McKenzie School, set a line in Swan Creek and pick up a trout on the way home.  He proudly served with the 6th Anti-tank Regiment RCA where he was known as “Chick Webb”, possibly an obscure reference to some ‘liberated hens eggs’. He thought highly of the men he served with and had many stories of his exploits overseas.

Returning home, he met the first love of his life, Florence, at a BC Tel dance. He knew from the beginning that “she was the one”. They married in 1949 and moved into the house he designed and built on Cadillac Avenue. Dad and Mom had three children, Stephen, David and Lorraine and over the years, they enjoyed many wonderful vacations exploring the island and the province with his wartime buddies and their families. His loves were his family, his garden and his dogs. Dad spent many fulfilling years working for BC Tel, ending with the Pre-wire department where he made sure that his apprentices all received “the propertution”. At the age of 59, just days before his early retirement in 1981, Florrie became ill, and sadly passed away in the spring of 1982.  BC Tel then offered Dad his old job back which he graciously declined.

A few years later, while picking up his new glasses, Dad saw the second most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, Elsie Nicoll. They had so much in common – love of family, gardening, traveling and the outdoors. They were married shortly after and we were blessed to have the Nicoll family come into our lives. Unfortunately, Elsie also passed away, far too soon, in 1996. Dad continued to travel with his family, revisiting many of the places where he fought during the war and reconnecting with the Dutch families he met in the 1940’s.

Volunteering was a big part of his life even into his later years, both at the Compassionate Resource Warehouse and SHARPS. He enjoyed his church and the people he met there. Dad was a very independent man, continuing to live on his own until shortly after his 94th birthday. He never let a little mobility issue affect his gardening, even to the extent of trimming his hedges from his scooter! He enjoyed the passersby that stopped, concerned to see him sitting on the ground beside his scooter. He hadn’t fallen, he was just weeding! Dad was always optimistic (“oh well”), cheerful, and continued to put a smile on people’s faces right up to the end. He had a knack for coming up with a poem, story or saying to fit just about any conversation.

He left a wonderful legacy and we’ll all miss him.

Dad was predeceased by his wives Florence (nee Bennett) in 1982, Elsie Nicoll in 1996 and his daughter Lorraine (Chris Hemeon) in 2012. Survived by his son Stephen (Susan) and his children – Michael (Amanda), Anndrea, Elizabeth (Chris Broughton), Amie (Neal Fessey) and Matthew; his son David (Deborah) and his children – Jared (Beth) and Luke (Krystina); Lorraine’s children -Jake (Nikita) and Jade. Elsie’s sons, Dennis (Catherine): children – Sam, Allison and Ben; Martin (Rose); Matthew (Jean): children- Georgina (Paulo Garces), Stephanie (Eric Sprenger) and Alex; and David. Dad also had fifteen great grandchildren and was always happy whenever he had the opportunity for a visit.

Special thanks to granddaughter, Georgina, for her singing and guitar playing at the hospital and to the staff of 4 South VGH for their care and compassion.

Dad supported just about everything, so in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

A Memorial service will be held on Monday, June 6, 1:00pm at the Victoria First Church of the Nazarene, 4277 Quadra Street.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com