M.A. UVIC(1970) , B.Ed. UBC (1959)
Born July 4th, 1931 in Vancouver, B.C. and passed away July 15th, 2009 at Victoria Hospice.
He was the 7th of a 8 children family which relocated to Victoria in the early 1930’s. He completed his Grade 12 at St. Louis’ College in Victoria and moved on to Teacher’s College and pursued a very gratifying career in education. His teaching career began in 1951 at South Wellington, (Nanaimo), proceeded to Campbell River and finally transitioned to Victoria where he taught, then became Vice-Principal at Sir James Douglas Elementary. He subsequently assumed a role at the Greater Victoria School Board as Supervisor of Instruction and finally retired as the Director of Curriculum in 1986.His career as an educator spanned a 36 year period. By various accounts, he was one of the best liked and well respected administrators of his day.
He was a life long avid gardener, and upon retirement devoted more time to his family, gardening and various organizations such as Knights of Columbus, Swan Lake-Christmas Hill Nature Centre, and Queen Alexander Hospital. He even managed to combine his love of gardening and dedication to charitable work by potting plants every spring and raising money by their sale for Birthright (single mothers in need).
He met Bernadine (nee Davis) and they married in 1956. As spouses of over 52 years, they raised 5 children of their own, and became very proud grand-parents of five lovely grandchildren. At the age of 78, he was the last surviving member of his siblings. He leaves behind his loving wife, Bernadine; and children, Mark (Kerry), David (Janet), Michele, Blair (Rita),and Loranne; grandchildren, Kathryn Natalie, Evan, Eric and Davis.
He will always be remembered by his family and friends as a proponent of improved education, a gentleman and a genuinely GOOD man.
The family would like to thank the Victoria Cancer Clinic, the Team at Victoria Hospice and all physicians involved for their outstanding loving care of Roy.
Memorial service for Roy will be held at ST. PATRICK’S PARISH, 2060 Haultain street on Saturday, July 25, 12:10 pm. Reception to follow in the church’s hall adjacent to the church.
No flowers. If you wish to make a donation to the Victoria Hospice Society, Doctors without Borders or Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, it would be appreciated.
19 Responses
DEAR MRS. LISTER AND FAMILY PLEASE ACCEPT OUR CONDOLENCES ON THE LOSS OF MR. LISTER.I AM WRITING ON BEHAVE OF MYSELF AND MY WIFE. ANDREA TOOK A PROMOTION AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE WITH MR. LISTER AS HER NEW BOSS. HE WAS FULLY AWARE THAT SHE WAS WEAK AT SHORTHAND . THIS WONDERFULL MAN WOULD WRITE OUT ALL MEMOS LONGHAND AND GIVE THEM TO HER FOR TYPING AND INFORMED OTHER STAFF TO DO THE SAME.ANDREA WOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER ALL THE ATTRIBUTES MENTIONED IN THE OBIT AND BRING THE STORIES HOME TO ME . ALL THIS WAS BACK IN 1967, 68 AS ANDREA WORKED TILL HER 7TH MONTH CARRYING OUR FIRST CHILD SEAN [NOW A VICTORIA FIREFIGHTER] ANDREA STAYED HOME TO RAISE TWO CHILDREN AND DID NOT RETURN TO WORK ,BUT REMEMBERS MR. LISTER WITH FONDNESS AND RESPECT .
THIS FINE ,KIND AND GENTLE MAN WILL BE REMEMBERED BY THE BELLAGENTE FAMILY.
Blair and Family,
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your father. Having lost my father this last January I know all too well the pain and loss you feel. If he was anything like you, and I’m sure he was, he was a very good man and those that worked with him were proud to do so.
Berni, I was so sad to see the notice of Roy’s passing….Mr. Lister to me. Roy was a wonderful boss, confidante, mentor and guide to me during our time working together at the School Board. I was blessed to work with a man who was a real gentleman, and a caring person with a great sense of humour. He could speak to any report prepared by his ‘curriculum specialist’ staff at Board meetings because he knew their business — and he was such an eloquent speaker. We all enjoyed our social gatherings with you and Roy and our chats together, both of you being such gracious and gentle people. You and your family are in my thoughts and my heart. Warmest regards, Joan (j.j.)
Dear Bernie,
Our sympathy goes to you and all the family.
Margaret and Willie Rapatz
Dear Bernadine and Family,
I am so deeply saddened to hear of Roy’s death and what his loss means for all of you and for all of us who knew him, worked with him and loved him for the admirable, good man that he was. Having been his close colleague and friend in the Curriculum Department for many years enjoying our daily coffee together, I have missed his wonderful humour and his innate warmth and thoughtfulness. What a wonderful man your husband and father was.
Love,
Bob Aitken
Dear Bernadine and family,
We were very saddened by the news of Roy’s passing and wish to express our sincere sympathy. We worked closely with Roy for eight years and always found him to be a dedicated and knowledgeable educator who was always professional, cooperative and helpful. He had a great respect for everyone that he worked with and I know that he was well respected by his colleagues. We will miss him very much.
Bernie and Rose Chandler
To Bernadine and Family
Ray and I wish we could be there with you at the memorial service in celebration of Roy’s life.
Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Love
Ray and Donna Halladay
Dear Family of Roy Lister,
I was a grade six student of “Mr. Lister’s” in 1959 at Sir James Douglas School. I had been at private school the two years before and so I was a “new girl”. I remember Mr. Lister with great respect and fondness. He was a smart, fair, and compassionate teacher who helped me (for one) settle into a new school situation where I knew no one at the start of the year. He was a very good teacher and I’m sure everyone from that and other classes throughout the years of his long career remember him.
My sympathies to you all. He had a full and rewarding life and will be missed.
Sincerely,
Heather MacAndrew
I just wanted to extend my sympathy to Mr Lister’s family. He was my favorite teacher at Sir James Douglas school. He was a kind man and always had a nice way about him.