Seoras died peacefully at Victoria General Hospital on June 15th, 2020. Predeceased by parents Leslie and Margaret and father-in-law Clifford Turner, he was the treasured husband of Kim and devoted father to son Rory. Profoundly missed by his wife’s family – Eleanor, Blair and Blaine; his cousins in Scotland, Newfoundland and Ontario, and an enormous circle of friends in Victoria, across Canada and beyond.
Born in Carrbridge, Scotland, he was named for an uncle in the RAF who did not return from WWII. As an infant, he moved with his parents to his father’s family home in Newfoundland and then to Toronto as a toddler. He was raised in Etobicoke, attending Queensway Public School, Norseman Middle School and Royal York Collegiate. At the University of Waterloo, he completed an Honours BA in Political Science, inspired by passionate student politics and turbulent world events of the 1960s. A proponent of never letting one’s education get in the way of their learning, he ultimately left graduate studies to spend extended periods travelling across the world, experiencing adventures with which he would often regale his friends in later years. Favourite memories included crossing the Sahara Desert in a Land Rover and trekking through the mountains of Nepal, the beauty of whose Annapurna Range remained a touchstone of peace that would stay with him for the rest of his life.
His passion for exploration and sincere joy in meeting new people was matched by his lifelong love of aviation. Disappointed to learn that his eyesight made him ineligible to ever fly a fighter jet, he instead went on to become a skilled private pilot who flew across North America in a series of Cessna aircraft. He was also a lover of sports – especially the Edmonton Oilers, to whom he was unwaveringly loyal even living amongst Canucks fans in B.C.!
Seoras had a long career in Human Resources in both public and private sectors, the highlight of which was his time with Wardair Canada. There he was able to fulfill his passion for aviation and travel while making many lifelong friends.
His career ultimately led him and his family to Victoria, B.C. where he was overjoyed to spend the last three decades of his life. He was unfailingly grateful to live in “paradise”, frequently exclaiming over his good fortune in being able to look out every day over a beautiful vista of ocean, islands and mountains. Always a keen photographer, in recent years he took to rising early every morning to capture the beauty he found in the sunrises over Cordova Bay. He was a huge music lover, seeing almost every big rock act of the era, but always remaining open to experiencing new genres of music.
Seoras will be remembered for his wisdom, boundless optimism, wry sense of humour, endless patience and genuine interest in everyone he met.
We are profoundly grateful to our friends and neighbours for their support and to Dr. Leah Norgrove for her years of compassionate care. At Seoras’ request, no service will be held, but we know he would be happy to be remembered any time you witness moments of natural beauty like the sunrises he so loved. In lieu of flowers, donations to Victoria Hospitals Foundation are welcomed.
We love him more than words can express, and always will. We shall never forget him. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
33 Responses
Dear Kim and Rory. My deepest sympathies. I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Seoras. I worked for Seoras at BCSC and remember his smile when Rory would walk in his office from the day care across the way. Nothing else mattered at that moment. I cherish my time working with Seoras; so caring and truly genuine man. Take good care of yourself Kim. Sending you love and and hugs. Suzanne Groulx
Kim, so sorry to hear about Seoras passing. I didn’t get to know you and Seoras until I spent time with you both while visiting Deb D. In Palm Springs. I remember Seoras and I immediately became kindred spirits in a brother sisterly way due to our friendly bickering back and forth. I am so sad he is gone and wish I could have seen more of you both.
Dear Kim:
We were so sorry to read that Shorry had passed
Please know you are in our thoughts at this
difficult time for you, your son and family
He was a lovely gentle man –
Dear Kim and Rory,
There are no words to describe how sad we are, but also how grateful we are to have known Seoras for so many years. He loved you both so much, I’m sure it was very hard to say goodbye. His spirit will live on in both of your hearts and in the hearts of all of the friends and family that loved him. We spent many wonderful hours together and will remember that time very fondly. Sending you both lots of love.
Dear Kim,
Janice and Nancy have kept me informed of what you have been going through. This must be
such a difficult time for you and your son Rory. Deepest sympathies. May you and Rory carry Seora’s wonderful spirit with you always. Sincere condolences from both Vic and I.
Dearest Kim and Rory;
Over the many years of knowing you Kim and witnessing your great love affair with Seoras, I am struggling with words to express my condolences to you both in losing the love of your life and such a devoted Father. Seoras though, was never short on words to express his love of and devotion to you both. I know you will feel his love and hear his laughter forever. Know that he is resting now and watching over you. Sending you much love, Shelley and Maurice
Dear Kim and Rory: We are very sorry for your loss. What a special man Seoras was. May all of his wonderful qualities live on in you both. Our deepest condolences,
Nancy and Werner Schreiner
My sincere condolences.
I will remember Shorry for many things, especially the fun I had with his father and Shorry working on my Sunbeam Imp, and for his help in getting me into The Village at U of W. He was simply a great guy.
My heartfelt condolences to you. I met Seoras in a photo course which then became photo group where we shared both stories and photos. What a wonderful warm gentleman who will be truly missed.
Kim and Rory, Jamie and I are so sorry to hear about Seoras’s passing. Our sincerest condolences to you. Seoras was the second supervisor I had in the Public Service and through all of these years now, he still remains my favourite. He was an extremely kind person and had amazing stories. He also became a friend, which is very telling in itself when that happens.
My heart is with you, Chantal