October 31, 1944 – May 7, 2014
Surrounded by his loving family, Stuart passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospice after a courageous, nine year battle with cancer. Predeceased by his mother, Hilary and father, Antony, he is survived by his wife of 45 years, Anthea; his three children, Adrian (Katie), Sara (Jeff) and Hilary; his four grandchildren, Griffin, Andrew, Ellysen and Henry; his twin brother Gordon, sisters Alexandra and Carolyn and seven nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all his family and many friends.
Born in England, Stuart came to Canada in 1970 and lived in Toronto with his wife for 11 years. They later moved to Nanaimo before settling in Victoria in 1985.
An award-winning architect, his passion for design was undeniable as was his zest for life. He pursued many varied interests with a remarkable intensity. From cycling, x-country skiing and kayaking to art, photography and music, he was never idle. Perhaps most of all, he loved sailing. If he was not out on the water, he was often found at the marina working on his boat and visiting with friends. Stuart served as the Registrar for the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC), the Chair of the Board of Directors at Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) and sat on the Saanich Design Panel. Stuart will be remembered for his zany sense of humour, his intelligence, his integrity and his kindness. He will be in our hearts and forever loved.
A celebration of Stuart’s life will be held at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Road, on Wednesday, May 14, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Society or Victoria Hospice.
Condolences for the family may be offered below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
28 Responses
Dear Anthea
Our deepest condolences.
Stuart was a beautiful man of great charm,wit and humour -not to mention courage. It was my great pleasure to be involved with him as he worked tirelessly for GNS.
Bob,Debra,Anne and Julia Drury
Dear Anthea,
I am in Toronto now and have just read in the Globe & Mail about Stuart.
His example of courage, wit, enthusiasm, intelligence and humanity shone through even to me as someone who did not know him well.
All I can say is I am very very sorry.
God bless,
Roger
We are so sorry to hear of Stuart’s death. He was such a big part of the GNS experience for us. Our sympathy to all the family.
Your family was such a big part of our lives for those years we lived near you, and Stuart could always be counted on for a quip or insight that made us laugh or think. We love you all and will miss Stuart.
Many blessings
Hume and Cathrine
Dear Anthea, my thoughts are with you and the family. A light has gone out….Alison
Auntie Anthea please accept our heartfelt condolences. I am so glad I had the opportunity to visit with you and Uncle Stuart a couple of years ago, enjoy lunch with you both and meet Sara and her beautiful family. I have so many wonderful memories of you and Uncle Stuart. Please know that we are thinking of you all and sending you much love.
Anthea and Family
It was with deep, deep sadness that I learned of Stuart’s recent death. I think often, and always fondly, of the great times we all had in Nanaimo – the stimulating conversations, good food and wine, the cross-country skiing and all of the family things that we did.
As a newly minted architect, I learned so much from him very quickly about our profession.
Thanks Stuart and god speed.
Much love
Bob
I am but one of the 50+ students with Stuart on the Architecture Course, interest in Architecture given us by the course and tutors at the Regent Street Poly in the 1960’s and finished the course in 1970; that year we all left with a ‘special’, interest in Architecture instilled into us by the course and tutors at the Poly.
I remember Stuart’s projects as being ambitious and done on a large scale, very pleased to hear that he did so well in his working life, winning a deep respect of friends and family, always larger than life, please accept my condolences for your sad loss.
Chris Byng-Maddick
Although he was my twin brother, we were utterly different. He was arty and I cannot draw a fish that anyone can recognise. He was tall dark and handsome, I am tall dark and handsomer. We had a fierce rivalry, none more so than on the sports field. I remember when we were 12 at school sports day, we won the 440 and 880 yards, the discus and the shot put. I won the 100 and 220 yards, the long and high jumps. We were both second in the events that the other won.
We both became professional in our chosen fields, and we both went overseas to live our adult lives, Stuart to Canada, me to Australia, which made it inevitable that we saw little of each other, or each other’s family. But in the last decade cheaper air travel, and Skype, greatly reduced the tyranny of distance. It was lovely that we always had a new joke (or two) to tell each other. He was the elder twin, but I always rang him from Australia the day after my birthday to wish him “happy birthday “, pointing out that I was now the elder as my birthday was yesterday. Our rivalry was the undercurrent in our relationship, but he has now won our last race and I shall have to be second.
Despite knowing his demise was imminent, I was surprisingly upset by his death. Thank goodness his suffering has ended.
He leaves behind a family of which he was, and should have been, truly proud and, of course, a GREAT twin brother, brother in law, uncle and great uncle who was proud to have been his brother.
Gordon
Anthea, Sara, Adrian, Hilary and each member of the Piets family: Even though we are not with you physically, we have been with you in thought and spirit. Stuart was our friend. He was a genuine character and how could we not love him? We have so many memories of our times with him and we hope to share them with you some time. We are heart broken at his passing. We wish we could have shared one last visit with him. We were looking forward to doing so when we come to B.C. We will miss him. Love never dies, Larry and Melanie.