Wayne was born in Regina, Saskatchewan to Delia Strandlund (nee Jordens) and was later adopted by Bert Strandlund. He spent his young formative years on the family farm in Broadview, Saskatchewan until August of 1962 when Bert and Delia packed up a station wagon with 7 kids, an uncle and the family dog and drove to Victoria, BC. Wayne resided in Victoria ever since.
Wayne’s pride and joy were his children, Jason (Hannah and Ty), Hali (Darren, children Cole and Nicholas) and Rafer (Vicky, children Chelsea (Katie), Jasmine and the newest addition great grandson Fletcher) who all worked together at the family company. Fisgard is a true family enterprise that he was extremely proud of.
Wayne was fortunate to have known many people but there were a few who wrapped their arms around him throughout various stages of his life. Terry Orr, Bob Herr, Lawrence and Diana Russel, the Paniz family (Umberto, Dawn and children Allissa, Jessica, Arianna and Kiarra), Tania Miller, Stephanie Ustina, Elena Markos and Lorraine Strandlund.
Wayne’s large family included five brothers and two sisters. Alvin (Lorri), Terry (Teresa), Darlene, Randy (Lori), Paddy (Sue), Trevor (Kim), and Gail, along with numerous beloved uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.
Wayne was an entrepreneur at heart and a deep thinker with many interests. He was passionate about music, writing, mathematics, education, hockey, football (a proud coach of the BC Champion Victoria Hornets in the early 80s) and gardening. He loved cats (especially Moosh Moosh) and a good ol’ toasted bologna and cheese sandwich. While he enjoyed the simple things in life, he was complicated, emotional and always ready for a good debate or fight if warranted.
Not one to sit on the sidelines Wayne served as President and/or Director of numerous associations including the Victoria Real Estate Board, British Columbia Real Estate Board, Real Estate Council Of BC, the BC Notary Society and served as Chancellor of Royal Roads University, a position he was extremely proud of. His dedication also flowed to the arts and local community enthusiastically supporting the Victoria Symphony and many other related organizations.
Wayne was quietly proud of his Metis heritage. His great Aunt Marguerite Belhumeur was wife to Louis Riel, founding father of Manitoba and from Paris his 13th great grandfather, Louis Hebert, was the first apothecary of Canada and settler of Quebec. A very interesting family history.
There is so much more to share about this icon of a man and words can not describe how much he brought to our lives and how much he will be missed. His legacy will continue!
Please join us at 2:30 pm on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in the Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, to celebrate the life of this incredible man.
Should you wish to honour Wayne’s legacy, donations can be made to the Wayne Strandlund Award for Indigenous and Metis Students at Royal Roads University or the Victoria Symphony Society.
https://www.royalroads.ca/wayne-strandlund-award-indigenous-students-0
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
59 Responses
So sorry to hear.
Condolences to the Strandlunds and the Fisgaard family. Wayne built a legacy; may his memory be a blessing.
I went to school with Wayne at St. Louis College. I was always convinced that he had a photographic memory as he could always ace his exams without studying. He was a great guy and will be missed!
Wayne was an incredible man with huge insight and wisdom and impact on those he touched. I was always amazed at his genuine interest in people around him. Wayne always took the time and effort to listen intently and with purpose – I often wondered if it was a learned behavior or if he had this natural instinct to genuinely connect with people. He always asked how you were doing. I was never a person to believe in the spiritual world, rather a scientist at heart, but I reveled in Wayne’s ability to somehow connect with this spiritual sense. He was always at ease and calm whenever we interacted. He was eternally thankful, most kind, and generous, and had a great sense of humour. I always respected Wayne deeply.
Wayne was one of the only people to have touched me so deeply, to make me cry with full emotion as he presented me with a personally hand crafted set of prayer beads he called meditation beads – a cherished gift I hold dearly. I just held them a week ago when I heard he wasn’t doing well, and thought of our many discussions over the years involving politics, real estate, finance, music, sports, family, chamber of commerce dealings, health.
I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to have met Wayne, and to have felt his insight through the years.
My deepest condolences and love and hugs to the entire Strandlund family. Wayne’s passing leaves a magnitude ripple of loss for so many. Wayne will be truly missed.
Sincere best wishes to the entire Strandlund family and our thoughts are with you all.
To Hali and the entire family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am truly sorry for your loss of this wonderful man you called Dad, brother, husband, and grandpa. May he rest in peace. ❤️ xo
My condolences go out to all of the family and friends who knew, loved and respected Wayne. I include myself in that list. I met Wayne about 20 years ago when he contracted my company for cabinetry. We soon grew to become more than just acquaintances through many lively conversations and sharing of stories from our mutual prairie background and good wine.
One of the best people to have passed through my life and I feel blessed to have been part of his wider circle.
Cheers to his legacy.
Ted Hancock
We wish you sympathy to bring peace, strength to face the days ahead, loving memories to cherish and hold in your heart and loads of love Hali.
Our grandpas were brothers,
Our mothers best of friends,
We shared the title of first born and our early years were intertwined with life near St Hubert, the Pipestone Valley, Broadview school, the Cowessess First Nation, and the Qu’Apelle valley.
My oldest sister recently suggested that you were the older brother I never had!
RIP Wayne
You have an amazing legacy.
Brian
Wayne was a “character” and will be remembered for his generosity, energy and respect for his heritage. Royal Roads University was a beneficiary of his time and talent