Wayne Milton Hodgson

Dear Members of Wayne’s Family,

When the Crystal Symphony was in Montreal on October 21, Hamid Mansory advised me that Wayne had passed away a few days previously. Please accept my sincerest condolences at this sad time.

I first met Wayne on Crystal cruise several years ago and had the pleasure of dancing with him on three or four cruises in the past few years. On one in the Mediterranean, he had the misfortune to lose the sole of his dance shoe and so we “girls” decided that, the next night, he would just have to dance in his socks. He took our kidding with his usual good humour – and even enjoyed the teasing. It turned out that, although he had never met my dance teacher, Simone, Wayne had him on his telephone list to judge the next competition that Wayne was helping organize in Victoria. Simone comes from just outside Venice and the ship’s next port after our disembarkation was going to be Venice.

To make a long story a little shorter, as soon as I got home (about 15 hours after the shoe incident), I contacted Simone, got the address and phone number of his dance shoe supplier about 20 minutes outside Venice, had Crystal onboard services email the info to Wayne, and the next day, Wayne was able to venture out to the town the dance shoe place. Presto, the next day, he didn’t have to even think about having to dance in his socks only and Wayne got to visit a part of Italy that probably no one else on a Crystal cruise ever has seen. The dance world is delightfully crazy sometimes. I thought that you might enjoy this little story.

I last saw Wayne on the ill-fated Alaska cruise – the one on which the U.S. immigration barred his return to the ship after going ashore in Vancouver. If I remember correctly, it was the previous day that he had invited your family aboard and I had the pleasure of meeting you up in the Palm Court. He was very proud of his family – he said to me that he was proud of both his families although I am not sure exactly what he meant because, as a good ambassador host, he always focused on the guests not on himself. Know that he was well-loved in the dance community and that our thoughts are with you at this time .

Sincerely,

Emily Reid

What to say that many others have not already…. I, too, will miss Wayne even though we spent little time together in the last few years. BUT in true Wayne style, he did keep in touch no matter how busy he was. Over the years, I saw him volunteer, not only in the dance community, but whenever he felt he could help a friend or organization. When I purchased a home, he tirelessly helped me do renovations, calling on favours from friends, and making the impossible, possible. When you walked down the street with Wayne, he would invariably see someone he knew – and he always remembered the person’s name! That quick smile and wit, his good humour, and energy will be missed…. Wayne loved his family, and they were a very important part of his life – my deepest condolences to all of you… I feel privileged to have known Wayne and been able to share a small part of his life.

– Joanne

Still hard to believe we have lost and will be celebrating the life of mio caro cugino today. It doesn’t seem real. So many great memories: planning family celebrations, taking Italian lessons together, dancing in Auntie Tina’s living room, snapping pictures and laughing (there was always laughter), visiting him on his cruise ship for a day, reliving so many trips after the fact, and comparing notes about our travels while viewing more digital pictures then you could ever imagine. Wayne always made things more enjoyable and will be missed ever so much.

Our sincere condolences to Wayne’s family and friends. He was a very special man and will be missed by so many.

We have known Wayne since the late 60’s and have so many fond memories of a wonderful guy who seemed to know everybody in Victoria. He loved his dancing and even tried to teach me steps walking down the street!

We are sorry that we are unable to be at his celebration of life but will be thinking of him and all that he has meant to us.

Pete and Jo, Snow Road Station, Ont.

I worked with Wayne on and off for a number of years and he was always friendly and ready to sit down and just yak. From organizing hockey pools, to teaching us (at Environment) how to play bridge, to showing off those dance moves, he was always a friendly guy to be around.

Take care to his family.
greg

I have known Wayne since we were both small children when our families used to meet together at summer events up island. In our later adult years we had mutual work projects together, were friends and shared dinners and dancing together. How many times would we attend at the Norwegian Hall and join in the folk dancing with the members! Gerry met Wayne in later years at dancing and always enjoyed his selection of music and fun and laughter that we all shared together. Wayne will be so missed for his positive outlook to life, his laughter and humour; a kind gentle soul who left us too early in life. Wayne touched the lives of so many people and Wayne will always live in our hearts. Our sympathy to his family and loved ones.

I was fortunate to work with Wayne at the Ministry of Health back in the early 80’s (when Wayne lived on Service Street) and I also worked with him at the Ministry of the Environment on Selkirk St. and on Blanshard street. We got along great. Then just after I started ballroom dancing I met him for coffee at Claire Yoo’s coffee shop on Blanshard St. and introduced him to ballroom dancing. He then got heavily involved in all aspects of it. I remember driving him and our girlfriends to the Bayshore Inn in Vancouver just to see the Snowball Classic Dance event. After he did his dancehost trips he would bring back thousands of pictures and watch them at my place for hours. You can see one of these on YouTube called “Nelly Furtado’s Portugal 13 minutes” with his name at the end for all the pictures supplied by him of Portugal. It was given to Nelly Furtado and her father, Tony, as a gift. Wayne also played Santa Claus when my chidren were young. Wayne will truly be missed.

Our deepest condolences to the family – we will always remember Wayne as the energizer bunny with a heart of gold; a photographer with an eye for beauty, and a dancer whose love of life was evident to all. Wayne, you have set a fine example of living life to its fullest – we miss you however the memories live on…….

My heartfelt condolences go to Wayne’s mum, Tina and the family.

With his untiring energy for community, his thoughful and caring nature and fanastic sense of humour and musicality, Wayne was a shining example of a great human being. He touched the lives of so many people, from all walks of life, that he is sorely missed.

Over the years, I was most fortunate to have spent many happy hours dancing with Wayne. And when it is my time to go to that big ballroom in the sky, I hope that he saves a dance for me.

We can’t believe you are gone from us! You were Mr. Super Energy – with your enthusiasm for life – dance, photography…. Just seeing you at dance practice – with your smile and presence – made me want to dance! And I saw many of your photographs that you took for others…. you could certainly capture the moment. And personally – thank you for helping me organize dinners – when I first came to Victoria – for other dancers to meet each other. And thank you for your smile. I think you must be ‘up there’ teaching the others… perhaps the quickstep! I wonder if they could keep up with you…. I sure couldn’t. You are missed. Much love Jo

My parents moved into Dean House when it was still being built in 1972. Consequently I have known Wayne ever since he moved here. The snowfall of 1996 had Wayne bringing Chinese Food to my home for New Year’s Eve (he walked a long way) just so I would have company. Very kind! He and I also cooked a dinner for quite a number of our Dean House neighbours one year. He will be missed.

Loving memories of my uncle Wayne…

He was always joyful and happy, and pleased with everything in life both small and big, from having a cup of coffee to the wonderful sights of the countless places he went to

He would find the time for everything, moving around throughout Victoria and helping coordinate events and parties as the mc, dj and of course expert dance host

Above all, his kindness and strong loving connections he had with family and friends is what we will all remember

I remember him showing me his large baseball card collection when I was a young boy, I remember him driving me around to play golf when I visited Victoria, I remember him always being around for celebrations and dinners – he did so much for me as my uncle and I was be forever grateful. I can’t believe I won’t see him again but his memory will live on in my heart forever

Sorry you had to leave us Wayne. I see now that you have been preparing us over the last several years for this pending loss by traveling for months on end with your dance cruises. The various communities you have left behind are the big losers here and we will all miss you a lot. I personally will celebrate a life well lived. You have left many examples of how it is done. Condolences to family and friends. Murray

Wayne was a very special friend. I knew him best here in Sequim when we were biking and kayaking along the isolated coast east of my home. He visited often on his trips to Port Angeles and Port Townsend for local dances and music festivals. He spent many hours in my front room managing his photos on his computer. His smiling face and concern for everyone will be sorely missed by us all. Fortunately we have his many photos on Smugmug, Dance Host, to help remember him. My heartfelt condolences to his mother and the rest of his family. Good-bye to one of my closest friends.
Richard

That is very sad news. I didn’t know Wayne very well but I had the pleasure of dancing with him on occasion at Wednesday practice. He was a lovely dancer and a gentleman. My deepest sympathies to his family.

I met Wayne a few years ago dancing on the Crystal cruise line as he was an Ambassador Host. I have fond memories of the many evenings we danced together in Starlit to the best music in the world. I am saddened by his passing and know he will be missed by many on the ship.

Wayne was one of the first people that I met in the ballroom community who so freely gave you the privilege of having a beautiful flowing dance with him. His smile would light up any room. His gentle mannerisms and kind gestures were always well received and appreciated. I wish to express my gratitude and thanks for having had the pleasure to be touched by Wayne’s life. My heartfelt condolences are with his family at this time.

May your spirit always be dancing Wayne…..

Wayne was a kind and caring person, always such a gentleman, and a wonderful individual. He will be greatly missed. My heart and tears are with his family.