September 6, 1948 – October 16, 2012
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Milton Hodgson, at the age of 64, at Victoria Hospice in Victoria, BC. Wayne will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed by his family and the many friends he had in Victoria and around the world. Born in Victoria, Wayne lived his life to the fullest. After retiring from many years as an accountant with the BC government, he enjoyed worldwide travel as a cruise ship dance host, ballroom dancing, music, singing, biking and photography. He was also a popular DJ and provided the music and entertainment at many dances and weddings.
A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012 in McCall Bros. Floral Chapel (Johnson & Vancouver Streets, Victoria, BC), followed by a reception in McCall’s Family Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations in Wayne’s memory may be made to Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, 4th Floor, Richmond Pavilion, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC, V8R 1J8. Condolences may be offered below.
36 Responses
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 have the great fortune to work with Wayne in the 1801 Douglas Street government office. He was a great friend, always gentle and gracious at all time. One time when we bumbed into each other in the coffee shop at the entrance, he recounted his last night adventure and all his excitment in skating in the empty underground parking lot. With all such practices, no wonder he was an accomplished ballroom dancer. I remembered him of his artistic talent, his kind and generous sprit to conect with all.
I am sorry for missing a friend and with deep consolence to his family.
Chuck
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
Our condolences to Wayne’s family and dear friends.
How lucky Bob and I were to have met Wayne through the dance community. I will always remember his charming ability to make people feel at ease and comfortable in his presence. Whenever we met, there was always a smile, an engaging story of his latest adventure and his enthusiastic anticipation of his next adventure to come. I’ll think of you Wayne, as being off on another adventure – ever the gentleman, on and off the dance floor.
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.
Wonderful Wayne was the photographer at our wedding. He was able to capture details, expressions and unusual dance moves from young and old alike, creating memories for us for which we will always be grateful. We are saddened that he had to leave us so soon and extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones.
Anne McGovern and
Clay Brown
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.
On behalf of the Mt. Doug School Reunion Group also known as ‘The Nerds’ Wayne was such an integral part of our group. We could always count on him to add up the numbers – he was our numbers guy!
We’ll miss the accounts of his many travels, the people he met along the way, the places he visited and the beautiful photos.
Wayne was so willing to help whether it be mopping the floors, changing the light switch, organizing the music – just a great all round person.
Many happy memories from Jeanne Thomson, Jeanne Kinnis, Lana Underwood, Alan Holmes, Carol Williams and John Rose aka The Nerds.
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…….
We will always have fond memories of our acquaintance with Wayne. He added much to the lives of all of us who knew him.