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REGINALD JOSEPH BICKFORD

June 27, 2015

Died peacefully at home

surrounded by his immediate

family at the end of a long and colourful life. Born in Swansea, Wales, Reginald served in the RAF in Shri Lanka in WWII.

Subsequently he worked for the Ministry of Works in Bedford, and for Guinness’ Brewery

(1947-1954) as the architect in charge of an extensive building program before emigrating with his wife Betty (deceased) and his young daughters Janet, Dorothy and Diana to Canada in 1954.

Starting out in Ottawa with Citizenship & Immigration, Reginald transferred to Public Works accepting the

position of District Architect for B.C. and the Yukon

based in Vancouver British Columbia. The family settled in West Vancouver in 1956.

During his time with Public Works, Reginald became a member of the Architect’s Institute of British Columbia in1956. He worked extensively for the AIBC as a volunteer during his time at Public Works, during which time he was made a Fellow of the AIBC. After his retirement, Reg was asked in September of 1974 to be the Executive Director of the AIBC. A position he ably filled for five years. Generous with his expertise and wisdom, Reginald volunteered on the regional planning committees of the GVRD, White Rock, Metchosin and Langford

Reginald was a builder of things, boats – 7 in all, houses – 3 one in Dublin, a pioneering Solar house in Ocean Park and a cabin at Green Lake. He camperized a VW bus and two vans not to mention extensive renovations of any home he owned, the latest of which is the retirement home he and Betty bought in Metchosin.

A generous man with a wonderful sense of humour, Reginald was a loving husband to Betty (deceased), his wife of 70 years and a loving and supportive father to his children. He leaves, daughters, Janet, Dorothy and Diana (who lovingly undertook and supervised his care in his last years), grandchildren, Jane, David, Gwendolyn,

Emerald and Trevor, great grandchildren, Steven, Anna, Alexis and Alicia, who at 18 months old enchanted him with a visit from Ottawa in his last weeks of life.

In lieu of flowers, we would welcome donations to the Victoria Hospice Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held on

Sunday August 2nd ~ 2:00 pm at

St. Mary the Virgin Church in Metchosin

4354 Metchosin Rd. near the junction of Happy Valley Rd.