Obituary

Olivia Newton John performs during the Viña del Mar International Song Festival at the Quinta Vergara in Viña del Mar, Chile, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Believed to be one of the largest musical events in Latin America, the annual five-day festival was inaugurated in 1960. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Olivia Newton-John, beloved star of Grease, dead at 73

Newton-John ‘passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning’

 

FILE - Actor Nichelle Nichols speaks during the Creation Entertainment’s Official Star Trek Convention at The Westin O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill., Sunday, June 8, 2014. Nichols, who gained fame as Lt. Ntoya Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, died Saturday, July 30, 2022, her family said. She was 89. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP, File)

Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ has died at 89

Nichols more recently known for role in TV series ‘Heroes’

 

FILE - Bill Russell grins at announcement that he had been named coach of the Boston Celtics basketball team, April 18, 1966. (AP Photo, File)

Bill Russell, NBA great and Celtics legend, dies at 88

Russell was first ever Black head coach of any major U.S. sport

 

Al LeQuesne is being remembered as a loving father, husband and grandfather who was dedicated to serving and protecting the City of Langford as fire chief. He died recently at 86. (Photo courtesy of Dave LeQuesne)

Local Hero Awards 2022: Al LeQuesne remembered as loving father, husband

The former Langford fire chief is this year’s Courage and Bravery recipient

Al LeQuesne is being remembered as a loving father, husband and grandfather who was dedicated to serving and protecting the City of Langford as fire chief. He died recently at 86. (Photo courtesy of Dave LeQuesne)
Bob Mitchell, who passed away on Feb. 13, was always ready to work on the farm, no matter the time of day, according to Robin Tunnicliffe, who is taking over Sea Bluff Farm operation. (Courtesy of Robin Tunnicliffe)

Bob Mitchell, a Metchosin ‘icon’, dies at 83

Energetic farmer, agriculture advocate ran Sea Bluff Farm for decades, served on Metchosin council

Bob Mitchell, who passed away on Feb. 13, was always ready to work on the farm, no matter the time of day, according to Robin Tunnicliffe, who is taking over Sea Bluff Farm operation. (Courtesy of Robin Tunnicliffe)
Former bishop of Victoria Remi de Roo, who died Feb. 1 at the age of 97, is being remembered as a passionate social justice advocate and progressive thinker in the Catholic church. (Photo courtesy of Louise Beinhauer)

Remi de Roo remembered for lasting impact on church, community in Victoria and beyond

Former Catholic bishop dead at 97; Pope Francis kissed de Roo’s ring for his role in Vatican II

Former bishop of Victoria Remi de Roo, who died Feb. 1 at the age of 97, is being remembered as a passionate social justice advocate and progressive thinker in the Catholic church. (Photo courtesy of Louise Beinhauer)
Meat Loaf gestures during an interview for “Bat Out of Hell - The Musical’” in Toronto on Monday, May 15, 2017. The singer born Marvin Lee Aday died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Meat Loaf, legendary ‘Bat out of Hell’ rock superstar, dies at 74

Singer was born Marvin Lee Aday

Meat Loaf gestures during an interview for “Bat Out of Hell - The Musical’” in Toronto on Monday, May 15, 2017. The singer born Marvin Lee Aday died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Johnny Vallis worked with the late Ronnie Spector during an 80-show house tour of the Legends of Rock and Roll in 1993. He said her loss on Jan. 12 is significant both for him personally, and for the music industry as a whole. (Photo courtesy of Johnny Vallis)

’Quite something:’ Langford singer reflects on performing with late rock legend Ronnie Spector

Johnny Vallis worked on 80 shows with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member, who died Jan. 12

Johnny Vallis worked with the late Ronnie Spector during an 80-show house tour of the Legends of Rock and Roll in 1993. He said her loss on Jan. 12 is significant both for him personally, and for the music industry as a whole. (Photo courtesy of Johnny Vallis)

Angie Willow Skogstad

September 20, 1975 - January 13, 2022In loving memory ~ Worked in…

  • Jan 13, 2022

Kevin Anthony Davis Scott

September 30, 1956 - December 21, 2021In loving memory ~ On the…

  • Dec 21, 2021

Linda Taylor

February 5, 1949 - December 8, 2021In loving memory ~ The family…

  • Dec 8, 2021

Keith Ronald Etherington

October 30, 1950 - October 17, 2021Keith left on his final motorcycle…

  • Oct 17, 2021
George Manning (right), seen here in the pressroom of one of the publications he oversaw, was a legendary figure and mentor in the local community newspaper industry. He passed away last week at age 81. (Facebook/Gail Manning)

Gazette founder leaves a legacy on Greater Victoria, Island journalism

George Manning dies at 81, was key figure in the growth of Black Press on Vancouver Island

George Manning (right), seen here in the pressroom of one of the publications he oversaw, was a legendary figure and mentor in the local community newspaper industry. He passed away last week at age 81. (Facebook/Gail Manning)

Lois Elizabeth Klages

September 7, 20211928-2021 ~ Lois' family announces, with sorrow, her unexpected passing,…

  • Sep 7, 2021
The late Neil Montgomery stands proudly with a motor he built in his shop behind Malahat Auto Parts. The longtime supporter and participant in auto racing at the former Western Speedway will be memorialized there on Aug. 20. The service coincides with Daffodil Cup weekend at the track, one of Montgomery’s favourite events of the season. (Photo by Donna Rand)

Longtime friend to Vancouver Island auto racers to be memorialized Aug. 20

Neil Montgomery wore many hats in his race career: builder, hall 0f fame president and more

The late Neil Montgomery stands proudly with a motor he built in his shop behind Malahat Auto Parts. The longtime supporter and participant in auto racing at the former Western Speedway will be memorialized there on Aug. 20. The service coincides with Daffodil Cup weekend at the track, one of Montgomery’s favourite events of the season. (Photo by Donna Rand)
Amy Jones and her uncle, Phil Dagger, take a break outside an RV at Galaxy Motors. Dagger, who built the company from a single dirt lot on Island Highway to a multi-store entity on Vancouver Island, passed away earlier this week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island auto entrepreneur remembered for humble spirit, perseverance in business

Galaxy Motors owner Phil Dagger passes away in North Saanich home at age 69

Amy Jones and her uncle, Phil Dagger, take a break outside an RV at Galaxy Motors. Dagger, who built the company from a single dirt lot on Island Highway to a multi-store entity on Vancouver Island, passed away earlier this week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Edward Graham ‘Ted’ Taylor

June 7, 1943 - July 20, 2021The family of Edward (Ted) Taylor…

  • Jul 20, 2021
John Cassidy was held in high regard by colleagues, family, friends and the community he served as Colwood fire chief. (Black Press Media file photo)

West Shore firefighting peers pay tribute to Colwood chief

John Cassidy a no-nonsense leader who loved his family, was integral to area fire coordination

John Cassidy was held in high regard by colleagues, family, friends and the community he served as Colwood fire chief. (Black Press Media file photo)
Graeme Roberts, who was mayor of Nanaimo from 1984-86, died this month at age 89. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Community Archives)

City of Nanaimo flags at half-mast as former mayor Graeme Roberts dies at 89

‘Giant-killer’ beat out Frank Ney in mayoral election in 1984

Graeme Roberts, who was mayor of Nanaimo from 1984-86, died this month at age 89. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Community Archives)
Michael Demers, performing here as a member of The Lonely, died May 1 after a year-long battle with leukemia. (Photo by Benji Duke)

Victoria music community mourning Michael Demers

Veteran singer-songwriter, co-founder of The Lonely dies at 63 due to leukemia

Michael Demers, performing here as a member of The Lonely, died May 1 after a year-long battle with leukemia. (Photo by Benji Duke)