It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father Stuart Hooper Hicks on Saturday, 15 August, 2020.
Predeceased by his parents, Henry Hooper Hicks and Phyllis (Bennett) Hicks of Wallasey, Cheshire, UK, and his second wife, Patricia (White) Hicks, of Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.
Stu is lovingly remembered by his children Timothy (formerly Mary Goodman), Julie (formerly Ron Vallis), Mary (Garth Metcalfe), and David (Anna); his grandchildren Robert, Sonya, Michelle, Elaine, Ross, Alan, Martin, and Marco; his first wife and mother of his children, Lena Mary (Richards) Hicks Blaze and his stepson Declan Pybus (Sherry) and children Shannon, Ryan, Janelle and Colleen.
In the UK, he is survived by his cousin Norma (Williams) Jackson of Fowey who was like a sister to him. As a child, Stu was evacuated from Wallasey during WWII to live with family in Wales.
He later pursued a career in electrical engineering, and worked in Britain for British Insulated Callender’s Cable Co. He was sent to the Colonies – Vancouver, B.C. – in 1957, where he married.
After a brief return to England, he came back to Canada as part of the engineering team of Phillips Electric, which saw the St. Lawrence Seaway project (based in Cornwall. Ontario), through to its completion. By 1959,
Stu was established in Vancouver and working for BC Electric, predecessor to BC Hydro, where he remained until his retirement in July 1988. Of his many projects and years with Hydro, he was most proud of being charged with overseeing the laying of the submarine power cable from the mainland, across Galiano Island to Vancouver Island in 1969, facilitated by the French cable-laying ship, Marcel Bayard.
Stu’s wry sense of humour will be remembered, by all who knew him. He was a devoted fan of ‘his’ Liverpool Football Club, and passed his enthusiasms on to his family. It is no small thing to say that he felt he could rest easy with his team at the top of the table.
He enjoyed many years of sailing among the Gulf Islands with family, friends and as a member of EHYC, TCYC and FCYC.
In retirement, he and Pat enjoyed travelling as well as cruising with Holland America.
He participated in UBC’s ‘Third Age’ lecture series, and appreciated the camaraderie of the West Point Grey Lawn Bowling Club and Brock House.
The COVID lock down was particularly hard on Stu as he dearly missed his regular visits with friends, family and grandchildren.
He reached his eighty-ninth birthday on July 23rd.
In lieu of flowers, Stu requested donations to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada, No. 209 – 550 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M6C 1A5
A virtual Celebration of Life will be held Saturday September 26, 2020. Contact family for details.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Stuart Hooper Hicks Jul 23 1931 Aug 15 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique