Rock George Chalifour
Celebration of Life
Saturday, October 16, 2021
9:30 – 11:30 AM
Nikkei Natural Museum & Cultural Centre
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC
See on Google Maps
Obituary
Obituary for Rock George Chalifour
June 12, 1953 – October 8, 2021
Rock George Chalifour was born in Prince Albert, SK on June 12, 1953. Rock spent his early childhood years in Debden (SK), Port Alberni (BC), and Victoria (BC). Rock began his nursing career at the Veteran’s Hospital and at Victoria General Hospital as LPN/ Orthopaedic Technician after graduating from Camosun College.
In the early 1980’s, Rock dabbed in Real Estate development and sales, and helped built his parents long-term home. When Real Estate crashed in the 1980’s, Rock returned to school for his RN license at Douglas College while working at RCH then studied for his RN degree at BCIT. Unable to get a fulltime job, Rock started working in the North as a remote nurse. Enjoying working independently, Rock decided to pursue his master’s degree in Nurse Practitioner at the University of Athabasca. Rock met his wife Clara and two sons, Toby and Derrick in 1999 and married in 2002.
Rock enjoyed the great outdoors including fishing, camping, hiking, canoeing, and hunting. Led by his adventurous spirit, he tried white water rafting, parachuting, and whale hunting at Tuktoyaktuk. One of Rock’s most memorable adventures include helping a game warden engage and herd muskox back to an abandoned calf to the mom!
Rock’s love of food and sense of adventure means he will try eating anything at least once – including eating raw walrus and whale blubber.
Rock retired 3 years ago when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and was able to enjoy a Mediterranean cruise with wife Clara in 2019 just before the Covid pandemic hit. Of the many places travelled, Rock’s favourite was the Masada in Israel.
Having watched his mother battle dementia, Rock faced his diagnosis with courage, strength, and acquiescence. At the end, Rock couldn’t tell you what day it was, but could still debate politics on Facebook with his brother, talk “nurse” with his colleagues, and tell stories with detail and finesse from long ago. On October 8, 2021, Rock slipped away peacefully with his wife and sons by his side. This caring man with his brilliant mind and wonderful humour will be missed!
Memorial Tribute
The following video presentation is a memorial tribute in loving memory of Rock, as presented at his Celebration of Life.
Having issues viewing this video? Watch on You Tube.
Memorial Donations
On behalf of the family, thank you for your support and kind expressions of sympathy at this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (CARD) via UBC/VGH Foundation (direct link below). Thank you.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rock George Chalifour 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique