March 20, 1939 - February 1, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
This is a eulogy more than an obituary as there is no service to be held.
In loving memory & with much sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband & father, Albert George Eccles. Born in Rossland, BC March 20, 1939 & passed away peacefully in the early minutes of Feb 1st at the Campbell River Hospital, after a massive stroke 8 1/2 months ago.
His family moved to Victoria while he was at an early age. He was the only child of Ron & Eva Eccles (Fiddick). Al was always very smart and a quick learner which often got him in trouble as he would get bored in school then cause a "disturbance" (some comical now) in more than one class.
To try and challenge his quick intellect they let him skip a grade in school. He attended MacKenzie Ave school then graduated successfully from Mt View High, took 1st year science at Victoria College, (now Camosun) then moved onto UBC.
He was never afraid of work, willing to learn anything in order to get employment while going thru university. A paper carrier at a young age. A bricklayer's helper, working on the green chain at a sawmill, & at an explosives plant on James Island where one could not even take a package of cigarettes, & of course everyone smoked then.
In May 1962 he married Marjorie Elizabeth (Betty) Goodall in Vancouver & 3 weeks later got his Metallurgical Engineering degree from UBC. They started their life in Welland, Ontario, later moving to Trail & Rossland, BC, Victoria, Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, then Campbell River in 1972, where he was Mill Manager for the Myra Falls mine until 1989.
Our son noted that while he was at the mine for over 30 years, the guys would often tell him how much they had enjoyed working for his Dad. Even as retirees, when they meet our son, they will ask about Al & ask to be remembered by him.
They all say Al was a manager who was always fair, even thru union negotiations, he always "had to look out for the boys" he would tell us. He had an "open door" policy that any of them could go to him with any concerns as he was very approachable & for this they were grateful and respected him.
He did some consulting work for a bit, then in 1991 bought Campbell River Dry Cleaners as "retirement" was not yet for him. In 1992 he joined Rotary. It was probably around this time he also started to make his own beer. "Far cheaper than in the stores & tasted better too" he would say. Unfortunately, he gave up this hobby when we downsized, as no basement to do the work & keep the beer in. That didn't stop him from enjoying a cold one now and then.
Al most enjoyed doing something with or for his kids. Packing tools to Nova Scotia to help Ron do a major reno of their house, helping Rob do tile work that he had never done before, or his last task of building a greenhouse with Diane at her home. Just a few of the many projects he helped with & enjoyed thoroughly. In 1999 we sold the cleaners to be officially retired & he took up golf.
He leaves behind his wife Marjorie of almost 60 years; Ronald (Sandra) now in Victoria, Robert (Michelle) of Black Creek, & Diane also in Victoria. He also leaves numerous "grand pets" especially Sushi & Sparky who have noticed their beloved friend is gone.
He took an active part in all activities pertaining to the kids-- being a Cub leader, treasurer with the Navy League when they were all in Cadets, still attending baseball games & golfing with Diane up and down the island. His last game was with her on her birthday, May, 2021.
We had many a good camping trip when the kids were young, first in a camper then at our cabin at Cedar. We travelled to many parts of the world and were fortunate to have touched all seven continents & four of the five oceans. This included driving coast to coast across Canada & the US. Seeing the Falkland Islands, rounding Cape Horn & crossing the Equator, also a cruise to Alaska.
We were also able to see such wonders, as being able to walk thru the stones of Stonehenge, climbing Ayers Rock, which one can no longer do at either site. Al also saw the Great Wall of China. We were also able to drive to the sunny south in the winters, meeting up with friends & former employees he had while in Saskatchewan many years before.
He loved the water & we spent many hours on our boat taking in the wonders of our area, or water skiing at McIvor Lake or at Shawnigan Lake with a former school buddy. Also spent many a happy day skiing when the kids were young or even as adults on Mt. Washington, as well as Red Mt. in Rossland where he learned to ski as a very young boy.
He loved photography, & we have the photos as memories of all our vacations. He loved to cook, doing most of it at home for a number of years. He also followed the LA Dodgers (formerly Brooklyn) since a boy, as well as his favorite BC Lions which we tried to attend at least one game every season.
The last few years he walked almost every day---just not in the rain, he hated it. Always found something to do, whether working in the yard, building or fixing something for us or more likely one of the kids. He built a boat as a teenager, our summer cabin on old family property at Cedar, BC, a large shed when we downsized & a large deck at the house.
He faithfully read the Times-Colonist every day, did his crosswords & or Sudoku. "Have to keep the brain going & in good shape" & of course had coffee with "the boys" every morning solving the problems of the world.
He was a member of Jaycees for a number of years both in Saskatchewan & in CR. Was a member of the noon Rotary club for over 29 years, serving as Treasurer at one point for 9 years, a Paul Harris Fellow & Director of the Year in 2000-2001 & recently given the honor being named an Honorary Rotarian.
Still in touch with many former elementary school chums he was highly thought of & respected. I was recently told he was truly a wonderful man & felt privileged to have been a friend. He was convinced he would live to be 100 with the good healthy life he led, but someone had other plans for him.
After a mild stroke on Feb. 1st of last year, he started to slow down, but one would never know it. Enforcing his wish to never end up in a home, his body just gave up. We have already missed him for months but now that he is truly gone, it seems like a bad dream. He will always be loved, never forgotten, & will be deeply missed by many. He is at peace now & no longer in pain.
Following his wishes there will be no service but if you wish to honor Al with a donation, please consider Campbell River Rotary--Noon club-- PO Box 25072, Campbell River, BC V9W 0B7-- or the Salvation Army (his favorite charity)