Howard Laverne Bouey - October 17, 1920 Regina, Saskatchewan; November 25, 2017 Qualicum Beach, B C
Howard Bouey ended his distinguished passage on this earth November 25, 2017 at the grand age of 97, at Qualicum Beach, BC.
Howard leaves his proud and loving family: Douglas [Elaine], Jane [married to Wayne Biggs in Saanichton] and Nan [married to Bob Jacobson in Auburn, California] and his grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
Raised in Regina by Jane and Charles with siblings Lois and Robert, he was initially schooled at U of Saskatchewan. Then Howard enlisted in the RCAF in 1940. He trained in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan across the west. Before being assigned to the east, he courted and married the remarkable Grace, love of his life. They went together to Nova Scotia before he was shipped out of New York for England.
Howard flew tours as Flight Lieutenant in the reliable Wellington bomber on Coastal Command patrols of the Atlantic east of France and accumulated searing memories of wartime.
On return, he chose to use his veteran's benefits to enroll in architecture at the U of Manitoba, Winnipeg. Son Douglas was born while Howard was studying. Graduating as "Senior Stick" [class president], he decamped to Edmonton to seek his destiny where daughter Jane was born followed 4 years later by Nan.
Quickly established, he became partner in a major Edmonton firm succeeded by joining his brother Robert in founding Bouey and Bouey Architects. Their practice in infrastructure, churches and schools thrived in booming Alberta.
Becoming active in the governance of the profession, he served, in turn, as President of the Architects Association of Alberta [AAA] and of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada [RAIC].
The family enjoyed many happy times in Edmonton with family and life long friends.
Howard and Grace also had many memorable west coast sailing adventures with a cadre of dear friends, Howard retired from Bouey, Bouey and Rutledge but finished with flourish adding Century Place and the Cross Cancer Institute to his firm's legacy. Throughout his career, he remained active in Kiwanis, Children's Aid Society and Grace United Church and supplemented his career with wonderful contributions as an accomplished soloist and choral baritone.
Moving to Vancouver Island in 1984, he and Grace filled their days fishing, spending time with old and new friends and fixing up their lovely waterfront home. Howard got even more serious about sculpture, taking courses at Malaspina College and filling shelves with notable work. He became the bedrock of the baritone section of the respected Malaspina choir, and also sang with the St. Stephens choir in Qualicum Beach.
Alas, poor Grace was overcome by dementia and Howard devoted a decade to her care until she left him in 2002.
To launch his final chapter, Howard designed and built a new house in Qualicum Beach complete with sculpture studio and fulfilled his promise as an artist until he reconciled with reality and moved to his final and comfortable home at the Gardens in Qualicum Beach where he continued to hold forth as poet laureate until his passing. His Friday lunch mens' group who were bonded by their shared experience caring for spouses at Eagle Park, sustained him in this period.
The family are extremely grateful to the fine staff at the Gardens. We are particularly thankful for Marcella and Cilla - his faithful caregivers - who gave his later years dimension and joy.
Grandkids Dan, Stephen, Jane, Evan, Kallee and Stacey remember him fondly. With them are great grandchildren Gavin, Nicolas, Mariella, Charlotte, Emma, Georgia and Emmylou.
Howard was predeceased by his mother Jane, father Charles, sister Lois, brother Bob and wife Grace.
A remembrance of Howard is planned for St. Stephen's United Church, Qualicum Beach at 11 am January 20, 2018.