August 1, 1934 - February 6, 2020
On February 6, 2020 Lionel Botting, great husband and sailing partner passed away peacefully at CR Hospital Unit3D after several months of failing health. Pat was with him as he left on his final voyage.
Lionel was born in 1934 in a tiny village in Sussex, England the fifth of eight children. At age 14 he enlisted in the British Royal Navy and received his early education with the Sea Lords. He elected to join the Regulating branch (Military Police) and quickly rose through the ranks. This promising career ended prematurely in a diving accident during the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956.
Retrained as a Millwright he spent most of his working life underground in mines in West & South Africa before settling in Campbell River with his first family where he found employment at Westmin. A founding member of the Fishing Guides Association and a Search & Rescue unit (later the Coast Guard Auxiliary) Lionel taught various courses for Ripple Rock Power Squadron for over 30 years. He generously shared his knowledge of local waters and boating topics with other groups in small locations along the West coast.
His first retirement project was a six-year global circumnavigation on the sailboat Ankle Deep; this earned him Membership in the Seven Seas Cruising Association as well as awards from the Bluewater Cruising Association.
Lionel had a great sense of humour; he loved to teach, and he loved to tease. He was always interested in world events, despised the current state of politics and held firm opinions on almost every topic of conversation. Beware an argument!
Loyal to friends and always willing to help the less fortunate, he leaves a wealth of wonderful stories, some good friends, a few discontents and an amazingly beautiful garden.
Lionel was predeceased by his parents, six siblings and his youngest daughter Kyla; he is survived by his younger brother Leslie (Val), first wife Diane and their children, Russell & Donna.
Pat will be eternally grateful to fellow miner Dr John Penhall and the palliative care team for all their care and support.
The BC Children's Hospital Foundation was his stated charity, should you wish to make a donation.
There will be a Gathering in the Spring when we will share" tall tales" of this remarkable individual. He will be missed.
So long Captain. Meet you on the far shore.