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October 2, 1937 - September 15, 2022
In loving memory ~
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our beloved husband, father and grandfather.
Wayne had an inexhaustible joie de vivre and a lively sense of humour, and he enjoyed few things more than regaling an audience with his vast collection of personal anecdotes. He was a stoic at heart. One of Wayne's favourite mantras was "God, give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference", and being an instigator and instrument of change was one of the driving forces in his life.
Wayne moved to Nanaimo as a high school student, which is where he met the love of his life, Barb. He spent most of his working life as a fisheries technician at the Nanaimo Biological Station. In his time there he contributed to valuable marine research, made life-long friends, and had many adventures on the high seas that he documented in his memoirs.
When at home, Wayne worked tirelessly maintaining the family farm and the house he had designed and built himself. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, but his true passion was the environment. Since the 60's, Wayne spent countless hours working with the Nanaimo Fish & Game Club, the BC Wildlife Federation and other organizations to advocate for such environmental causes as conservation of fish and wildlife, and habitat preservation and restoration. He fought alongside other like-minded visionaries to create Maffeo Sutton Park and Piper's Lagoon Park. He was particularly proud of his work with the Nanaimo Fish Hatchery, reintroducing pink salmon to the Millstone River Estuary. One of his favourite late summer activities was to visit Maffeo Sutton Park to see if the pinks had come in to spawn.
When Wayne was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease soon after his retirement, he was determined not to let the disease slow him down. For over two decades he successfully fought that battle with indomitable courage and determination. But now his work here is done and his spirit has been released.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barb, who lovingly cared for Wayne until his final days, his daughters, Janine Crick (Dean), Glenda Harling (Mike), his granddaughter, Geli Crick (Pedro) and extended family. He also leaves to mourn many treasured friends, and in particular, Bob Morris, who has for so many years been a safe harbour in stormy seas.
Those who remember Wayne are asked to celebrate his life in their own way....raising a glass of their favourite drink in his memory or a walk in the woods would be quite appropriate.
A life well lived.
If desired, donations can be made to the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre.



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