Tribute

In loving memory of Gene Foss

September 19, 1944 – July 19, 2024

Our treasured Gene died at home in the care of his beloved wife Lorna, with whom he celebrated his 57th wedding anniversary almost a month before. Diagnosed with advanced cancer in early 2021, Gene would like anyone reading this who has northern European ancestry to please test your blood for high ferritin levels and proceed to genetic testing and treatment for Hemochromatosis if needed.

Gene is survived by Lorna, his children Chantell and Chay Foss, their spouses Justin Straker and Aimee Foss, and his grandchildren Kell and Garnett Straker and Skyla, Gavin and Bowden Foss. Also by his aunt and uncle Fannie and Grant Campbell, his cousins Robyn Beyersbergen, Laurie Wilson, and Neil Campbell, and his nephew Tylor Fox. He was fully integrated into Lorna’s large family in life, and is mourned by many relations and friends, old and new.

Born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Gene grew up mostly on his grandparents’ farm, where he befriended and became very gifted with animals, and established his lifelong devotion to intergenerational love and service. As a teenager he learned to fly from one of the only female instructors in western Canada and piloted small planes from Edmonton fresh out of high school.

Denied a career as a commercial pilot, he attended SAIT in Calgary and migrated to Vancouver in the 60s to begin his lifelong career as a skilled technician for CPAir/Canadian/Air Canada, marry his first love, and live until 2000 in Tsawwassen.

Gene built a lovely, one-of-a-kind boat in the family yard in the 70s, still a sturdy little ship, sold only in his dying days. He spent almost endless hours on Cheena. Navigating and loving the Salish Sea and surrounding coastal territories with family and friends was his great joy. His membership and friendships at Maple Bay Yacht Club were important in his life.

Gene was grateful to live his last 24 years in Cowichan territory. He made heartfelt friends with neighbours and acquaintances in his time in Sahtlam and on Sherman Road. He gardened, he scavenged, fixed, and created things, he helped everyone he could, and he was an unbelievably hands-on, caring, teaching grandpa. He deeply appreciated the Cowichan watershed’s beauty and preciousness.

If you are moved to remember Gene through a donation, please give to Cowichan Valley Youth Services in his name. You can use this web page: https://cvyouth.ca/donate/  or call 250-748-0232. In his dying years and his last days, Gene openly grieved our society’s failure to support children, young people, and all those in our communities who find themselves without stability, protectors, and homes.

Thank you to B.C. Cancer Agency in Victoria for Gene’s remarkable treatment in the last 3.5 years.

Thank you to the home care nurses and to doctors Adzich and Masuda who supported Gene’s palliative care at home.

Thank you to HW Wallace Cremation and Burial for helping Gene and his family through his last earthly needs.