Rick passed away after a short but courageous battle with Bulbar ALS on July 8, 2024. He was born to Ruth & Stephen Salaga on March 19, 1955, in Victoria, BC. He is survived by his wife, Miseon Goh, whom he adored, his mother Ruth, his brother Stephen (wife Hsiufang) Salaga, his sisters Debbie Gregory (husband Norman Lee), Cathy (husband Paul) Ryan, and Carolyn (husband Ernie) Rutherford along with his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.
He met and married his love, Miseon, here in Victoria. Together they enjoyed life to its fullest, traveling to South Korea, and working on their house and garden in Saanichton. A big part of Rick’s life was a love of nature, birds, and squirrels. Rick was a very kind, loving, caring, and generous soul. A tremendously positive person, with such quick wit that kept everyone in laughter. An amazing husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed by all family and friends.
As a child he had an inquisitive mind in wanting to learn how everything mechanical worked, with one of his favourite reading materials being the magazine ‘Popular Mechanics’. This carried into his career where he became a machinist at his Grandpa Smith’s company, Smith Brothers Foundry, located here on Pembroke Street. This passion of learning led him to launch his own CNC machining company, Custom Machining, on Keating X Road in Saanichton. Clients quickly became close friends and everyone who met Rick knew he was a special person.
Not only was he highly regarded for his precision machining skills, he took it to another level with his hobbies. Rick had a passion for speed since he was young. In his early years, he spent time racing motocross motorcycles. This later evolved into building high-performance Ski boats and water skiing at Shawnigan Lake, where our family continues to spend their summers. He built a high-performance offshore boat so he could cruise the Gulf Islands and spend weekends on the water. This passion for speed and adventure continued throughout his life by riding both street and motocross motorcycles, with close friends, right up to the end. His pride and joy for street riding being an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100.
Rick is deeply loved, tremendously missed, and will forever be in our hearts.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Blaine Carmena
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Dale Welch I learned of Rick’s passing from Stephen. We all think we have lots of time, but suddenly were called home. Rick was one of the best men I’ve ever known, I recall a very precious time when I was with Rick in his ski boat that he had recently finished building, we were cruising along Cowichan Lake when Rick decided to show me how quick this boat would turn, I was used to power boats that banked, that is not staying flat as they turned, Rick told me to hang on. But me, being young I looked at him and said yeah right. Well Rick cranked the steering wheel and I flew out of the boat at about 50 miles an hour skipping across the lake, good thing we are were bulletproof when were young. I guess I learned then that when Rick told you to do something he’s not kidding around LOL. I’m happy to say I knew Rick well, and my entire family is going to miss him. The world just got a little lonelier and sadder. A Good man. Rest until I see you again .Dale Welch.
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Leo Vanderven I just learned today of Ricks passing
As a fellow machinist I had a great admiration for his high quality of precision work
And many times he helped me to machine a difficult job
Always asking me Leo, do you have time for coffee
I will miss those good times
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R.J. Hiney I had the good fortune to meet Rick with his Dad, Steven, on occasion when we discussed his machine shop.
It was kind of Steven to help Rick get started with assistance from Geo-Data.
I missed Rick in his later years.
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Scott and Linda McMorran Linda and I are deeply saddened by Rick’s passing. We often thought of him and our memories of the times we had together will be treasured. He gave us so many memories and he was always a their for you.
Please let us know if there is a service as we would appreciate being able to attend.Thanks for everything Rick! We will miss you!
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Susan and Duncan McIntyre We were saddened to hear of Ricks passing and are thinking of you Miseon . We have been fortunate to have you as wonderful neighbors. Rick had a great sense of humour and we enjoyed talking and laughing with him .Spending Halloween outside each year with Rick waiting for trick or treaters who he would always offer the whole bowl of treats to will always be a fond memory . That and his love of the squirrels and birds .
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Robert McColl and Theresa McColl I was saddened and surprised to read of Ricks passing. I did not see him often of late but thought of him often. We lived together for a couple of years in our younger years sharing a house and many laughs. Our early days were with motorcycles and boating activities at Shawnigan lake. To both Debbie and Steve (Bubbins) I am sorry for your loss and share in your grief. I did not know Rick’s wife but she was a lucky woman to be married to a caring person like Rick. I will miss him and continue to think of him often. Please advise if there is to be a service.
With my deepest sympathies
I recently returned to Victoria after a 4 month stint out of town. I stopped by Rick’s shop today for a coffee and heard the news. I was devastated. While Rick and I did not spend time together outside of the shop I regularly visited to have a coffee with him. I considered him to be a good friend and could spend hours talking to him. He was an amazing person and I will miss our talks. My condolences to all of you. Rick was an amazing person and the world is a lesser place without him.