Captain Patrick Smith Farley, 91, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2008 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital following complications from a recent a stroke. He is survived by daughters Patricia of Victoria and Barb (Mike Tighe) of Vancouver as well as sons Dan (John Lee) of New Jersey, Jerry (Laurie, Ryan, Michael) of Victoria, Tom (Debbie, Kris, Adam) of Calgary, Ken (Ingrid, Alan, Darren) of Calgary and Larry (Casey) of Hong Kong. His daughter Bunny passed away in 2006 and his son Robbie in 1963.
Pat was a loving husband and father, a respected pilot with the B.C. Coast Pilots and an adored grandfather of six boys.
A native of Calgary, Pat moved to British Columbia with his family as a young man and quickly gained an appreciation of the sea. On his sixteenth birthday, his first day of eligibility, he joined the Powell River Company as a mess boy and began working on tugboats.
He met his beloved wife Barbara when she was working in the sewing department of a Powell River department store. They married in 1942 and devoted themselves to building a family. Their first of nine children, Bunny, was born the next year. In 1953 they moved to Athlone Drive in Victoria where Pat honed his gardening skills – he was particularly proud of his raspberries – and became adept at repairing windows shattered by errant hockey pucks and baseballs. His 46-year marriage to Barbara was full of love and humor amid the joy and chaos of raising a large family. Barbara predeceased him in 1988.
Pat thoroughly enjoyed his 50-year career. At age 25 he was appointed Captain and in 1953 proudly joined the B.C. Coast Pilots. After retiring in 1981 he could often be found lunching with friends and relatives throughout Victoria. He kept in touch with colleagues during regular meetings and meals with members of the Ancient Mariners, often accompanied by his daughter Patricia.
Pat received exceptional, compassionate care from the doctors and nurses during his stay on 3 Royal at the Royal Jubilee for which the family is eternally grateful. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the hospital or another worthy charity.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 4040 Nelthorpe St., Victoria BC, with The Reverend Father Sean Flynn and Monsignor Michael Lapierre, Celebrants. Reception to follow at Church Hall.
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