It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our dad and poppa at the Royal Jubilee Hospital on January 27, 2020 with his loving daughter, Cherlynn and son-in-law, Rob by his side. Whitey was predeceased by his beautiful bride of 64 years, Betty-May. Whitey is survived by his daughter, Cherlynn (Rob) and grandchildren, Erik and Hayley. When it came to his family dad was a man filled with pride and never failed to show us how much he loved, supported and believed in us!
Whitey will also be greatly missed by so many close friends and their families, his new friends from Cherish Living, as well as his nieces and nephews and their families.
Whitey was born in New Westminster and became passionate about playing lacrosse at a young age and went on to have an extensive lacrosse career which included playing for the Victoria Shamrocks from 1951 to 1963. Highlights of dad’s lacrosse career included becoming an Honoured Member of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1970 and he was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
One of the most prestigious honours bestowed upon dad was having the Shamrocks retire his No. 8 jersey and hang his No. 8 from the rafters at the Q Centre.
Dad’s career highlights include becoming a Victoria Firefighter in 1953 and retiring as Deputy Fire Chief in 1985. Dad also gave back to his community in so many ways. He served as a Saanich alderman from 1972 to 1979 and a Victoria City alderman in 1987. Whitey was also one of the original co-owners of the Monkey Tree Pub. As well, dad was an instrumental member of the bid committee that landed Victoria the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
Thank you to Dr. Marie Skinnider for her years of medical care provided to dad.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.
Due to the current Covid19 outbreak we are postponing Whitey’s Celebration of Life until further notice. When our world is healthy again we will look forward to having the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate Whitey’s well-lived life”.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Garden
www.mccallgardens.com
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Maggie (Marjorie) Barrett
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John and Marilyn Bate To the Severson Family:
We are sorry to learn of Whitey’s passing.
What a busy and active life he lived. All well done.
We are grateful our paths crossed in life and the good memories live on forever.
Our Sincere Sympathy to all of the Family.
John and Marilyn Bate
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Bob Wheaton Unfortunately I am going to be out of town and will miss Whitey’s celebration of life. I first met him as a teenager when he, Bill McColl, Andy Hebenton, and I were in a fashion show together, modelling sportswear for W&J Wilson (circa 1958). That began a long series of happy memories, one of which was the key role he and George Jones played in getting the 1994 Commonwealth Games awarded to Victoria.
They asked to have lunch with me at the Union Club one day, and finally got around to asking me what I thought of their crazy idea (which Ken Shields had first touted). I agreed they were crazy but as lunch progressed I became persuaded that perhaps it could be done. Each week after that, we met at George’s office for lunch and invited one person in to join us and test their response to the idea. One by one we convinced people to support the idea and finally we decided to go for it.
I managed to persuade Mel Cooper that he should present our bid for the Canadian city of choice and Whitey was absolutely ecstatic that we now had the makings of a successful enterprise. The time and effort that he and George put into winning that bid and then lobbying for the international nod were gold medal performances all on their own.
Whitey’s unending enthusiasm, many contributions, and amazing drive will be sadly missed. He was a great guy.
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Sue Cherlynn, Rob and Family,
So sorry to hear of Whiteys passing, I met him about 6 years ago and became friends. We got to chatting over coffee and realized we had more than the love of lacrosse in common. Turns out Whitey worked with my father in law Roy Chudleigh at the Victoria Fire Department.(lots of fun story were shared). I spoke with him on the night his jersey was being retired. He told me he loved it when I waved my Shamrock Flag. I told him not to worry that I would wave it during his jersey retirement.Whitney gracefully thanked me and I even got a kiss on the cheek. During last years Mann Cup I decided to start getting my flag signed, I was sure to get Whiteys signature first. It certainly will not be the same not seeing him next season, but as I will look to the rafters and see #8 Severson ,memories will flood back. RIP Friend, Sue Chudleigh
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W. Paul Hansen When those we love depart this world and leave us here to pine, the empty space they leave behind and darkness intertwine. Hope’s candle is no longer lit, yet deep inside we know, that they would smile and quietly urge us to let them go. I have very fond memories of Whitey on A Group during my brief time at the VFD in the mid-1970’s.
I have only come across this obituary for Whitey and an very saddened for your loss. Many memories of both Whitey and Betty-May during the Lacrosse years when I was a child eagerly stashing lacrosse balls he and/or Gordie Johnson gave me. Whitey and Betty-May’s kindness and love they bestowed to my Mum (Rene Britton) as her health and age diminished I’ve never forgotten. She loved them so much. They were the kindest people I’ve ever met.
Blessing.