Islwyn Davies passed away at the Victoria Hospice on August 27, 2023, following a brief bout with cancer. He was 82. He leaves behind his daughter, Jackie (Brent); son, Andy (Tania); grandchildren, Ben, Chad, Chesley and Luke; as well as Christine Bell, his very best friend of the last 10 years; and a lifetime’s accumulation of friends across the world. He was predeceased by Win, his loving wife of 50 years. His liberally-dispensed words of wisdom on life, home improvements and technical projects will be sorely missed by all. He was, after all, always right.
Islwyn was born August 3, 1941 in Ebbw Vale, Wales and was the only child of Benjamin Davies and Katherine Rees. He spoke only Welsh until he started school and, at the age of 12, was accepted into the local technical school, where his life-long passion for engineering projects and problem-solving began. To further his technical training he moved to Rugby, England in the early ‘60s, where he met and married the love of his life, Win.
Islwyn wore many hats during his career but was primarily a rotating equipment engineer. In 1973 he took a position with a British firm to work on a project based in Mexico City. This opportunity provided a better life for the whole family and was the start of Win and Islwyn’s exploring the world. After Mexico, Canada became their new home: Montreal briefly, then Cochrane/Calgary for many years. An RV was acquired for thorough exploration of Alberta, BC and south as far as San Diego, summer and winter!
Win and Islwyn became empty-nesters by their mid-40s and the decades that followed were the best years of their lives. In 1991 they moved to the Victoria, BC, area where Islwyn designed and built their dream home in Dean Park. This home was truly a gift to Win with his love for her evident in the fine craftsmanship, space for family to visit, and the Rolls Royce parked in the garage. During this time, work required travel to Alberta, San Diego, Brazil and Alaska. Win was at his side whenever possible, and they took every opportunity they had to travel purely for enjoyment, often with friends and extended family. If there was a beautiful beach to walk on and some fine dining to be had, they were happy.
Their empty nest years included cherished time with grandchildren. Ben, Chad, Chesley and Luke were lucky to have young and enthusiastic grandparents. Many a good memory was made at Island View beach, during driving lessons on the ride-on mower in the yard, and on morning (race) walks in Oak Bay. Islwyn was a tireless cheerleader of each and every grandchild and dispensed many priceless words of advice and encouragement.
A move to Oak Bay in 2005 gave them more time to enjoy life, while still providing space for Islwyn’s creativity and skill in home renovation. Islwyn was heartbroken to lose Win in 2012; they were still very much in love.
In his final 5 years, he lived at Goodwin Manor, making new friends and substantial contributions to the maintenance and upgrade of the building, for which many are grateful.
Islwyn would be happy if you remembered the last time you shared a laugh with him and that you always “gotta have a plan” and a dream.
We are thankful for the care given to Islwyn by Dr Down, Dr Parhar, and the many compassionate folks at BC Cancer and the Victoria Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation or the Victoria Hospice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Yvonne Stone
-
Mike and Margaret Potter I first met Islwyn in December 1976 at Fluor Canada in Calgary, a few weeks after my wife Margaret and I had emigrated from the UK. Islwyn had heard that there was a new Brit in the office and wanted to introduce himself. We quickly hit it off and soon discovered that we had a connection in that we had both lived in Rugby England; in fact Islwyn had worked at the same company as my father. Islwyn didn’t work at Fluor for long before he moved on to other work but in that time we established enough of a friendship for him to invite Margaret and myself to his home in Cochrane where we met Win, Jackie and Andy. Having those family dinners, with Islwyn and Win, went a long way to helping Margaret and I settle in our new country. I have two particular distinct memories from this time. The first is the renovations he did to their home in Cochrane. I was astonished that someone would build an extension to his house and a garage by himself. The other memory is accompanying Islwyn on many lunch times, looking for a new car. It was great fun; he was a terrific negotiator. Over the years Margaret and I visited Islwyn and Win at many of their homes – they were frequently on the move. When they finally departed Calgary, the times we got together were less frequent but Islwyn always made a habit on contacting us when he was in Calgary. We also visited him at their homes on Vancouver Island. We are grateful for Islwyn and Win’s presence in our lives as their and our children grew up. They were more like family than friends.
Meeting Christine in Victoria made us happy he had found someone to enjoy and share this second and final stage in his life and we extend condolences to all – his family, Christine and friends throughout the world.
-
Carole & Gordon Cassie It is with deep sadness that we send our sincere condolences to Jackie & Andrew and their families on the passing of their father. Islywn will be truly missed, we will remember him for his lively and caring personality, always interested in his friends. He was our friend for 43 years, starting as our neighbour in Calgary and then on Vancouver Island. Our condolences to our friend Christine Bell, Islywn’s friend and companion the past 10 years.
-
Jean Howard Thinking of you all at this sad time. Love to you all, from Jean, Mick and family.
-
Jean and Bob Blackie Hello Jackie, We are so sorry to hear of Islwyn’s passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy to you, your family and to Christine. Islwyn was a wonderful, caring, funny and helpful friend to Bob and myself over the many years we had the pleasure to know him and Win. We met Islwyn and Win when we became neighbours in Dean Park enjoying our get togethers whenever they came home from their adventures. All our thoughts and best wishes are with you at this sad time.
Jean and Bob Blackie
-
Terry Bergen I am so deeply saddened to learn of Islwyn’s passing.
I met Islwyn and Win nearly 20 years ago through a work project, and we remained in touch over the years. Islwyn and I would get together for coffee every few months to chat about industry – even though he was retired he never stopped keeping up with current advancements in building technology, and it was great fun to discuss industry related news. However, his greatest joy came from talking about families and kids (and in his case, grandkids), and sharing updates of family activities, travel, graduations, etc. It meant a lot to me when he reached out to check on my family when my dad passed suddenly, and he shared his experience and wisdom following Win’s passing.
My deepest condolences to Jackie, Andy, Ben, Chad, Chesley and Luke (whom I’ve never met but feel like I know a little) and Christine. Islwyn will be missed by many, many people and I hope you can take a small measure of comfort in this difficult time knowing how good of a friend he was.
-
Pat payne Always good for a laugh.
Enjoyed our social time with with you and Christine,
Your skill, cooperation commitment to the welfare of the bullding certainly made my duties as a Strata Member very satisfying. I am glad you made all the right decisions!
Thank you.
-
Jeannette Genton May the gods be waiting for you with a good bottle of red. Your Goodwin Manor friends and neighbours already miss you.
-
Heather Midori Yamada, Victor Hori We are equally heart-broken and shocked by this sad news; Islwyn was our wonderful next door neighbour. Always perky and ‘newsy’ we leaned on Islwyn for his formidable skills, good cheer and knowledge. He will be missed I am sure by all his Goodwin neighbours and friends. Please accept our condolences to his loving family and close friends.
-
Raquel Ortiz Chesley, my prayers are with you and your family during this time. What an incredible gift from God your grandfather was and is to you all! What a legacy he leaves to you! Blessings!
-
Derek Ryder I’m terribly sorry for your loss. Islwyn was a wonderful, interesting man and a real force of nature. He was very fond of and protective of his children and grandchildren; they meant the world to him and vice versa. He was never short of advice, or slow to offer it, his talents or his skills. I know losing Win was very hard on him, and he never forgot her, but he was also strong enough to not let it hold him back. My sincere condolences to Jackie, Andy, Ben, Chad, Chesley and Luke. I know they will all miss him forever.
My deepest and most sincere condolences to all Islwyn’s family.
He and I were childhood sweethearts way beck when in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, UK.
We have written to each other for many years, comparing our different vocations in life and speaking about our families.
The last time Islwyn visited Wales, we met up in Swansea… he was staying with some cousins in that area… which was where his parents hailed from.
I will miss our ‘chats’ over emails. R.I.P my dear friend.. xx