Born January 18, 1937 in Calgary, Alberta; passed away September 18, 2019 in Victoria, BC.
Miles is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances; daughters, Sally Forseth (Alan Fyfe) and Tia Primrose (Vaughn McColl); granddaughter, Charlie Kocurek; niece, Anne Williams (Matt), sons Miles and Toby; nephew-in-law, Doug Grant and son, Rory.
Dad was actively involved in his community through sponsorship of youth sports teams, the Gordon Head Kiwanis, Camosun College Foundation Board, Saanich Police Board, and Sidney Anglers. He was a 1955 Mount Doug grad and continued to meet his classmates for lunch every month.
Being an experienced automotive mechanic with good business sense, Dad bought Gordon Head Shell from Mel Dennstedt, and carried on with the gold standard Mel had set for customer service, for the next 30 years. Miles employed many of the local kids, often being their first boss, sometimes twice! Miles and Fran then went on to create Tires Unlimited, with a very loyal and hardworking team, for the next 25 years.
Through their membership with Capital City Yacht Club, they had years of boating. Great years were spent at their cabin on Piers Island. He was one of the many active volunteers and donors on the PIA and the PIID.
Miles was proud of his granddaughter, Charlie. He believed strongly in education and supported not only her goals, but those of many others.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 11 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, Royal Oak location, 4665 Falaise Drive.
Fran has asked for no flowers, please.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Grant Aldous
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Matt Rasmussen Dear Fran,
I’m sorry that (the other) Miles and I can’t be there right now, but our thoughts are with you. All of us loved Miles dearly. We’ll miss him so very much.
Our best wishes go out to you, and to Charlie, and to all of your friends and your family.
Matt and Miles
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Gerry Kristianson Miles made a lasting impression though his many contributions to the Piers Island community. It was my privilege to work with him on countless island projects. Fran and family can take solace from the fact that he will always be remembered as someone his Piers neighbors could count on. An example to all of us.
Gerry Kristianson
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Sandy and Bob Brunham Dear Fran and Family
Miles will be deeply missed on Piers Island. He was a “fixture”, riding his lawn mower while cutting the grass in the orchard and fields, always doing his share to help out. We will miss his big smile and positive words he had for everyone. The Primrose contributions are seen everywhere on Piers. Miles was so generous. So many good memories of a lovely man. Thinking of all of you and sending hugs,
Sandy and Bob
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Sandy Seabrook Fran and family …
I am so very sorry to hear of Miles’ passing . Miles will be deeply missed by Family , Friends and Customers. This has been a challenging year of loss ….. the one Gift Of Advice that I can offer to You is to Let Your Loved Ones Help You on this very difficult journey..
Sending My Love
Sandy Seabrook
WestCoast Tire
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Catherine Marney Dear Fran and family,
We will always remember Miles’ warm smile, kindness and generosity. I know it’s cliche, but we are all a little bit poorer for his passing. Sending love and condolences.
Sincerely,
Catherine, Craig and Brendan Marney
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Rolfe McCooey How does one sum up a man, a man I knew briefly, but well, in the last few years of his very full, amazing life? Miles was energetic, humorous, and incredibly generous. That is a huge part of the man.
When I drove him around town on his many errands (he called it Driving Miss Daisy), particularly anywhere near auto industry businesses, I witnessed another part: people would walk out their doors to shake Miles’ hand and say a warm hello, reminisce and share a laugh with him. They talked to him with respect and admiration, and he was always gracious and appreciative. These sweet, frequent interactions told me so much more about Miles the man.
He used to say, “You made my day.” Well, Miles, you made my day, too. I miss you, my friend. Blessings to Fran, Tia and Sally, all such wonderful people.
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Steve Cruise Dear Fran
Miles was a man who made a difference. Our small Gulf Island Community would not be the wonderful place it is today without the dedication and contributions of Miles. Your husband thought of everyone else first. And that is the lasting memory we will keep of him.
Love Steve and Pauline
Piers Island
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Don Rose I am truely sorry to see Miles go. He was a very good man and influenced me greatly as a young man. My condolences to the entire family.
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don & Bess Ward We are deeply saddened by the passage of Miles. We shall miss him greatly every time we visit. He was always cheerful, loved exchanging jokes, and was always full of energy.
Bess and Don
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Noni Baanstra Hi Frances, I’m so sorry to hear Bim has passed away – he was a good friend going back to 1957 – it’s hard to believe the years have flown as they have and are now memories – Your wedding is still a lovely memory and hard to believe it was 59 years ago ! We visited you the first year of your marriage in your own home and our Julie was only 4 months old – It’s been a good decision to stay in the Victoria area and wonderful seeing you both at some of the great dances we all went to – The Policeman’s Ball in U-Vic was just one we celebrated with you both. I wish you and your family well and hope the sadness brings a smile just thinking of the incredible Island oceanfront you owned and the good luck you had giving birth to two beautiful daughters and your wonderful life together – Sincerely, Noni Baanstra
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Ashley Highton Dear Fran and Family,
I was saddened to learn of Miles passing. It has certainly been a while since working the pumps at the Shelbourne & Mackenzie Shell station during the Summers of 87 & 88 but it is still a time I look back on with fondness. It was always a pleasure to interact with the kindness of any of the Primrose family then and since. I have only great, fun memories of Miles.
With sincere condolences,
Ashley Highton
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Sue Mead Dear Fran
Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this very difficult time.
Sue and Dave Mead
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Beverley Highton Dear Fran and Family,
Pam and I were very saddened to learn of Miles passing.
We have many fond memories of him. We recall him working at Mel Dennsteds Shell station at Shelbourne and Ruby Rd (now McKenzie). Fast forward to when our son Ashley had one of his first jobs as a gas jockey at the station. I can’t recall how many sets of tires we got thru Tires Unlimited but a lot!
Miles was a true Gentleman in every sense of the word.
Please know that you are in our thoughts at this difficult time.
Unfortunately we will be with our family in Calgary at the time of the Memorial.
With deepest Sympathy.
Pam and Bev
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Dawn Talia Keegan & Ivan Ward We are so sorry for your loss. We will all miss “Uncle Miles”. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
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George Cuppage One of the most well liked people in the auto industry here in Victoria. Miles made going to work a pleasure, a rare quality he had. Going to visit Miles made the day in my book, he set an example for the rest of us to follow.
It’s a sad time but just remembering Miles and his friendship still makes my day.
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Tracy Brent (Herndier) I’m very saddened to hear of Miles passing, please accept my deepest condolences. Fran, I remember the very first time I met you and Miles. You took Tia and I to Wok with Yan in Coquitlam and I remember having many, many laughs that night. Good memories. I’m sure Miles is somewhere else making others laugh the same way. You are all in my thoughts during this time.
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L. McGregor Dear Fran
Please accept our condolences for Miles. Hope to visit with you sometime soon.
Jock and Lynda McGregor
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Linda (Lewis) Waterton Dear Fran and Family…
In the stories and memories, in the laughter and love, in the tears and hugs, take heart for a life well-lived and a husband and father much loved.
With sincere sympathy…
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Drew We are very sorry for this great loss. Miles was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He was so loving and a great sense of humour. Take care of each other.
with love,
Drew & Jeremy Dell
My sincerest condolences to Fran, Sally, Tia, and the rest of the Primrose family. It was my great pleasure to work for Miles and Fran in the Gordon Head Shell days and Miles is remembered as a kind, patient, and honourable man, who gave many young men and women an early step into the world of employment. He was a very wise and special man to work for and with, and I was saddened to hear of his recent passing. Godspeed, Miles Primrose. Heaven is fortunate to have you.