Timothy George O’Connor

After a valiant battle with first chronic illness and then cancer, Tim died in his home with his wife at his side. He leaves his loving wife Deborah George, stepson Geoff and his partner Christine and daughter Zoe; and beloved sister Penny Lindsay in Vancouver with nieces Kelly and Timmi, and great-nephew Joe.

He also leaves Deborah’s nieces and nephews and their families who embraced him as he embraced, loved and worried about them. Uncle Tim was legendary for the stories that emerged around the dinner table. As one young family member put it “he could pose something so resolute with such structure and wit, it was a joy to be enlightened in those moments!” a true raconteur.

Dogs were a part of Tim’s life since childhood and he also leaves Charlie, who sat patiently by his bed throughout caregiving.

Born in Vancouver, Tim had fond memories of growing up in the University Endowment Lands with his adored big sister. He was a man of formidable intelligence, and a voracious reader of non-fiction, but mildly dyslexic despite which he was once accused of cheating at UBC because of an almost photographic memory. His time at UBC was legendary as he and his friends were the 1968 UBC Human Government slate, “a bunch of hippies” that ran against the engineers’ slate and to their surprise won. Suddenly they had offices, a budget, and secretaries and so they quickly inhabited the boardroom with pizza and beer and said “now what?” Tim was assigned responsibility for events so set about bringing in speakers like Jerry Rubin (who led Tim and many others to occupy the then Faculty Club) and Moshe Dayan, and acts like Boz Scaggs and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. He loved music, especially the blues, the more obscure the performer the better. He once tracked down T-Model Ford to his home in Mississippi by phone to tell him how much he appreciated his music. The family will remember him as we play his eclectic collection of vinyl.

Tim completed law school at UBC but quickly realized that life in a law office was not for him so continued his sideline of investing in real estate until he fell in love with a house in Victoria (which was to remain his home for over 40 years) that was almost beyond his grasp. So, how to buy that and then support himself? He saw a small private island advertised for sale, scraped together financing and the rest was history. He researched and reinvented himself as a Gulf Islands expert buying, owning and then selling private islands for years and in later life served as a resource for realtors in the business.

He was an incredible “student” and a true collector from a young age. No matter what the interest area, before immersing himself in new collecting endeavours, he never took the easy route, but always became proficient before diving in. Provenance was often more important than appearance. He was passionate about his interests and forged lasting international friendships based on those interests.

He did not suffer fools gladly, in fact not at all, but if you were a real, true and honest person his loyalty was unwavering. He had friends from all walks of life and many such wonderful friends from his youth. For a man who loved nothing more than a fine dinner with interesting friends (involving some sort of beef, a good red wine, and cognac to finish) the inability to socialize over the last five years was a hard one.

Tim will be remembered for his quick and often sharp wit, vast intelligence, curiosity, thoughtful kindness, loyalty to good friends and sometimes mischievous ways. As many have said, he was unique, we think they meant eccentric.

“I have had a very good run and got to live on my own terms”

Tim received care from so many gifted and caring professionals but in particular the family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Singh and Amanda, the team at BC Cancer Agency Victoria especially Dr. Kevin Wade, the community health nurses, nurse Wilma Loberg, our community respiratory therapist Kelly Vassiliadis, and the truly wonderful members of Victoria Hospice PRT.

In lieu of flowers, should you wish to make a donation Tim requested the BC Cancer Agency Victoria, Victoria Hospice or the SPCA. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com