April 2, 1947 - April 16, 2023
Wayne was born in Regina, Saskatchewan to Delia Strandlund (nee Jordens) and adopted by Bert Strandlund. He spent his young formative years on the family farm in Broadview, Saskatchewan until August of 1962 when Bert and Delia packed up a station wagon with 7 kids, an uncle and the family dog and drove to Victoria, BC. Wayne resided in Victoria ever since.
Wayne’s pride and joy were his children, Jason (Hannah and Ty), Hali (Darren, children Cole and Nicholas) and Rafer (Vicky, children Chelsea (Katie), Jasmine and the newest addition great grandson Fletcher) who all worked together at the family company. Fisgard is a true family enterprise that he was extremely proud of.
Wayne was fortunate to have known many people but there were a few who wrapped their arms around him throughout various stages of his life. Terry Orr, Bob Herr, Lawrence and Diana Russel, the Paniz family (Umberto, Dawn and children Allissa, Jessica, Arianna and Kiarra), Tania Miller, Stephanie Ustina, Elena Markos and Lorraine Strandlund.
Wayne’s large family included five brothers and two sisters. Alvin (Lorri), Terry (Teresa), Darlene, Randy (Lori), Paddy (Sue), Trevor (Kim), and Gail, along with numerous beloved uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.
Wayne was an entrepreneur at heart and a deep thinker with many interests. He was passionate about music, writing, mathematics, education, hockey, football (a proud coach of the BC Champion Victoria Hornets in the early 80s) and gardening. He loved cats (especially Moosh Moosh) and a good ol’ toasted bologna and cheese sandwich. While he enjoyed the simple things in life, he was complicated, emotional and always ready for a good debate or fight if warranted.
Not one to sit on the sidelines Wayne served as President and/or Director of numerous associations including the Victoria Real Estate Board, British Columbia Real Estate Board, Real Estate Council Of BC, the BC Notary Society and served as Chancellor of Royal Roads University, a position he was extremely proud of. His dedication also flowed to the arts and local community enthusiastically supporting the Victoria Symphony and many other related organizations.
Wayne was quietly proud of his Metis heritage. His great Aunt Marguerite Belhumeur was wife to Louis Riel, founding father of Manitoba and from Paris his 13th great grandfather, Louis Hebert, was the first apothecary of Canada and settler of Quebec. A very interesting family history.
There is so much more to share about this icon of a man and words can not describe how much he brought to our lives and how much he will be missed. His legacy will continue!
Please join us at 2:30 pm on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in the Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, to celebrate the life of this incredible man.
Should you wish to honour Wayne’s legacy, donations can be made to the Wayne Strandlund Award for Indigenous and Metis Students at Royal Roads University or the Victoria Symphony Society.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the Strandlund family.
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