Trevor Maxwell Anderson

October 22, 1920 – March 4, 2024

Trev joined his beloved wife, Flo (nee Drader) on a new adventure after 72 years of marriage. He leaves behind a legacy of inventive spirit, humour, and honourable integrity to his children: Garry (Phyllis), Stan (Janet), Beth, Adrienne (Jeff), grandchildren: Jason (Cathy), Trevor (pre-deceased), Steven (Brandi), Chase, Ethan (Keli), Mikayla. Great grandchildren: Chenelle (Travis), Kassi, Taylar (Michael), Race, Maggie, Katy, Molly Belle. Great great grandchildren: Cyrus, Chevelle, Gage.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan to Bess (nee Gothard) and Ernest (Andy) Anderson from England, Trev at age six, along with his siblings Dek (Jackie), Betty (Fred), and Jerry (Gladys) moved to the Francois Lake area to farm, then Shawnigan Lake as a teen and Victoria BC,

Besides being mechanically adept and dexterous, he was athletic; skating, skiing, swimming, canoing, playing lacrosse, hunting and fishing. His adventurous nature led him to three years flying on 55 bombing missions as radio operator and gunner in North Africa in WWII. On his fourth mission his plane was shot down into the Mediterranean and he barely escaped from the sinking plane. Medals and ribbons honour his services. He continued flying and then being a radar operator with RCAF until 1960 in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and BC.

His next risky and unusual undertaking was becoming a lightkeeper for twenty years. The five different lightstations he manned (and rescued mariners) spanned the entire Pacific coast of BC from just south of the Alaskan border to outside of Victoria BC: Lennard Island, Barrett Rock, McInnis Island, Green Island and Race Rocks.

At Race Rocks Lightstation, his next heroic feat was to build a 55 ft two masted sailboat while on a lighthouse. Besides never having built a yacht before, all materials had to be brought by boat. But by reaching out and getting help, Wawa was launched in 1982 for Flo and Trev to begin a boater’s life for the next twelve years.

They practised sailing in Salish Seas waters before circumnavigating Vancouver Island. Then they headed out to open Pacific waters navigating their way to Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand and back. Travelling by wind to Haida Gwaii was next on their list. Besides being brave and able to handle difficult situations like losing fuel and sails, their friendliness and generosity welcomed over 1200 people for a sail on Wawa.

Trev’s affability made him a James Bay community phenomenon in his recognizable black fisherman hat in the last years of his life, as he sat on the porch waving and talking with neighbours, enjoying treats brought to him, watching his many feathered friends….

The family would like to thank the medical staff headed by Dr. Rosenberg and caregivers for their utmost care and compassion over the past few years especially his main caregivers Joanne Griffey, Michelle Sterzenbach, also Naomi Lowden who joined the team in July and exceptionally his daughter, Adrienne and husband, Jeff, who moved closer and then lived with Trev to provide him in many, many ways with his best life at home until the very end.

We, as a family, miss you Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Trev.

There will be a celebration of life Saturday, June 8, 2024 2 – 4 pm at 576 Niagara Street, Victoria, BC.