Dacre "Dake" Hamilton Pinckney Powell

It is with great sadness that we announce the profound loss of our treasured father at the age of 91. While his mind was sharp as a tack, his body was no longer able to support him. He passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022. Our world will never be the same without him.

He is survived by his three daughters Donna Lynn Beaudry, Carolyn Joy Eppich (Robert), and Lisa Diane Van Vliet (Edward). After having grandchildren (Kelsey Dawn, Christina Dorthea, Bryn Adrien, Rebecca Maria, Kyle Marinus, and Tianna Dawn), and then great-grandchildren (Meta Athea Fae, Aubrey Lynn, Aiya Emery Rae, and Dacre Cameron), he regularly remarked how important family is. It was clear that he felt tremendous joy interacting and watching all the little ones grow. Also left to grieve his loss are his loving nieces and their families, as well as extended family in Canada, Ireland, England, Wales, Paris, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.A.

Dacre was born in Cranbrook, B.C. on May 15th, 1931, to proud parents Henry (Harry) Alfred (Pat) Powell and Dorothea Pinckney Snowden Powell. The youngest of three children, Dacre grew up in small-town Creston, B.C., later moving to Victoria to finish High School. He is predeceased by his brother Hawkshaw William (Bill) Powell, and beloved sister, Dorothea (Do) Ursula Wiens.

After graduating from Oak Bay High School in Victoria, Dacre studied engineering at the University of British Columbia. Dacre’s first job following university was as a Land Surveyor for McElhanney Engineering. It was in this role that he would meet his future wife, (Florence) Dawn Looney. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Dawn worked as a receptionist at McElhanney where she was set up on a date with our dad and the rest is history. They were married in Vancouver, B.C. on August 10th, 1957. Their honeymoon was, coincidentally, a stay at the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel.

Both Dacre and Dawn raised their three girls in Surrey, B.C. They would spend the next 38 years happily married, enjoying the good life with family, welcoming grandchildren and travelling. Together they visited Hawaii, Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Arizona and Mexico. Dawn passed away after a long battle with cancer in 1995. It was such a tremendous loss for our family.

An interesting fact people may not know about Dacre is that he had his pilot’s license. He would often fly float planes when he worked with McElhanney Engineering. There was a time when Dacre considered flying commercial planes for a living. Throughout Dacre’s career as a Land Surveyor, his job often took him away from home. He travelled all over British Columbia, Canada and overseas with his work. In the 1970’s, his work took him to Saudi Arabia for three months surveying for Microwave tower installation followed by a two month stint later that year. His family missed him terribly but he in remained in contact by recording cassettes that his colleagues would bring back and forth for him. He continued to do similar contract work throughout B.C. for years and into retirement.

As a true entrepreneur, Dacre witnessed Land Surveyors searching titles and plans at the Land Title Office before heading into the field and saw an opportunity. In 1974, he established Powell Research Ltd. a title search company specializing in Land Survey and Historical Searches (one being the Expo Line from Surrey to Vancouver). It became apparent that Dacre's real passion lay here, and this is where he would work until he retired successfully at the age of 60. Powell Research remains active to this day.

During retirement, Dacre spent many years traveling back and forth to Yuma, Arizona with Dawn and later with his partner in crime, Sharon Bruce. They loved the heat, organizing street parties, laughs over cards, and garage-saling with their guests and American friends. Sadly, Sharon passed away suddenly in December of 2021.

Dacre spent as much time as he could at his beloved cabin on Harrison Lake. He especially loved canoeing, boating, puttering with projects, and spending quality time with family and friends. An avid outdoorsman and Jack-of-all-Trades sort, at the cabin, you could always count on Dacre to be fixing something—whether it be the satellite dish, his dumb waiter, a motor, or his infamous suspension bridge—he was always keeping busy. Dacre valued a good game of golf, a convincing debate and long drives to and from Yuma. You would often find him enjoying a drink of Canadian Club Rye Whiskey (water on the side) accompanied by Lays potato chips and a hot dog.

Dacre had an incredible personality; he was easy to get along with, and quick to laugh. He was a great conversationalist—curious, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Dacre will be truly missed by his family and all those who knew him. He will forever be remembered for his congenial personality and distinctive laugh. As friends would often say, “he always greeted you with a smile and a chuckle”.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to our Dad’s amazing family and friends for their unwavering support in his health and well-being right to the end. Thank you to the doctors, nurses, and administrative staff at Royal Columbian Hospital for their dedication to Dad’s health, and for all their consideration and support. (Dr. Ruth Demian & Dr. Selig Wilansky)

A Celebration of Life will be held at Morgan Creek Golf Course, 3500 Morgan Creek Way, Surrey, B.C. on Saturday, January 28th, 2023 from 1 - 5 pm.

The service will be available online via Zoom. If you’d like to attend, invites can be sent by email. Please contact Lisa Van Vliet directly for a link.