Donald Bateman Hope

Born in 1926 and raised in Victoria, BC, Don developed an enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoors from his mother, Mysie, with whom he spent summers camping in and around Sooke, Cambell River and many other favourite locations on Vancouver Island. With his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, Don made many fond childhood memories. Especially dear to him were the adventures shared with his uncle Keith, who was close in age and more like a brother. Don attended University School where he graduated in 1943 before joining the Merchant Navy and later the Royal Canadian Navy. He was one of the early members of the Fleet Diving Unit and served on both the east and west coasts of Canada. It was while stationed in Halifax he met and married Laura Black in 1967 followed by the birth of his daughter Janice and son David. In 1970 Don was involved in the underwater oil recovery operation from the wreckage of the SS Arrow. He was later awarded the Order of Military Merit for his efforts with the salvage operation. Donald and Laura then moved their family back west to Victoria in 1974. Don continued with the Diving Unit and later retired after 41 years of naval service. In retirement he retained his love of the sea as a member of the Thermopylae Club and was also an active member of All Saints Anglican Church in View Royal. Don enjoyed morning walks in Uplands Park where he took a keen interest in the wellbeing of the resident humming birds. His morning routine was to eat an apple along the way. He was often followed by a seagull eagerly waiting to receive the apple core. Donald died in the early hours of Thursday, September 30th at Veteran’s Memorial Lodge in Victoria. Predeceased by his parents Mysie (Douglass) and Geoffrey Hope, he is survived by his wife Laura, daughter Janice (Michael Wale), son David (Rhonda Farnham), grandson Matthew Wale and granddaughter Jocelyn Wale. Don will be missed by his family and all who knew him as a kind, thoughtful and patient man.