Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce chairman Paul Walkey died on Saturday at his home. He was 59 years old.
Chamber CEO Evelyn Clark said in a release Sunday she was reporting the news "with great sadness."
Walkey grew up in Toronto and attended the University of Guelph. Clark said Paul's true passion was funeral service. He started working at Furtney's Funeral Home in Toronto when he was only 16 and throughout his varied career has always gravitated back to caring for grieving families.
To Paul's delight in 2009 he, along with his wife, Bev, moved permanently to Vancouver Island where, since first visiting back in the 1980, he had always wished to retire, according to Clark.
After working for another funeral home for 18 months, Paul and Bev decided to open the Qualicum Beach Funeral Centre and on August 1, 2010 they opened their doors to serve the families of their new community.
Since moving to Qualicum Beach, Paul became a volunteer in the community. Paul was known for helping out just about everywhere, from playing piano at the local churches and senior homes, joining the local Rotary Club, to becoming the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. Paul took great pride in being nominated as one of Qualicum Beach's top three volunteers of the year 2014.
"The Board and staff of the Chamber of Commerce and the community of Qualicum Beach are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Paul Walkey, our Chair person," said Oura Giakoumakis, the vice-chair of the chamber. "Paul was an amazing man, working hard in the community, and making his place in Qualicum Beach. Our deepest sympathy for Paul's wife, Bev and all of their family. Our thoughts are with them at this time."
The service for Paul Walkey will take place on Saturday, June 28 at Saint Stephen's United Church in Qualicum Beach at 2 p.m.
— NEWS Staff/Qualicum Beach
Chamber of Commerce