On Sunday, February 2, 2020, while holding his true love's hand, Howard "Howie" West, husband, stepfather, grandfather, brother, son, and uncle, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's.
Howie will be forever remembered by his wife and best friend, Doreen MacPherson, his stepchildren, Heather (Al) Paul, and Jonathan MacPherson, and by his brother and sisters Lyn O'Mara, Garry (Diane) Abercrombie, Claire (Kurt) Bocian, and Cheryl (Calvin) Baker. Howie was predeceased by his sister Sheila (Kilpatrick). "Gramps" will never be forgotten by his grandson, Colt Paul. Howie is also fondly remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Born in 1935 in Victoria, Howie lived in several BC towns, as well as a 7 year hiatus around Australia, and a longstanding snowbird love nest in Arizona. In his youth, Howie served in the Navy, was a golden gloves boxer, and liked to frequently remind us all that he won "Best Actor" in the 1950 high school production of "Charlie Brown". Howie was a Legionnaire for 45 years, and a proud Longshoreman (ret. 1999). Howie-the-Powie served the best part of his working life as a Paramedic, never boasting about the lives and limbs he kept safe in this world (okay, maybe once).
Once retired, Howie took on the persona of a young lad in love, courting Doreen in Ottawa, ON, marrying her in their new home in Parksville BC, and cherishing his new stepchildren as if they were his own. Howie spent the best years of this century, travelling & dancing with his wife, and having coffee with a few good friends at the local Timmy's.
Howie's mischievous wit was stuck in a frozen body these last few years but, true to form, he never lost the ability to squeeze a hand or pucker for a kiss. The family wishes to send a specialthank you to the staff at Arrowsmith Lodge for their care and compassion.
To quote his grandson, who loved his Gramps with a million hugs, "Well, the good thing is that Gramps is out of his chair, happy to be finally running, dancing and talking again.".
A memorial service will be help at Yates Memorial in Parksville, BC, on Saturday February 22, 2020. In lieu of flowers a donation in Howie's memory can be made to the Canadian Paramedic Memorial Foundation.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesmemorial.ca
Yates Memorial Services
250-248-5859
"Lives Cherished and Celebrated"
Yates Memorial Services