Thomas (Tom) Phillip Stratford died suddenly on November 7, 2011 with his wife at his side. Tom was living in Victoria but visiting Penticton at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Katherine (Kay), his three children, Richard (Grace), Laura, and Andrew; three grandchildren Benjamin, Joshua and Olivia; and nieces and nephews. Tom was born September 26, 1921 in Barielly, India and was raised and completed his schooling and Steam Engineer training in India.
He served in World War II in the British Merchant Marine before immigrating to Canada with his brother Richard (Dick) in 1948.
Tom worked as a Steam Engineer in various locations in BC before settling in Port Alberni, BC. During this period the brothers enjoyed prospecting for gold in a claim south of Barkerville and Tom also obtained his pilots licence and loved to fly.
In 1962 Tom and Kay were married and made their home in Port Alberni where their three children were born and his niece, Theresa Pugh, joined his family.
After eighteen years in Port Alberni they moved to a hobby farm in Errington, BC and four years after Tom’s retirement from MacMillan Blodel in 1986, they moved to a smaller acreage in Naramata, BC.
In 2010 they moved to Victoria to be closer to family and friends. Tom will be remembered for being a gentle, kind and loving man who aways put his family first. He was quiet and wise with a dry sense of humour and will be truly missed.
There will a gathering at 4625 Deventer Drive, Victoria, for family and friends on Saturday, November 19 from 1pm to 4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.