Obituaries

Michael Henry Symons is survived by his brother Peter Symons of Vancouver, BC, daughters Christine Symons, Andrea Wood (nee Symons), Lesley Symons Kwak (Jae Koo) of Regina, SK, and grandchildren Brady Wood (Amanda), Jayda Wood (Shawn Fox, partner), Kennedy Wood (Tanner Mignon, partner), Kiara Wood (Carter Hibbert, partner), Emily Kwak, and Jaerin Kwak. Great-grandchildren Lucas Wood and Noah Wood.

Michael Henry Symons, affectionately known as “Mike”, was born on November 3 rd , 1941, 14 months after his older brother Peter Symons, in Kingsbridge, Great Britain, to John William Douglas (J.W.D.) Symons and Margret Elfreda Symons, (nee Tod). In 1946, one year after peace was declared in the war, the family moved back to Canada on the S.S. Aquitania, the sister ship to the Titanic. They landed in Halifax but moved to Ottawa where J.W.D. Symons taught at the military headquarters. Mike and his older brother attended elementary school in Ottawa until 1954 when the family moved to Victoria so his mother could be closer to her family and where Mike attended middle school. In 1955 the family moved again when his father was transferred to Camp Debert, Nova Scotia (outside Truro). They lived there for two and a half years until another transfer took them to Camp Shilo, Manitoba. Mike spent a few summers working at Clear Lake, Manitoba. Mike then moved to Regina, SK.

In 1961, a young ambitious Mike was enrolled in the RCMP training depot in Regina, SK, and although he didn’t graduate, he did meet a beautiful young nursing student, Valerie Young. They married in 1965 in Regina and had their first daughter, Christine in 1967. Less than one year later, they moved to Victoria, BC. They had Andrea in 1969. After moving to Tsawwassen, BC, they had Lesley in 1971. They then moved to Colwood, BC, and separated in 1973, getting divorced three years later. Mike stayed in Victoria and spent the remainder of his life there until June 1 st , 2024. He married Mary Symons (predeceased) (m. 1978 – d.1988). She spent many summers with Mike’s daughters, and they have very fond memories of Mary.

Mike worked in management for Crown Lands in the Provincial Government. He was a very dedicated employee and worked countless hours, many early mornings and late evenings. He loved his job and made many great friends. He was a loyal friend to many including those that he remained friends with until his passing. His beloved Dachshund wiener dog, Oscar, whom he adored, was greatly missed and affectionately spoken of after his passing in 1994. Mike loved watching tennis, baseball, CFL football, NFL, curling, and the Grand Prix. He would often drive down to the USA to watch car races. His favourite teams were the Toronto Blue Jays, Seatle Sea Hawks, BC Lions, and the Saskatchewan Rough Riders (when the Lions weren’t playing).

Vancouver Island, specifically Victoria, was always Mike’s favourite place. He would always tell us how blessed he was to live in such a beautiful city. He absolutely loved it! He proudly retold the history of significant places, highlighting many great attractions to visit whenever his children or friends from abroad would visit. He was an amazing tour guide! His eyes would actually light up as he would talk about the different places, point out locations where he used to go fishing, favourite picnic spots, beaches (Willows Beach, Agate Beach), and restaurants (all his favourites, especially sushi or anything Asian). Mike was an avid bike rider. He loved to cycle. Any chance he could, he would jump on his bike. He and his group of cycling buddies would go on long rides every weekend. We believe that was a benefit as to why he remained as healthy as he was.

Camera collecting and photography were passions for Mike. Shooting weddings almost every weekend was something Mike loved but what he loved more, were cameras. Those that knew him would say it was more of an “obsession”. He couldn’t go past a second-hand store, Value Village, or a garage sale without going in to look for cameras. He was an avid Nikon camera collector. His collection was quite impressive. Some of his cameras were so rare that they were written up about, pictures included, in several different print material. He was a member of the Nikon Historical Society, and he traveled all over the world for camera conventions including America and many countries in Europe, and Japan. He had numerous friends around the world through Nikon collecting.

Mike loved to travel for fun too! He traveled to several countries such as Korea, Japan, Hawaii, Mexico, Paris, Germany, Barbados, and several other countries in Europe. He traveled to the Caribbean on cruises with his then long-time companion and friend, Marcia Thorneycroft. We are very grateful to Marcia for all the support she had given our dad when he was in the hospital and at Highgate Lodge. We are thankful for the weekly visits, updates, and support Marcia provided since we lived so far away. It helped ease the burden knowing she was there, and he was loved and well taken care. For that, we will forever be grateful to Marcia.

After a terminal cancer diagnosis on March 4 th , 2024, Mike passed away a few months later. He will be forever missed by all, especially his daughters Andrea and Lesley and families, older brother Peter Symons, and many others that knew and loved him. We love and miss you!

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 ESV