CHILDS, Victor
Born: Leominster, England
September 20, 1924
Died: Ladysmith, B.C.
January 15, 2010
Vic, (“not Victor!”) is survived by his three children, Diana, Bruce and Brian Childs; his five grandchildren: Sasha (Alexander) Sikora, Naomi Sikora, Morgan Childs, Brynna Childs, and Cameron Childs; nieces: Greta Hales and Carol Childs, nephew Jimmy Childs, and sister-in-law Dorothy Childs.
He is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Viola Butler Childs, his grandson Josh Sikora, his nephew Jack Childs, and his three brothers: Ivor Moore, Jack Childs and Roy Childs. Vic travelled widely across Canada and the U.S. (with Vi), Mexico, England, Ireland and France; and he always had another travel goal in mind - the last being a long-hoped for African safari.
He was a Veteran of WWII and throughout his life he was tireless in his efforts to keep the memories of Canadian soldiers’ wartime challenges and sacrifices alive.
Vic was an entertainer and loved to play his drums and tell stories. His band “Memory Lane” in Kelowna (which included his good musician friends Bud and Mary Ellen) entertained for fi ve years, bringing laughter and music to many seniors’ residences and cancer agencies. He was a resident of LaRosa Gardens in Ladysmith for the last two years of his life; returning from Kelowna because, as his good friend Audrey said: “he loved the beauty and people of this town”. He played piano every afternoon in LaRosa and brought laughter and cheer to the residents there.
Vic was a writer of some repute; this included being a newspaper editor and reporter; writing volumes of poetry, and collaborating on historical publications with Donald E. Graves and Barry Broadfoot. (He kept meticulous records and would have been a great curator!!). His many war mementos and photographs may be seen at the Military Museum at Rutherford Mall in Nanaimo.
He will be sadly missed by his family and countless friends from many places. As his nieces Greta and Carol shared: “Uncle Vic always made us feel special and he was lots of fun - he loved the kids!”. His family would like to thank the pharmacists and his special friends at Pharmasave Ladysmith, the kind doctors and nurses in the Nanaimo Hospital Palliative Care Unit and Doctor Chris Fritsch and nurses in The Lodge on 4th Palliative Unit for their expertise and compassion.