Dennis Cleeve Coleman

January 19, 1917 ' November 13, 2008 Dennis Coleman died November 13, 2008 in Vancouver, age 91. He is survived by his wife Louise, brother Geoff, sister Mavis, sons Doug, Nick, Graeme and Ian, daughter Sandi, grandchildren Dennis, Jason, Karen, Neil, Katie, Jake, Madeline, Sophie, Jory, Jeremy, Gaby and Toby, and great-grandchildren Jonathan, Danielle, and Chantelle. Dennis was born in London in 1917, to Fred and Mona Coleman, but grew up in West Vancouver. As a young man, after a few years of working in banking, he served in the RCAF in WWII. After the war, he met and married Louise Coles, and studied medicine at McGill University. In 1954, Dennis and Louise settled in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, where he practised medicine and raised a family with Louise. He was active in the NDP for many years and was elected town councilor in Comox in the 1970s. Dennis was a keen sailor and hiker (he was a founding member of both the Forbidden Plateau Ski Society, and Heron Rocks camping cooperative on Hornby Island), and is remembered for his wit and intellect. He lived in the Comox Valley until 2004. With the onset of dementia, Dennis spent his final years at the George Derby Centre for Veterans in Burnaby, where despite his diminished mental state, his unfailing charm and courtesy won over the staff. The family and friends of Dennis celebrate his life and salute his passing. There will be a Memorial for family in Vancouver, and another for his friends in Comox. Arrangements to follow.