Fredrick "Bud" Alen Shelly

Bud is survived by his loving wife, Julia (Jules). Children; Alannah (Bunny) Shelly of Victoria, Fred Shelly (Megan) of Royston, Wendy Smith (Kevin) of Coal Harbor and Isaac Stebner (Reighlyn) of Nanoose Bay.

Grandchildren; Adam (Tasha), Julian (Neoma), Lucas, Paige, Odessa and Alissa. Great grandchildren; Dean, Timmy and Darian.

Bud is predeceased by his parents Willett and Edna Shelly, sisters; Evelyn (Evie) Devitt and Shirley Ellen LaPlante.

Born into a pioneering family who arrived in Parksville in 1913, Bud grew up in this same small town (village in those days) with strong family values. He spent his youth with friends he would know his entire life. Favourite pastimes like training and riding horses gave way to cruisin’ in cars with ‘the boys’ in the late 50’s and early 60’s. His factory ordered yellow 1964 Malibu SS was a young man’s pride and joy.

The local kids would befriend the annual influx of “summer kids”. Parties provided dating opportunities, and this is how Bud met his first wife Barbara. They married in Nanaimo in 1967, and Bud happily adopted her toddler daughter Alannah who is known to the family as Bunny.

After high-school Bud had gone to Business School in Vancouver. He and Barb moved to Campbell River where Bud used those skills working for his father and uncle’s company, West Coast Freight. The business was the largest trucking company in Canada when it was sold in 1967, and Bud became branch manager.

In 1968 Bud and Barb welcomed a son and called him Fred after a long line of Shelly men. Bud was thrilled.

Intervening years would see the family move to Kamloops where Bud worked for Trimac and they enjoyed an active outdoor lifestyle of skiing and camping. In 1980 they moved back to the Shelly family farm in Parksville while building a new home. Bud drove trucks locally and actively working the farm.

The recession of the early 80’s caused many people to seek stable work farther afield and Bud began a career working in camp on large provincial projects. Tumbler Ridge, the

Coquihalla Hwy, and the Inner Island Highway plus several other large projects saw him driving massive ‘Cat Wagon’ dump trucks, ambulances and even the explosives vehicles.

The work was long and hard, and Bud developed a core group of friends on these same projects. Their friendships forged particularly strong and, as Bud was known for, they lasted a lifetime. Like many who work away however, the extra stresses were hard on marriages and Bud and Barb parted in 1985.

Bud had been bequeathed a portion of the family farm, and he set about building his “forever home”. The land he chose is a beautiful parcel with full view of Bud’s legacy project, ShellyBrook Manufactured Home Park. He had begun to develop this property with the help of his father in the early 70’s. Presently the land houses nearly 60 families, all of which he knew personally.

By 1993 he was retired and working on the third expansion of Shellybrook, building his home and gathering in the local watering holes with close friends. He was traveling to Baja and Arizona meeting up there with his sisters Ev and Shirley and their husbands. Costa Rica was another trip he loved.

Then it happened. He was out with friends at a local pub and spotted a pretty blonde. She accepted his request for a dance and suddenly the rest of Bud’s future stood smiling before him. Julia had two children; Wendy and Isaac and Bud opened his life to another family; one that blended naturally with his own.

Bud and Jules married two years later in 1996 at their home and surrounded with the love of friends and family. They honeymooned in Greece and sailed barefoot though the mediterranean. They loved visiting Hawaii and drove a bus Bud had converted through Canada, the US and Baja.

Their family has expanded greatly over time, and the house and grounds have matured into a beautiful landscape. This place Bud envisioned so many years ago has become the central gathering place for all. Christmas parties to summer family reunions, birthdays,” just because” and even another wedding. His workshop was a place of refuge, a fire in the stove, projects on the go, afternoon chats with a beverage.

Bud succeeded in living in his forever home until the day before he passed away. A testament to the deep love and care he and Jules shared. They worked hard together and laughed a lot. In the final years of his life Bud spoke often of how much he loved Jules and how immensely grateful he was to have her in his life.

Bud is remembered for his deep love and devotion to his family and broad circle of close friends. He is deeply and sincerely missed by all who loved him.

Julia and family would like to thank Dr. Carey Sulz and his support staff of Elm Tree Medical Clinic in Parksville, Oceanside Community Health Services, including their

Nursing Care Team, Jaimie Drinnan, MScOT, Sherri Kozubal, Respiratory Therapist and those staff at NRGH for their outstanding care of Bud.