Warren Royston Marrs

September 21, 1922 – October 4, 2014

Warren was born September 21, 1922 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to parents Alfred and Jessie (nee Russell) Marrs. Warren is the eldest of seven children: he was predeceased by his sister Mary (Peggy), and his brothers Donald (Don) and Kenneth (Bill); Warren is survived by his brother Michael (Mike), and his sisters Jean and Shirley. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and a few grandnieces and nephews. Warren lived his first years in Newfoundland, and as the family grew, they moved back to Dartmouth where he spent his youth.

After the second world war broke out, Warren enlisted in the RCAF on his 18th birthday and was called to active service a year later. He served on air bases in Sidney NS and Pennfield Ridge NB for three years. He was transferred to the United Kingdom in 1945 and was further transferred to Germany after the end of the war to aid in the restoration of the country.

Upon his return to Canada in 1946, Warren worked as a photographer for the Halifax Chronicle, and he was active in a local theatre group. He would have stayed in Halifax-Dartmouth, but lost his job in a merger of newspapers. Armed with a rail pass from the newspaper, Warren headed west and stopped in Toronto.

Warren began working for York Studios, primarily as a wedding photographer. One very busy year, he photographed over 180 weddings! Warren had to eventually give up photography as he developed a sensitivity to the chemicals used in the processing of the photos.

While working as a photographer, Warren met Dorothy Corbin, and they were married in June of 1953. Their marriage lasted over 55 years, until Dorothy’s passing in September of 2008. They had one son, Peter.

Leaving the photography business was the career change that would occupy Warren for the rest of his working life. He went to work for Ginn and Company publishers as a book production manager. During his time at Ginn, Warren streamlined and improved many book production methods. Warren worked for two other publishers in the Toronto area before moving out west (always west) in 1973. While in Toronto, Warren was very active outside of work; he was a deacon at his church, an avid model railroader and an executive for the Cedar Hill Minor Hockey Association.

Warren worked in book production for Evergreen Press in Vancouver from 1973 until his partial retirement in 1986, taking up gardening when not at work. For a short while Warren was a small boat owner, and fishing was taken up as a hobby. Sadly, few fish were ever caught, and the boat didn’t last long. Warren’s interest in railroading continued and overlapped both work and home. At work he produced many books on railroading and at home he became an expert painter and detailer of brass model locomotives.

One last move west occurred in 1988 when Warren and Dorothy fully retired to Victoria. Warren continued with gardening and model railroading, and began compiling his family’s genealogy.

Meanwhile, Peter had married Laurie Marchand, and they had Warren’s grandsons; Scott and Sean. Both Warren and Dororthy delighted in watching their grandsons grow from newborn babies into young men. Warren has always been very supportive of his grandsons, most notably in their school music programs--Warren never missed a school concert and truly enjoyed the music of all the performers.

In his later years Warren was fortunate enough to escape most of the serious ravages of old age, and quietly celebrated his 92nd birthday, but in the end even the little things caught up to him and he passed away peacefully on October 4, 2014. At a private service in the near future, Warren's cremated remains will be placed into the Garden of Memories at First Memorial Funeral Services (Victoria) and his name plaque will be placed next to Dorothy’s.

Warren was always honest and fair, and deeply caring of those close to him. He was described by many that knew him as very gentlemanly. Warren, you are loved and you will be missed. Rest in Peace.

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Victoria, BC.