Vincent John Kirkwood

Vincent (Vin) was the first child born to David and Evelyn (nee Cole) Kirkwood in Vancouver 1 January 1949. There were eventually 4 children in the family, Kevin ('52), Kathleen (Kathy) ('53) and Keith ('57). He attended Tecumseh Elementary and John Oliver Secondary Schools. In both schools he did very well, always at the top of his class. In High School he was 1st Clarinet in the School Band close to 5 years.

His love for music burgeoned when he became Organist and Choir Master at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Vancouver. He had studied piano for many years and was able to make the move to the pipe organ. At the end of services he loved to "open-up" the instrument and make the church vibrate. The choir was a perennial favourite of the congregation.

Vin worked in the telecommunications world with Northern TeleCom and BC Tel. Later, he got into computers and work for Oracle in the United States for several years and continued in that line as a software developer, analyst, and teacher. He ended his career as a private contractor to similar companies.

While in Kitimat with BC Tel, he met Susan Rooney who would become his wife for forty years. They lived in Delta with Susan's two children for many years eventually retiring to Gibsons, BC. During their time in Delta, Vin was working in the USA, which took him away from home for long periods. This did not dampen the relationship between him and Susan. As often as they could, they would meet at home or in the US or at another location in Canada. "Susan", as Vin often said, "was not just my wife but my soulmate". So it was that Vin was devastated when, sadly, Susan died in 2014. The couple's love of travel, however, survived this parting and Vin continued to motor or fly to many destinations in Canada and the USA. Driving for short or long distances help keep him settled especially when the exigencies of life would start to trouble him.

Vin eventually moved to Agassiz, BC to be near his sister, Kathy and her family, which also made it easier for his other siblings to see him. During his younger days, Vin had developed a love of the outdoors through Cubs and Scouts, so it was that when Kevin would he and Vin would go off for a drive to visit parks and lakes from those early days and reminisce. Visits with Kathy and Kevin often brought back to mind old family stories. It was at this time that Vin moved to Logan Manor in Agassiz; he had been have some cognitive difficulties,which was diagnosed as a form of dementia. While taken aback by this news, Vin remained true to his own advise to others to "Stay Chilled". The staff at Logan Manor referred to him as their big Teddy Bear; and, indeed, he was like that most of his life.

Vin died in Burnaby Hospital with Kevin and his wife, Marcia, at the bedside to comfort him and pray for him in his last hours and at his passing. Vin is predeceased by his wife (2014), both parents (2013 & 2014), and sister, Kathy (2021). He is survived by brothers Kevin and Keith, Susan's children