Carman Willoughby Albertson

The son of Harriet and Nelson Albertson, Carm was raised in Regina Saskatchewan with his sisters: Lilian, Dorothy and Isabelle. He joined the army at 17, trained as a medic and was stationed at the Debert Military Hospital near Truro Nova Scotia for the remainder of WWII.

After the war he wooed and married the love of his life: Barbara Jacqueline Matkin. He joined the RCAF and trained as an intelligence specialist at Edmonton, Denver, and San Antonio. Barb and Carm were transferred to Whitehorse YT three different times, Ottawa twice and Metz, France once. Their only child Mark Randolph was born in Whitehorse in 1954.

Carm retired from the RCAF in Whitehorse in 1967, and remained there for a year pursuing his dream to develop a silver mine. It showed promise but did not come to be. Carm, Barb and Randy then moved to Victoria, BC. In Victoria Carm answered his true calling – sales – and built a happy life and retirement.

His and Barb’s travels included: several prolonged trips to Australia; many winters in Kona, Hawaii; and many holidays in Sarasota Florida with Barb’s sister and brother- in - law Marjorie and John Atchison.

Barb passed away in 2011 following a multi-year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Carm steadfastly cared for Barb at home throughout that time. No one has been better loved. Niece Barbara Torpey visited often from Alberta to help. Thank you. Thank you.

In the years following Barbara’s passing, Carm met and befriended Maria Grace. Sadly, Maria’s relationship with the family was never as close as it was with Carm.

Carm was ambulanced to hospital with a broken hip in July, 2025. The hip was repaired, but Carm was not able to regain his strength. During Carm’s subsequent two month hospital stay, Maria and the family communicated and cooperated with difficult care decisions. Maria prepared some of Carm’s favourite foods and the family transported them to the hospital to Carm whenever Maria could not.

Carm’s nieces lovingly travelled to Victoria to say goodbye. Barb and Randy send their gratitude.

Carm was an avid walker. His feet took him to the “prayer tree” near Barb’s resting place, wild turkeys in Hawaii and the boogie board in Australia. He loved adventures and was always finding new ways to get himself out of a “situation”. He never met a stranger.

Thank you to the staff at Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital, particularly the surgical recovery ward – 6 South RJH – where Carm and the family received exceptional care, patience and kindness.

Service Information: The family will announce a time and place. Hopefully in April, 2026 to coincide with Carm’s 100th birthday.