Dean Winram

Dean was born on April 22, 1936, the only child of Myrtle and Edwin (Ted) Winram. He grew up in Surrey and graduated from Princess Margaret High. He went onto UBC where he started off in Engineering but switched to Commerce (Finance) and graduated in 1961. During his UBC years he met May Chow Wone who he married in 1962.

Dean worked hard to put himself through school; putting in double shifts pulling boards at the mill, pitching fish out of boats, and filling fuel trucks. A natural athlete, Dean picked up lacrosse (including a stint with the New West Salmonbellies), and later basketball, tennis, squash, hockey, and skiing. He made many wonderful friends through sports.

Following UBC, Dean was hired by IDB, where he made loans to small businesses. IDB transferred Dean to Kelowna and that’s where he and May had their children, Phil and Julie. Facing another transfer, Dean took his career and family in a different direction, becoming the Bursar of Camosun College in Victoria. By 1978, however, Dean yearned to be back in Vancouver. He worked for PVI before joining the Justice Institute in 1979 as Bursar (aka VP of Finance) where he stayed until retiring in 1998.

After Dean and May parted in 1989, Dean moved to Kitsilano – close to the beach and his favorite place, the Arbutus club. He was there most days for squash, tennis, and hockey, and later aquafit. Dean also took up motorcycling in his 40s and rode well into his 70s, taking countless road trips with his Harley riding friends.

Dean was a voracious reader and loved to learn. He kept up with the news and listened to views across the political spectrum – often interjecting with a bit of history, a quote or a joke. Dean loved music and played all his favourites, from classic to jazz, to R&B and country, on his Alexa every day.

Dean met Erla in 1999 and they married in 2003 in Las Vegas. Erla was the love of Dean’s life and their 25 years together was Dean’s happiest time. Dean and Erla enjoyed every moment together and with friends, including their dear friends Dave and Claudia. They also traveled, mixing in getaways to the Island and Okanagan with bigger trips to Europe, California, and Mexico. Dean especially enjoyed his yearly Mazatlan trips with his tennis group.

Dean is survived by his beloved wife Erla and is lovingly remembered by his children Julie (Jason) and Phil, his grandchildren Brian, Megan, and Kelsey, and Erla’s family and many dear friends.

A celebration of Dean’s life will be held at Hamilton Harron Funeral Home on December 30th at 10am.