Neville Howard Avison

Neville lived with his beloved wife, Sharon, in their new Courtenay home. His three children, Katherine, Isobel and John in Scotland, were cherished by him. He studied medicine and law followed by a distinguished career in Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities teaching criminology. When he came to Canada in 1973 he worked as Research Director for the BC Police Commission and then moved to Ottawa as the Senior Criminal Policy Analyst for the Department of Justice. In 1988 Neville and Sharon left Québec to find their new home at Laughing Horse Farm on Pender Island where he became “a gentleman farmer”. He joined the Ambulance Service and later was Unit Chief. Before retiring he was a member of the BC Review Board.

Neville had a passion for life. He cared deeply about what he saw as injustices against people and always wanted to make life better and fairer for others. He adored animals, including the many cats (several strays) who lived with them and the horses (some rescues) as well as all the birds who took advantage of the feeders in the backyard. He had a droll sense of humour and always had something interesting to say. Mozart was often heard in the house. His love for his vast collection of books was legendary.

A gathering in his honour will be held in the spring.

I loved my friend,

He went away from me

There’s nothing more to say.

The poem ends

Soft as it began -

I loved my friend.

*Langston Hughes*