Trevor McDermott

Born February 4, 1933 in Nelson, Lancashire, England, Trevor’s good run has come to an end. He died peacefully in his sleep October 2, 2023 at the age of 90 at Berkely Care Home, North Vancouver, BC, Canada his home for the past six years.

As a young lad he attended Nelson Grammar school, where he excelled both academically and athletically.

Trevor was encouraged, by his Grammar School physical education teacher, to apply for a summer expedition to Iceland to survey the uncharted Hofsjokull ice-cap with the British Schools Exploring Society. The expedition at age 18 had a significant influence on his life. Six weeks of hardship, carrying a heavy backpack, surviving leaky tents, eating hard tack and fording glacial streams amidst wonderful scenery started him on his love of hiking, backpack trips, glaciers, volcanoes, mountains and travel.

Straight from Iceland to the Royal Air Force Trevor, had great fun with his crew as flight lieutenant during 2 years of compulsory National Service. Three years at Loughborough College launched a teaching career which started in England and took him to Bowness High School, near Calgary, Alberta in 1956. At all his schools he enjoyed a good relationship with both students and colleagues, leading many field trips into the mountains of England’s Lake District and ski trips to the European Alps and Canadian Rockies.

While in North America Suzanne and Trevor completed a road trip through the United States into Mexico, with the highlight of hiking down the Grand Canyon.

Trevor married Suzanne Morin on April 3, 1961 in Hanbury, Staffordshire, before emigrating to Vancouver, Canada in 1963. Trevor had planned to teach in Canada but Suzanne’s uncle Mr. J.C. Bamford suggested Trevor take a JCB excavator to Canada. After several years with JCB, Trevor, and his partner Norman Patterson, ran a successful excavation company, Atlas Leasing, which is still in the family today.

Trevor and Sue had two children, Sally and Richard, born in 1964 and 1966. From a young age they were trekking up mountains, peering into active volcanoes, heading to the beach to watch storms, and gallivanting frugally around Canada, the USA, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and Morocco.

Trevor surely influenced both children to appreciate the natural world and its diverse inhabitants.

Trevor remained active throughout his life, holding Grammar School records in short distance sprints, long jump and high jump, running marathons at age 49 and 50 with son Richard, hiking with friends and family (including annual long distance hiking treks with college friends after retirement), playing soccer, and playing tennis well into his 70’s. He was also a fine piano player and an entertainer at gatherings of friends and family.

Eventually Alzheimer’s would rob him of his mobility, but while he may have looked passive on the outside there remained a flicker of wit until the end.

The family is thankful for the caregivers who helped Trevor limit his nocturnal peregrinations, allowing him to live at home until 2017, and also all the staff at the Berkley Care Centre in North Vancouver, where he lived subsequently.

Trevor will be sorely missed by his wife Suzanne, children Sally (Brian) and Richard (Jinsook), grandchildren James, Jessica , Anna and Natalie, sister-in-law Elizabeth McDermott and cousins.

A celebration of life is planned for summer 2024. Please contact the family for details.