HODGSON, Stanley, born September 9, 1919 in Croydon, England passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 6, 2013 in White Rock/Surrey, BC. Stan will be remembered as a person of amazing intelligence and insight, of integrity, of strong opinions with a deep caring for others, of a desire to serve, of strong faith in God.
Stan moved to Nelson as a young child. Among his accomplishments as a young man was achieving the rank of King’s Scout. He served as an RCAF radar technician in North Africa and Italy. World War II was life changing. Stan returned to enrol at UBC, graduating in 1950 as a Mining Engineer.
Soon after, he arrived in Kimberley and met Bubbles Adlard. Possibly no less likely couple could be found, Stan the stoic and Bubbles the exuberant. But something clicked and they were soon married, beginning an odyssey to small mining towns – Tulsequah, Jordan River, Kimberley, Pine Point, Trail and that largest of small mining towns, Vancouver. Along the way, they raised three children and amassed an amazing and large group of friends.
During this time, Stan was active politically, acting as a campaign manager for the local MP, a Captain in the local militia, a Justice of the Peace. Camping, fishing and boating, kids in tow, then golfing and curling. He was confirmed as an adult into the Anglican Church, helping establish the faith that sustained him.
Stan also faced tragedies. Son Dean was killed in an industrial accident at age 20. Then, just months before Stan was to retire, Bubbles was taken away too soon by cancer. Stan drew on his inner strength and became very active in his church, St. Mark’s. He was part of the team that built the new facility and helped found the Men’s Club, an organization devoted to serving the parish. For his service to St. Mark’s, Stan was invested in the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster. He and June Wellington became close friends, playing bridge and enjoying the VSO pops concerts. Sadly, June also passed away and Stan came to rely very much on the St. Mark’s community, his garden and cat, Blue.
Stan is lovingly remembered by his son Stephen (Mary); daughter Cathy (Dave); grandchildren Sean, Aaron and Maya; and nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful support of Lynn Anderson, the caring staff of Westminster House and Mary’s Pascuzzo family, who adopted Stan as honourary grandfather many years ago.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18