Wise, Mack ‘Bing’ was born August 11, 1916 at Chipman, Alta., passed peacefully on January 20, 2013 in Duncan, British Columbia.
Predeceased by his wife Dorothy, three sisters and one brother, Bing will be lovingly remembered by his children; Rocky (Anne), Karen (Alan), Glenda and Randy (Denise), 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
At a young age Bing rode the rails out of Alberta and into B.C., making his way to Vancouver Island. He met and married, shortly thereafter, the love of his life Dorothy where he settled into Duncan to work in the forest industry. After having the first three of his children, Bing moved his family to Lake Cowichan in 1951. There he worked for B/A Oil Company. In 1968 Bing, Dot, Glenda and Randy returned to Duncan, where Bing worked as a Gulf Oil Agent. During their retired years, Bing and Dot enjoyed immensely wintering in Palm Springs, he also found great joy in his vegetable gardens.
Bing had many passions in life but for him his family always came first. Community service included: Commissioner of Lake Cowichan, as well as Chairman of the Board, Kiwanis, Rotary of Duncan, Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 53. In 1957, Dad was presented with a plaque from the Kiwanis International for Service to the Youth of the Cowichan Lake Area. He also loved his sports, hockey as a player and coach, and baseball as a player, coach and umpire. In 1957/58 he coordinated the purchase of the land and oversaw the building of the Senior Baseball fields in Lake Cowichan; in 1994 Bing was presented with a plaque inducting him into the B.C. Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame. At the age of 78, Bing refereed his last football game for Cowichan Valley Minor Football. Bing and Dot both loved to curl, and he was also a Duncan Curling Club President.
Dad rarely spoke of his past and believed that you should “work hard, keep your nose clean, and put a smile on your face, the good times are ahead.”
Special thanks to Dad’s caregivers at Sunridge Place for the care and affection provided during his stay. He truly valued your friendship. We would also like to thank Dr. R. Gilbert for his many years of faithful care.
No service by Bing’s request.