After a heroic fight with metastatic melanoma, Vick McDowell passed away on August 8, 2010. He went peacefully, without pain, and secure in the knowledge that he was very much loved.
Vick’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, but will be most cherished by his family – his children, Melissa McDowell and Ryan McDowell (Angela Chapman), his sisters, Maureen McDowell (Frank Boas) and Eileen Wood (Wayne), and his niece, Sherry Weaver (Glenn).
Born on July 6, 1942, Vick grew up in Winnipeg, MB. After a quick stint carrying on the family tradition as the third generation to work at CP Rail, Vick began a more than twenty year career with Xerox Canada, where promotions would relocate him first to Thunder Bay, ON, and then to Saskatoon, SK, where his children were raised.
In the late 1990s, the West Coast began to call to Vick, and he tested the waters in Kamloops and Steveston before finding his true home in the community of Youbou in 2001. Vick loved being part of this community and took time every day to appreciate his breathtaking view of Lake Cowichan.
Vick made friends easily wherever he went thanks to his kindness, generosity, and eager willingness to golf, dance, philosophize, or share a drink with anyone and everyone who shared his passion for life. His wicked sense of humour made him the life of every party and he would rather be remembered with a smile than a tear.
His family would like to thank his doctors – Dr. Peter Postuk, Dr. Andrew Atwell, and Dr. Willie Pewarchuk – for always going above and beyond in Vick’s care. They would also like to thank the staff of the Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan and the Lodge on Fourth in Ladysmith for keeping him comfortable in his last weeks.
A celebration of Vick’s life will be held in Youbou at a future date, yet to be determined. In lieu of cards and flowers, donations can be made to the Youbou Fire Hall.