May 20, 1960 - January 20, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
It is with profound sadness that the passing of Christopher Urquhart is announced. Born in Kelowna to John and Betty (nee Riley) Urquhart, he is survived by his soulmate, Susan Stevenson, their beloved children: Stuart, Cameron, and Natalie, siblings: Janet Urquhart (Cam Ducharme), Andrew Urquhart (MaryLee Tondreau), and Mary Urquhart, and stepmother, Barbara Urquhart.
After completing a Bachelor of Science at UBC in 1983, Chris continued his professional education at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, achieving his DVM in 1988. It was there that he met Susan.
Chris began his large animal practice in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, before returning to BC. He and Susan joined the Mill Bay Veterinary Hospital in 1992 and became partners in the clinic in 1994. They formed many friendships within the community.
Chris became an expert in artificial insemination and served as Vice President and board member of the Canadian Embryo Transfer Association.
Having settled in Mill Bay, Chris and Susan found their forever home and started their family with the arrival of Stuart (1996), Cameron (1998), and Natalie (2000). Chris's proudest accomplishment was knowing that he had paved the way for his three children to be successful and happy in life. Throughout their lives, he modeled compassion, intellectual curiosity, a profound sense of humour, and resolute courage.
Chris retired from the clinic in 2016 after receiving the life-altering diagnosis of metastatic cancer at just 55 years of age. He focused his remaining years on family, travel, hobbies, friendships, and building a lasting legacy.
Travel highlights included boating around the Gulf Islands, hiking the West Coast and Nootka Trails with family, experiencing an African safari, touring New Zealand with his vet classmates, and cruising the Danube River with his father and stepmother.
His hobbies included cycling, playing squash, hiking, touring on his motorcycle, researching, and documenting family history, and enjoying coffee, beer, or the occasional whiskey with friends.
After years of travel and as his health began to wane, Chris and Susan began legacy building for their children. They invested in property in Celista, BC, which was originally homesteaded by the Urquhart family in 1908. It became their bit of paradise.
Despite his escalating illness, Chris had countless days of fun with his chainsaw and backhoe and forged over 10 kms of hiking and ATV trails throughout the property. Together, and despite many challenges, he and Susan created a stunning lake view home for the family and generations to come to enjoy.
Chris enjoyed meeting people wherever he went around the world. He had the innate talents of focusing, listening deeply, and putting people instantly at ease. They would reveal their life stories, ambitions, and goals in a matter of minutes.
He said this skill came simply from taking a genuine interest in other people's lives. The quotation under his vet school graduation photograph read, "When I leave this place, I will have obtained a lot of good memories, great friends, and all the gossip I'll ever need." This is certainly how he lived his life, and he will be greatly missed.
The family wishes to thank all the health professionals who looked after Chris for the past eight years. The doctors, nurses, and support staff at BC Cancer in Vancouver and Victoria were wonderful.
Special thanks to the exceptional healthcare team at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, who enabled the family to spend Chris's last three weeks together. Donations to BC Cancer in his name will be gratefully accepted.
There will be a commemoration on Saturday, March 9th, at 2 p.m. at Cobble Hill Hall. Attendees are asked to bring anecdotes to share, as there will be an opportunity to toast and roast. Chris retained his sense of humour until the very end, and he would enjoy laughter at his celebration of life.
Please join the family in raising a glass to our favourite Scotsman:
Sláinte!
Service Details
2:00 PM