The family of Walter Punnett is truly saddened to announce the passing of this wonderful man. Born on Bowen Island to Percy and Evelyn Punnett and raised with brother Bob and sisters Peg and Pearl.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Grace, and son-in-law Ian Milne. Walt is survived by his sister Peg and by his children Linda, Doug, Richard, Sandra, Chris and Carolee, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Dad joined the Canadian Navy and was posted to Quebec City after his training for the duration of his service. Upon his release he worked in the logging industry on BC's West coast, married our lovely mom, Grace, and raised six amazing children.
Dad and mom moved from Bowen Island to Duncan in 1955 where they spent the rest of their lives. Dad was proud to have been a scout master for many years, trained five Queen Scouts while involved and was the longest serving member of the Baden Powell Guild in Duncan. He was also involved in the Duncan Music Club, the Duncan Historical Society, the Jubilee Gardens community garden in Centennial Park, the Bowen Island Historical Society and the Snowbird Lift Society at Green Mountain. Our lives were enriched by many years of skiing on Green Mountain with mom and dad being very active in many facets of the ski club and we enjoy friendships to this day made during our time there.
The family was frequently joined by cousins and school friends on these trips for weekend stays and often for a week over spring break. Mom and dad provided many camping trips for the family across Canada and down into the US, first for the top four kids and later the bottom four kids, everyone one of us shouting "Shotgun" vying for a much sought- after window seat in the crowded station wagon.
The huge army tent was eventually traded in for a small cabin, roughly the same size as the tent, on Protection Island which the family continues to enjoy to this day. Mom and dad continued to enjoy road trips in later years in their motorhome, made frequent trips to Hawaii and enjoyed several cruises as well. They met many new friends on these various trips and always came home with entertaining stories of their adventures to share.
Dad's interest and concern for the politics of Duncan were frequently expressed in factual, to the point, letters to editor and he was also active on the strata council in the building where he lived.
Dad was an avid reader and was well informed on a wide range of subjects and this made conversations with him lively and interesting. Dad was a keen supporter of local merchants and artisans and his curiosity about their craft would result in enjoyable conversations with them. Dad's wide knowledge base included logging, general concern for the environment, wildlife and boating in its many forms on the West Coast, to name a few.
His was a rare soul who touched many lives and he will be dearly missed. We feel very fortunate that he remained independent and in charge of his life choices and was able to enjoy one last rusty nail before his passing. His was a life truly well lived. "I am the Master of my fate and the Captain of my soul". (Invictus)
The family would like to thank to Dr. B. Bass, Dr. G. Wenzel Smith, the 3rd floor nurses and staff at Cowichan District Hospital and the ER doctors and 3rd floor nurses and staff at Nanaimo Regional Hospital for their compassionate care of our amazing dad.
A Celebration of Life will be held when safe to do so.
Donations may be made the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, #401-495 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6B9, or www.heartandstroke.ca.
First Memorial Funeral Services - Duncan
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