1953
Christopher
2019
Christopher Darlow Wootton
March 22, 1953 — September 14, 2019
Surrounded by love, Christopher Darlow Wootton passed away at 5:46 am on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at the age of 66.
Born March 22, 1953, in Honiton, Devon, England, to David Cecil and Marjorie (Peggs) Wootton, Chris was a fun-loving adventure seeker from an early age. He spent his childhood boating on the Thames and flashing his signature mischievous grin around town as he skived off school. After Chris's father, with whom he shared a special bond, died suddenly when Chris was just six years old, Chris's mother opened a restaurant to support the family, and it was here that Chris's strong work ethic and business acumen were born: he helped his mother out with the restaurant, but he also helped himself to the patron's chips, even as he charmed them into doing his homework for him.
In his teens, Chris's ambition was further sparked by two other hardworking members of the family, his older cousins Jimmy and Stephen, who set a fine example of what Chris could have if only he buckled down and followed them into the hairdressing trade: money, hot cars, and cool girlfriends. Intrigued, Chris became an apprentice at French's of London near London's Savile Row. Soon after, he was offered a hairdressing job in exotic Victoria, BC, Canada, and he emigrated to the New World in 1972.
It was in Victoria that Chris's spiritual side was awakened. A visit to Victoria's Truth Centre inspired him to travel to Germany to train as a teacher of transcendental meditation (TM), a practice that he continued throughout his life. Chris's training in TM helped crystallize his natural talent for teaching. Whether he was guiding students of meditation, instructing hairdressing protégées, or teaching his daughters to ride bikes or drive cars, he was at his best when he was using his unfailingly calm and patient nature to enlighten others. In Germany, Chris also met his best friend, Terry the Toe Rag, who became his lifelong partner in crime, spiritual matters, and golf.
Back in Victoria, Chris claimed the natural rewards of his profession: money, hot cars, and a cool girlfriend - his first love, Deborah. Chris and Deborah were together until 1996 and raised three daughters - Syreeta (born 1978), Chelsea (born 1982), and Calais (born 1985). During their vibrant family life in Victoria's Fairfield neighbourhood, Chris instilled his unique work ethic in his girls, setting an example of creative entrepreneurship by volunteering his wife's services as a piñata maker, making and selling posters of his brother-in-law's artwork, and opening up their home as a bed and breakfast for a summer.
Chris spent the 1980s and 90s working in the salons he opened (Fashion Focus and later Focus 5000, with locations in Victoria and Sidney), raising his daughters, and pursuing his twin interests: spirituality and hedonism. He was known for his appreciation of the finer things in life, whether that was cruising in his E-Type Jag or sitting alone in complete silence, strutting the streets of Victoria in a perfectly tailored Armani suit or donning a simple cotton robe in India.
To his daughters, Chris was a source of unconditional love and support, teaching them how to love and how they should be loved. He was a strong, confident, unflappable best friend who showed them the importance of maintaining a lifelong quest for adventure and a faith that everything will work out in the end: leap and the net will appear, don't take life too seriously, never miss an opportunity to laugh, always say yes to a glass of wine and a good curry, crank up the music in the car, and never let your passport expire. Memorizing the Puja in Sanskrit, taking up golf, and learning to play the guitar at age 40, he also showed them that you're never too old to learn something new.
In 2002, Chris began a romance with Lesley, a kindred spirit from the Old Country who shared his love of adventure, music, and travel. During their seventeen years together, Chris and Lesley followed their passion for fun, visiting romantic cities, revelling at concerts, and gathering with their many friends for good food, wine, and conversation. In 2004, they followed another dream together, opening The Ocean Palm Spa in Sidney, BC.
In 2014, Chris was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Believing that his soul chose this path, he set his iron will to living with clarity and an open heart until his last moments.
Chris is survived by his older brother, Peter; his partner, Lesley; his three daughters, Syreeta, Chelsea, and Calais; and his two granddaughters.
In honour of Chris's full and impactful life, a two-part celebration will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2019, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1040 Moss Street, Victoria, BC). Between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, a meditation blessing ceremony will be held. Please bring a pillow if you would like to sit on the floor (chairs will be provided). From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, please enjoy the gallery or explore the neighbourhood, then join us from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm for light refreshments and lots of laughs as we raise our glasses in celebration of Chris.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Sunday, November 10, 2019
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 1040 Moss Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Sunday, November 10, 2019
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 1040 Moss Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Born March 22, 1953, in Honiton, Devon, England, to David Cecil and Marjorie (Peggs) Wootton, Chris was a fun-loving adventure seeker from an early age. He spent his childhood boating on the Thames and flashing his signature mischievous grin around town as he skived off school. After Chris's father, with whom he shared a special bond, died suddenly when Chris was just six years old, Chris's mother opened a restaurant to support the family, and it was here that Chris's strong work ethic and business acumen were born: he helped his mother out with the restaurant, but he also helped himself to the patron's chips, even as he charmed them into doing his homework for him.
In his teens, Chris's ambition was further sparked by two other hardworking members of the family, his older cousins Jimmy and Stephen, who set a fine example of what Chris could have if only he buckled down and followed them into the hairdressing trade: money, hot cars, and cool girlfriends. Intrigued, Chris became an apprentice at French's of London near London's Savile Row. Soon after, he was offered a hairdressing job in exotic Victoria, BC, Canada, and he emigrated to the New World in 1972.
It was in Victoria that Chris's spiritual side was awakened. A visit to Victoria's Truth Centre inspired him to travel to Germany to train as a teacher of transcendental meditation (TM), a practice that he continued throughout his life. Chris's training in TM helped crystallize his natural talent for teaching. Whether he was guiding students of meditation, instructing hairdressing protégées, or teaching his daughters to ride bikes or drive cars, he was at his best when he was using his unfailingly calm and patient nature to enlighten others. In Germany, Chris also met his best friend, Terry the Toe Rag, who became his lifelong partner in crime, spiritual matters, and golf.
Back in Victoria, Chris claimed the natural rewards of his profession: money, hot cars, and a cool girlfriend - his first love, Deborah. Chris and Deborah were together until 1996 and raised three daughters - Syreeta (born 1978), Chelsea (born 1982), and Calais (born 1985). During their vibrant family life in Victoria's Fairfield neighbourhood, Chris instilled his unique work ethic in his girls, setting an example of creative entrepreneurship by volunteering his wife's services as a piñata maker, making and selling posters of his brother-in-law's artwork, and opening up their home as a bed and breakfast for a summer.
Chris spent the 1980s and 90s working in the salons he opened (Fashion Focus and later Focus 5000, with locations in Victoria and Sidney), raising his daughters, and pursuing his twin interests: spirituality and hedonism. He was known for his appreciation of the finer things in life, whether that was cruising in his E-Type Jag or sitting alone in complete silence, strutting the streets of Victoria in a perfectly tailored Armani suit or donning a simple cotton robe in India.
To his daughters, Chris was a source of unconditional love and support, teaching them how to love and how they should be loved. He was a strong, confident, unflappable best friend who showed them the importance of maintaining a lifelong quest for adventure and a faith that everything will work out in the end: leap and the net will appear, don't take life too seriously, never miss an opportunity to laugh, always say yes to a glass of wine and a good curry, crank up the music in the car, and never let your passport expire. Memorizing the Puja in Sanskrit, taking up golf, and learning to play the guitar at age 40, he also showed them that you're never too old to learn something new.
In 2002, Chris began a romance with Lesley, a kindred spirit from the Old Country who shared his love of adventure, music, and travel. During their seventeen years together, Chris and Lesley followed their passion for fun, visiting romantic cities, revelling at concerts, and gathering with their many friends for good food, wine, and conversation. In 2004, they followed another dream together, opening The Ocean Palm Spa in Sidney, BC.
In 2014, Chris was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Believing that his soul chose this path, he set his iron will to living with clarity and an open heart until his last moments.
Chris is survived by his older brother, Peter; his partner, Lesley; his three daughters, Syreeta, Chelsea, and Calais; and his two granddaughters.
In honour of Chris's full and impactful life, a two-part celebration will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2019, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1040 Moss Street, Victoria, BC). Between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, a meditation blessing ceremony will be held. Please bring a pillow if you would like to sit on the floor (chairs will be provided). From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, please enjoy the gallery or explore the neighbourhood, then join us from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm for light refreshments and lots of laughs as we raise our glasses in celebration of Chris.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice.
Blessing and Meditation
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Sunday, November 10, 2019
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 1040 Moss Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Celebration of Life
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Sunday, November 10, 2019
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 1040 Moss Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
2 part celebration
In honour of Chris's full and impactful life, a two-part celebration will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2019, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1040 Moss Street, Victoria, BC). Between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, a meditation blessing ceremony will be held. Please bring a pillow if you would like to sit on the floor (chairs will be provided). From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, please enjoy the gallery or explore the neighbourhood, then join us from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm for light refreshments and lots of laughs as we raise our glasses in celebration of Chris.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christopher Darlow Wootton, please visit our flower store.
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