Clifford Salmond

Cliff Salmond was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Christmas Day 2013, after a long, brave battle with Parkinsons disease. Cliff had an amazing caring spirit and he was still able to communicate his love and compassion toward others, even though the disease had robbed him of his ability to speak in his later years. Cliff was born in Comox in 1927 to William and Natalie Salmond, and he is predeceased by his three brothers, Hugh, Ivor and John, and survived by his sister Mary. In his youth, he became a Canadian Champion in the field of running, holding the records for the 5000 metres and 1500 metre races. He was also part of the Canadian Olympic team that participated in the 1948 London Olympics where he had a once in a lifetime experience. He returned from the Olympics and was married to his devoted and loving wife Carol in 1953, and they went on to have four children, Roy and Neil (twins) and Faye and Ferne. He contributed to a lively, musical and sports minded household, and he was a role model of hard work and determination. Cliff was a long time member of Central Baptist Church (1944) and he participated in numerous ministries over the years. These ministries included: Growth Groups, The Brigademens Quartet, the Mens Octette, Young Peoples, outreach down at the docks as well as Childrens Church (which was his brainchild when he had two young boys to entertain during services). He started his career as a machinist at the dockyards, and he later used his outgoing personality to have a successful longstanding (25 years) career in real estate. Cliff rediscovered his love for running later in his life, and he enjoyed the comradarie and competition of the Senior Games, where he was a participant and co-ordinator of numerous events. Cliff was inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. After retirement, he used his sociability to visit shut- ins and to invest in and maintain relationships with running mates, his children and his nine grandchildren. Cliff was dearly loved by his large family and friends and he will be greatly missed. A service to remember his life will be held at Central Baptist Church on January 11th, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gideons, or the Parkinsons Society. To leave a condolence or make a donation, please click above.