Garnet
Garnet Joseph Riviere
d. October 28, 2019
Garnet was born in Cornwall, Ontario and headed out West as a young man to seek his fortune.
In his early career he worked in mines in Mica Creek and Bralorne, linework in Campbell River and surrounding areas; and electrical work at the Port Alberni pulp mill and James Island. Meanwhile he had met and married Laverne and started a family. The early years were hard but adventuresome, living in a tent for a year by a river, then into a tiny house (minus electricity and running water).
In 1958 Garnet moved his young family to Victoria and began working at Cordova Bay Garage, which he ended up owning. Although he retired (officially) in his mid-fifties he was constantly active helping anyone with whatever needed doing.
He and Laverne both became very involved in Glad Tidings church. Garnet was also instrumental in the early development of Nanoose Bay Camp including spending a week each summer as a camp counsellor and camp "kop" (much to Judy and Peggy's chagrin!)
In 1968 he was the layman representative on the original Board of Trustees to develop the current Saanich Peninsula Hospital. He and Laverne even cooked huge pots of potatoes to determine how many portions it would serve, while calculating meal costs for the first budget. He also hired the original groundskeepers. He was so pleased when the first year ended within budget.
Throughout his life he has been an avid hunter and fisherman. He passed that love along to his two girls, proud that they could shoot and reel in a fish as good as any boy! Garnet's last moose hunting trip was at age eighty-seven. Although his short-term memory was rather scattered at the end he could still reminisce, in vivid detail, every adventure over the years.
He was truly a wonderful man. His faith in God, his strong work ethic, contentment with little, and unconditional love of his family and friends were evident in his daily life.
He will be terribly missed by his family and countless friends. However, we rejoice that his is reunited with his darling, Laverne.
Rest in Peace, Dad / Grandpa.
We love and miss you.
In his early career he worked in mines in Mica Creek and Bralorne, linework in Campbell River and surrounding areas; and electrical work at the Port Alberni pulp mill and James Island. Meanwhile he had met and married Laverne and started a family. The early years were hard but adventuresome, living in a tent for a year by a river, then into a tiny house (minus electricity and running water).
In 1958 Garnet moved his young family to Victoria and began working at Cordova Bay Garage, which he ended up owning. Although he retired (officially) in his mid-fifties he was constantly active helping anyone with whatever needed doing.
He and Laverne both became very involved in Glad Tidings church. Garnet was also instrumental in the early development of Nanoose Bay Camp including spending a week each summer as a camp counsellor and camp "kop" (much to Judy and Peggy's chagrin!)
In 1968 he was the layman representative on the original Board of Trustees to develop the current Saanich Peninsula Hospital. He and Laverne even cooked huge pots of potatoes to determine how many portions it would serve, while calculating meal costs for the first budget. He also hired the original groundskeepers. He was so pleased when the first year ended within budget.
Throughout his life he has been an avid hunter and fisherman. He passed that love along to his two girls, proud that they could shoot and reel in a fish as good as any boy! Garnet's last moose hunting trip was at age eighty-seven. Although his short-term memory was rather scattered at the end he could still reminisce, in vivid detail, every adventure over the years.
He was truly a wonderful man. His faith in God, his strong work ethic, contentment with little, and unconditional love of his family and friends were evident in his daily life.
He will be terribly missed by his family and countless friends. However, we rejoice that his is reunited with his darling, Laverne.
Rest in Peace, Dad / Grandpa.
We love and miss you.
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