October 31, 1944 – May 7, 2014
Surrounded by his loving family, Stuart passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospice after a courageous, nine year battle with cancer. Predeceased by his mother, Hilary and father, Antony, he is survived by his wife of 45 years, Anthea; his three children, Adrian (Katie), Sara (Jeff) and Hilary; his four grandchildren, Griffin, Andrew, Ellysen and Henry; his twin brother Gordon, sisters Alexandra and Carolyn and seven nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all his family and many friends.
Born in England, Stuart came to Canada in 1970 and lived in Toronto with his wife for 11 years. They later moved to Nanaimo before settling in Victoria in 1985.
An award-winning architect, his passion for design was undeniable as was his zest for life. He pursued many varied interests with a remarkable intensity. From cycling, x-country skiing and kayaking to art, photography and music, he was never idle. Perhaps most of all, he loved sailing. If he was not out on the water, he was often found at the marina working on his boat and visiting with friends. Stuart served as the Registrar for the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC), the Chair of the Board of Directors at Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) and sat on the Saanich Design Panel. Stuart will be remembered for his zany sense of humour, his intelligence, his integrity and his kindness. He will be in our hearts and forever loved.
A celebration of Stuart’s life will be held at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Road, on Wednesday, May 14, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Society or Victoria Hospice.
Condolences for the family may be offered below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
-
Beth (Robertson) Mullin
-
Jim Hopkins Dear Anthea
A further note…this time of appreciation for the wonderful celebration of Stuart’s life which you and your family treated the assembled masses at the Yacht Club.
Many thanks
Jim Hopkins
-
Pawel Balas Stuart was my Mentor while I was a student with RAIC Syllabus about 15 years ago. Because of Stuart’s guidance I truly believe I’m a better architect today. Stuart was always very professional, fair and honest as a Mentor and I’ve also enjoyed His witty remarks while we had long conversations over coffee. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Pawel
-
Natalie and Chris Henry We were saddened and sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing. You are in our thoughts. We hope you had a wonderful celebration honouring Stuart. Much love from our family.
Love,
Chris and Nan
-
Henry Skey I went to school with Hilary for many years and had the pleasure of working with her after we had graduated. It is obvious from her demeanor, as well as my limited chats with Stuart himself, that he was a cornerstone in a solid, wonderful, loving family. I am very sorry to hear of his passing and wish to pass on my sincere condolences and best wishes to the family.
Henry
-
Harvey Thorau Dear Anthea and Family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of your dear Stuart. As I read the obituary, I was immediately taken back to our last chat at the opening of The Hall. Stuart was interested in all that he saw. His mind was quick even though I could see that his body was fading a bit. I certainly will treasure my moments with him and the opportunity we all had to share high and low times as part of the GNS family.
My thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time.
Harvey
-
Laurel and Mike Hounslow Dear Anthea, Adrian, Sarah, Hilary and all your families, We were so sad to hear of Stuart’s passing. His integrity was an inspiration. His intelligence and enthusiasm for life made him a lot of fun to be around, not to mention his wry (or is that wacky?) sense of humour. I treasure the time I was able to spend with Stuart working on our mutual interest in GNS. I treasure the time we were able to spend with your family and had hoped to visit again at the end of this month. It was not to be but I hope Stuart’s courage inspires you and all of us to go on with joyful memories and without regrets. His light shines on. I am glad I had the opportunity to know him. It was a privilege. Love to Stuart in his journey and love to all of you, Laurel and Mike and all of our family.
-
Rob Halliday Stuart was a great Mentor and Teacher to me. Besides his great knowledge and understanding guidance in my pursuit of a career in architecture, I will remember him for his wonderful sense of humor.
One of my favorite examples is his story of a student work term when he was working on a construction site. The crane operator kept giving him a particularly hard time. So when he was up the crane and had left his large rubber boots at the bottom, Stuart filled them with wet cement.
His passing is a great loss to both his companions and profession.
My condolences to Family and Friends.
Rob Halliday
-
Priscilla Lowe Hello Anthea,
You probably don’t remember me, it was way back in Nanaimo and the Figure Skating Club., I do remember visiting you after you moved to Victoria. I think you were at Ten Mile Point. (I was Vipond then)I certainly remember you and Stuart. I am so sorry for your loss, in the short time I knew you both, he was one of those people you remember in so many ways- how sad to lose him so soon.
I see from the obit that Adrian and Sara are both married and you have grandchildren. 4 no less. I only have 3!
All the best Anthea as you enter a new stage in your life.
With love and fond memories
Priscilla
-
Benjamin Bryce Levinson Anthea and family. I worked on many committees with Stuart as we had parrallel architectural practices. He was an interesting person, a hard working member of the AIBC always giving. It is my honour to say I was his friend. Please accept my condolences and go forward in life proud and happy you were part of his life.
Ben Levinson
-
Jonathan Yardley As another UK trained architect who emigrated to B C in 1976 I did have the pleasure of being involved with Stuart when he was the chair of the AIBC Design Panel Committee when I was in the process of setting up a Design Panel here on Salt Spring Island. At that time I found him to be both contentious as an architect and an enjoy-er of life!
My condolences go out to his immediate family and all his friends who are saddened at this loss.
-
Ali Lee Hilary, Anthea and family,
Love and condolences to you all as you experience this loss. Stuart was a great man and we had many great conversations when we all used to come hang out at the Piets residence at a young age. The success and kind hearts of his children are truly a product of what great parents Stuart and Anthea are. My thoughts are with you all and I’m sorry I could not be in the country to be there in person on Wednesday. Thinking of you.
-
Henry & Ruth Gibbs Dear Anthea
I was saddened to read of Stuart’s untimely passing – our thoughts are with you and your family.
We haven’t seen each other since you moved away from Toronto, but I still have fond memories of our visits. It has always been my intention to visit Vancouver Island and stop by, sadly things haven’t yet worked out that way. Hopefully now that I’m retired, we will finally get a chance to visit.
Glad to hear of your expanding family, you beat us by one grandchild (we have three).
Much love,
Henry & Ruth Gibbs
-
Simon Bruce-Lockhart Dear Anthea
Stuart was a very loyal and giving man, and GNS was most fortunate that he shared his talents with the school first on the Board and then the Foundation. His warmth, intelligence and wry humour will be greatly missed. I am grateful for his many contributions to the school, and for having had the privilege of knowing him.
-
Rick and Jan Wheeler Dear Anthea and family,
We are so sorry for your loss of Stuart. May all the wonderful family memories comfort you at this time.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Rick, Jan, Nolan and Hilary Wheeler
-
Jim Hopkins Dear Anthea and family…
My sympathies to you.
I knew Stuart in his role as Chair of the GNS Foundation. I joined as a new member in 2012 and had the good fortune of sitting next to Stuart. He immediately extended a big welcome and engaged me in my duties as a fellow Board member. Stuart was very generous to a newbie like me and showed me the power of listening. My relationship with Stuart was brief but he left an indelible impression of a sage man who was deep and and generous . Stuart ‘s quiet leadership is going to be missed significantly on the Foundation
Best regards
Jim Hopkins
-
Walter and Wanda Salmaniw Dear Anthea and children: We’ve just read Stuart’s obituary in the T-C.
Such a wonderful and quirky man! A real shock to hear of his passing. We will surely miss his warm smile, and his huge contributions to the community and to GNS, from which we all benefited immensely. Our thoughts are with you.
-
Art & Frieda Mountain Our heartfelt condolences to Anthea and family for your loss of Stuart.
He was a good friend and a top notch person that we had the priviledge to know and enjoy coastal boating adventures with.
Stuart’s good humoured individualism will be sorely missed!
-
Bob Drury Dear Anthea
Our deepest condolences.
Stuart was a beautiful man of great charm,wit and humour -not to mention courage. It was my great pleasure to be involved with him as he worked tirelessly for GNS.
Bob,Debra,Anne and Julia Drury
-
Roger Allen Dear Anthea,
I am in Toronto now and have just read in the Globe & Mail about Stuart.
His example of courage, wit, enthusiasm, intelligence and humanity shone through even to me as someone who did not know him well.
All I can say is I am very very sorry.
God bless,
Roger
-
Penelope Harwood and Simon Skey We are so sorry to hear of Stuart’s death. He was such a big part of the GNS experience for us. Our sympathy to all the family.
-
Hume and Cathrine Waring Your family was such a big part of our lives for those years we lived near you, and Stuart could always be counted on for a quip or insight that made us laugh or think. We love you all and will miss Stuart.
Many blessings
Hume and Cathrine
-
Alison (Grant) Partridge Dear Anthea, my thoughts are with you and the family. A light has gone out….Alison
-
Michael Cathy Simunovic & family Auntie Anthea please accept our heartfelt condolences. I am so glad I had the opportunity to visit with you and Uncle Stuart a couple of years ago, enjoy lunch with you both and meet Sara and her beautiful family. I have so many wonderful memories of you and Uncle Stuart. Please know that we are thinking of you all and sending you much love.
-
Robert Stephens Anthea and Family
It was with deep, deep sadness that I learned of Stuart’s recent death. I think often, and always fondly, of the great times we all had in Nanaimo – the stimulating conversations, good food and wine, the cross-country skiing and all of the family things that we did.
As a newly minted architect, I learned so much from him very quickly about our profession.
Thanks Stuart and god speed.
Much love
Bob
-
Chris Byng-Maddick I am but one of the 50+ students with Stuart on the Architecture Course, interest in Architecture given us by the course and tutors at the Regent Street Poly in the 1960’s and finished the course in 1970; that year we all left with a ‘special’, interest in Architecture instilled into us by the course and tutors at the Poly.
I remember Stuart’s projects as being ambitious and done on a large scale, very pleased to hear that he did so well in his working life, winning a deep respect of friends and family, always larger than life, please accept my condolences for your sad loss.
Chris Byng-Maddick
-
Gordon Piets Although he was my twin brother, we were utterly different. He was arty and I cannot draw a fish that anyone can recognise. He was tall dark and handsome, I am tall dark and handsomer. We had a fierce rivalry, none more so than on the sports field. I remember when we were 12 at school sports day, we won the 440 and 880 yards, the discus and the shot put. I won the 100 and 220 yards, the long and high jumps. We were both second in the events that the other won.
We both became professional in our chosen fields, and we both went overseas to live our adult lives, Stuart to Canada, me to Australia, which made it inevitable that we saw little of each other, or each other’s family. But in the last decade cheaper air travel, and Skype, greatly reduced the tyranny of distance. It was lovely that we always had a new joke (or two) to tell each other. He was the elder twin, but I always rang him from Australia the day after my birthday to wish him “happy birthday “, pointing out that I was now the elder as my birthday was yesterday. Our rivalry was the undercurrent in our relationship, but he has now won our last race and I shall have to be second.
Despite knowing his demise was imminent, I was surprisingly upset by his death. Thank goodness his suffering has ended.
He leaves behind a family of which he was, and should have been, truly proud and, of course, a GREAT twin brother, brother in law, uncle and great uncle who was proud to have been his brother.
Gordon
-
Larry & Melanie Sauve Anthea, Sara, Adrian, Hilary and each member of the Piets family: Even though we are not with you physically, we have been with you in thought and spirit. Stuart was our friend. He was a genuine character and how could we not love him? We have so many memories of our times with him and we hope to share them with you some time. We are heart broken at his passing. We wish we could have shared one last visit with him. We were looking forward to doing so when we come to B.C. We will miss him. Love never dies, Larry and Melanie.
Dear Anthea, Adrian, Sara and Hilary,
I am so sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing. I have very fond memories of sailing with him on a windless Swiftsure Race and a very breezy one as well. He amused us with funny jokes and stories – this helped pass the time on the night watch!
Thinking of all of you,
Beth and Andy Mullin