Tribute

August 21, 1945- August 15, 2019

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Blaine Charles Hardie.   He  was  born  in Arborfield,  Saskatchewan, the eldest son of Charles and Jean Hardie.; passing at home in Duncan, B.C. after a brief battle  with lung  cancer.

Cherished  by  Jan,  his wife of  over  51 years, and  two sons:  Darryl and Terri-Anne;  Duaine and Lorrie; and  his beloved grandchildren:  Breanna, Ethan, Braeden and Carley.    Survived also by brother, Garth and Judie Hardie;  sisters-in-law:  Jill and Don Godkin, and Joyce Hurford and Lynnie Ford;  nieces and nephews :  James, Amanda and  Jeremy; Fleming and Elizabeth ; Rick  and Kevin ; and  many  relatives Canada-wide and in Scotland.

Predeceased by his parents:   Charles  and  Eva Jean Hardie;  brother, Donald  ;  and sister-in-law, Joan and  Don McVey .

Blaine was raised with his two brothers on a rural farm in northern Saskatchewan attending school  in  Jordan  River  and  Arborfield.  At age 19 he headed to B.C.,  clearing  roads  and   logging  in Sechelt.  Next  he  moved  to Vancouver  Island  working briefly logging for MacMillan Bloedel.   At  Chemainus  Mill,  he drove lumber carrier.   He met and married Janice  (Jan) Hurford.   Together they  raised  two sons:  Darryl and Duaine .  In 1967 he attended Vocational Training  School  (VTS) taking heavy duty mechanics.  He apprenticed for Arrow Transport, then worked for Doman  Transport  and  TransIsle Freightways until  he  retired  after 38 years in the trucking industry.  He believed in unions.  A   natural leader, he was elected Shop Steward,  negotiated   many  contracts  and mentored  apprentices.

Each  organization  he joined  as a member , he volunteered and became   fully  involved :  Vimy Community Club- President and  Rentalsperson;  Cowiichan Agricultural Society- President; and  District A Farmers’ Institute- President.

His hobby of beekeeping developed into “Hardie Honey”  and  lead  to  more volunteer positions.  Blaine   became  President  of  Cowichan  Beekeepers, President of British Columbia Honey Producers (B.C.H.P.A.) and represented B.C.  as  federal  delegate on the  Canadian Honey Council (C.H.C.)   He served on numerous boards:  Duncan Curling Club and the Municipal Agriculture Advisory Committee.

Family was always important to him.  Supporting his sons, he coached Junior Baseball and Junior   Curling.    He curled for years ,  chairing  several  leagues and bonspiels.    Later   he supported his grandchildren in their endeavors: music, dancing and sports.

Fishing and hunting were  yearly pastimes .  Two of his favorite  places were Port Renfrew – camping and fishing;   and  the   Duncan Curling Club   lounge  rum and coke in hand.  He enjoyed  dancing  and playing cards especially with his grandchildren whom he loved beyond words.

Blaine   was an extremely proud man never afraid to state his opinion.   He   believed  in honesty and hard work.  He  was  not  rich in material things but rich in  family  and friends .   His  humor,  generosity,  hospitality ,  friendship, historical memory and presence will be missed by many.

Special thanks to Dr. V. Masuda and the Palliative Home Care Team West.

Donations to the charity of your choice.