Tribute

Ted Grant Lofto, 64 of Cowichan Bay died May 20th, 2017 from complications related to pancreatic cancer.  He left this world surrounded by his close family.

Ted was born July 11th, 1952 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Originally raised on his father Gordon John Lofto’s farm in Starbuck, Manitoba, his family moved to Winnipeg in 1959, where Ted attended school.  Growing up he had to constantly remind people that his birth certificate said ‘Ted’, and not ‘Theodore’.  He attended the University of Winnipeg, and was active in scouting and sea cadets in his hometown.

He graduated in 1976 with a degree in social work, and by 1977 was working in Prince Rupert for the ministry of human resources.  He met his wife Diane Campbell there, before moving to Kitsilano in 1981 where Ted found work in Vancouver.  Married in 1981, they bought their first house in New Westminster.  After taking a trip around the world in 1986, he realized New West wasn’t where they wanted to be, so they moved to Duncan in 1987.  He kept up with his work in the ministry there, which he continued for another 30 years until 2017, when he retired.

Ted was always involved in the community in some capacity, and especially through the Duncan United Church where he’d help to put on dinners for the homeless.  Over his children’s lives he would grow with them to coach basketball, field hockey, soccer, whatever let him play and help others.  He cherished vacations his family took through the years, to Mexico or Disneyland.  If a beach or pool was involved, you could always find Ted snoozing somewhere in the sun.  He was always an outstanding father to both his children and the children in his lives that were not his own.
His surviving family mourns his loss: his mother Connie, sisters Barb and Brenda, and children Melanie and John.  He leaves behind his first grandchild Malachi Fiddler Ted Lofto, born three days before his cancer diagnosis.  Countless cousins, nephews, and nieces have also been greatly affected by his passing.

A service will be held at Duncan United Church on June 3rd at 3 pm, followed by a tea in the Heritage Hall there.  Stories and pictures of his life can be sent to his son at jlofto@gmail.com.