We Remember
IVES, Colin Michael
February 18, 1942 — June 1, 2017
Age 75 years
Born in London, England, the only child to Ron and Doris, Colin learned, at an early age, how to make his own fun, a skill that never left him and served him well throughout his life. When only a child he lost his beloved Mum, and eventually, in adolescence he left school to help his Dad in the family business. By day, they ran a neighborhood pet store. By night they were involved in Greyhound racing. Their kennels were full of competitors in various stages of their racing careers. From this grew Colin’s love of dogs… once a dog lover, forever a dog lover.
Later, as soon as he was old enough, he joined the British military and there discovered a life-long passion for motorcycles. (He used that passion later, in Canada, to write and create The B.C. Motorcycle Training Program, still in use today.) He was selected to join the SAS, a special branch within the army, and was named the C.O.’s bodyguard. Everywhere the C.O. went, Colin had to accompany him. That even included jumping out of, as Colin would say, “perfectly good airplanes!”
Colin wanted to leave England and see the world. He took on three jobs, simultaneously, in order to earn enough money to immigrate to Canada. And in 1964, as a fresh-faced 22-year-old, he left his dad and flew to Toronto. He took a job as a waiter on the CN trains and spent many of his first months in Canada traveling back and forth by train, between Vancouver and Winnipeg. Colin decided that Canada, in particular Western Canada, was where he wanted to build his life and he became a Canadian citizen as soon as he was able. He pursued avid interests in politics and travel and perfected the art of making friends.
He met Susan, the love of his life, on the first Wednesday in April 1977. Together they built a marriage filled with love and respect. They faced life with an unmatched level of devotion to each other. In his business life, Colin was an uncompromising entrepreneur. He built a successful group of companies chiefly known as “Ives Training.” His focus was on the safe operation of heavy equipment and the programs he created became the industry standard throughout North America. In the early nineties, Colin was appointed to Board of Directors of The Pacific Pilotage Authority, where his knowledge and expertise in the safety field was expanded to include the pilotage of commercial marine vessels.
In 1997, Colin and Susan moved from greater Vancouver to Kelowna, where Colin pursued his equine interests. He loved his English Shire horses and burst with pride at seeing them compete in driving competitions during the summer months and pulling the sleigh at Big White in the winter. Upon retirement, Colin continued his desire to travel by taking up cruising. Together, he and Susan, traveled the world, where Colin enjoyed not only seeing all the sights but also meeting new people and widening his circle of life-long friends.
Colin withstood his increasing health challenges with strength and courage. His humour and resilience, in the face of relentless adversity, were an inspiration to all that knew him. His passing leaves an enormous hole in countless hearts and he will be forever missed.
Colin is survived by his loving wife Susan, and extended family and friends all around the globe. Predeceased by his Dad, Walter Ronald and his Mum, Doris Emily. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 16th at 4:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. Should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.ca.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Friday, June 16th at 4:00 pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
Canadian Diabetes Association Link: www.diabetes.ca
Service Information
Service Details
The service for IVES, Colin Michael is scheduled for Friday, June 16th at 4:00 pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Dear Susan: Evan and I are very sorry for the loss of Colin. We knew he fought hard and respected that, and also he was generous and had a great sense of humour and attitude. We are very sorry. Our sympathies and regards, Norm and Evan Barry, Kelowna BC.
Our thoughts are with you Susan. Colin’s life was eased a thousandfold by means of your constant love, care, devotion and support. We will see you next week during his celebration of life. He will be missed by so many people who knew and loved him.
my deepest sympathy…
Colin was a fine man, a role model for many. He will be missed.
Dear Susan, our condolences to you during this time of grieving. Many years ago we were privileged to drop in on Colin and his horses. Although you were not home, Colin proved to be a gracious host. We remember fondly those moments and I recall with great delight those times you called on me as a sales representative. Blessings and prayers for you.
Fred & Linda Noordam
We are so saddened to hear of Colin’s passing. He changed the whole direction of my career and our lives, for which I am so grateful. We lost our leader at the Council when he went to share his life with you, Susan, but it led to a wonderful life for you both. We will miss him.
Susan–you were a great team–I know that it has been a struggle over the past while. Please know and remember that your many friends are here for you as you go through the healing process. Love Paul/Gay
Dear Susan: Although the years passed and the miles between us grew, Colin was in our lives on a regular basis as we thought back over the many, many wonderful times we shared be it politics, “hobby farms” or simply being neighbours. We recall, often, the request to arrive at your temporary home wearing our ‘cabin clothes.’ We did and enjoyed the evening. We recall, too, the time when Colin was ‘Ho-Hoing” for Christmas dressed in a Santa Suit. After entertaining many children, he looked around for a place to stop in and relax and have a good cup of coffee. Knowing that we did not have young children at home, he opted to sit for the coffee at our Richmond home. At the time, one of our grandsons was staying with us- he was four years old and at an impressionable age. When Colin arrived, our grandson ran to the door and opened it .. and there, standing before him was SANTA! Needless to write, Colin’s silent plea to take off the fake beard, open the jacket and simply relax with a coffee, went by the board. That night Colin gave a wee lad a wonderful surprise – a private visit by Santa. Yes, we recall many times, all good and well worth remembering. We feel strongly that Colin is with his Lord in Heaven where all wonderful men [and husbands] go to enjoy the joys of Heaven. We feel, too, that English Shire horses will be standing by at the ready for a grand parade.
Sorry that medical reasons have caused us to miss Friday’s ‘moments of memory’ but you will be [and are] in our prayers. God Bless.
Susan
We were so sorry to hear of Colin’s passing and trust you know that our thoughts are with you.
Dear Susan, We were so sorry to hear of Colin’s passing.
Our thoughts are with you and we hope you find comfort with the help of your friends around you. x
Susan, we were very saddened to hear of Colin’s passing. Our original post
for some reason never appeared here, as we had sent our condolences the same
day you let us know. Colin was uniquely Colin. We so liked him because he
was never trying to be anyone else other than himself. He always said what
he felt, had a great sense of humor, was full of the ole nick. He was so
disciplined, organized, and determined to do things the right way, even
noticed that I had put his perfectly placed wall pictures slightly off
center, in an instant. He could take a joke, and like you Susan, had a warm
and kind smile. It was so nice to have lunch with the two of you a couple of
summers back. May God bless you Susan, our memories will always be fond of
the two of you very special people.
Brian and Sue Wilson