Anchor Struck

Last Saturday, our  community and many other folks on Quadra Island met at the Granite

Bay dock in gloomy weather to honour Al the Mayor, who died in his home February 12th.

Here the group starts to gather, sharing coffee, tea and Al stories.

Others spend a moment alone.

Paul flashes by.

The memorial begins, presided over by our regional district director Jim Abram.  Al’s widow

Sue is beside him.

The crowd shares more tales of Al.

Jolie and her daughter Maese pay their respects.  Maese’s older brother Mowat, busy with

beachcombing and berry picking, was not available for photo or comment.

Al’s siblings Dave, Ray and Jill were there.  The memorial was organized by Sharon, Dave’s wife,

with a hearty assist from Jude.  After the service at the dock concluded, the family scattered Al’s

ashes in an orchard near Al and Sue’s home.  The ashes of several other family members are also

there.

And here’s the man himself.

This wonderful photo was taken by Nina Toulmin for the cover of Al’s book Born to the Wilds,

which Nina also edited.  She fully captured his wildness and orneriness.  Al gave the shotgun

he’s holding to his friend Lee shortly before Al died.  Lee loaned it to us when we were having

our bear visitor.  If you scroll to the bottom of this post, you’ll see Jude carrying it.