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In Memory of
David
Rolfe
Rolfe
1932 - 2016
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McKenzie Funeral Services
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Obituary for David Rolfe
David Richard Lyttelton Rolfe
12 June 1932 – 4 July 2016
At home and surrounded by family our beloved David left us on Monday evening 4th July finally succumbing to his brave, and privately fought, 16 year battle with prostate cancer. Born in Vancouver to Irene (nee Wheatland) and Walter John Lyttelton Rolfe, he attended St. George’s School where he graduated in 1949. He went on to become Chairman of the Board of Directors of the school and President of the Old Boys’ Association and in 2011 was awarded the Georgian Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding commitment to the school.
On leaving school he articled with the local firm of Frederick Field and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1955 and in 1958 founded what is now known as Rolfe, Benson LLP. For his dedication and service to the profession the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC awarded him with a Fellowship in 1985 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He served on the boards of many institutions, including: Pearson College Foundation, VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Endeavour Society for the Benefit of the Arts, Sciences and Health, the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Estate Planning Council of Vancouver. David was also past treasurer & Director of Crofton House School, Past President of the Vancouver Club, and a Patron of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. In 1992 he was awarded the Confederation of Canada Medal for significant contributions to his fellow citizens, their communities and to Canada.
In his opinion the game of Rugby Football was the best game in the world and even though he was battered and bruised many times he carried on playing in the front row for years eventually ‘graduating’ to being a referee! He served on the board of the Vancouver Rugby Union and the BC Rugby Referees Society.
A self confessed “cradle to the grave Anglican” in 2012 the Diocese of New Westminster recognized his over 50 years of service to his Parish and the Diocese by awarding him the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster. In 1989 David was invested into the Vancouver Commandery of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller, a 900 year old Order of Chivalry dedicated to helping the sick and poor, and worked hard within the Commandery rising through the ranks eventually becoming a Bailiff serving on the Sovereign Council. In 2010 he was elected the 76th Grand Master of the Order. David and his beloved wife Margaret travelled throughout North America and Europe fulfilling his duties as Grand Master and making many close friends in the Order.
A member of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for 69 years and a Past Commodore, he was happiest when aboard “Tradition 1” boating around the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. His passion for boating brought friends and family together: whether it was the annual family trip to Wigwam Inn or cruising the River Thames between Windsor and Oxford. He and Margaret loved travelling the globe, both as a couple and with various groups of friends and family.
Survived by his loving and devoted wife Margaret, his sister Elizabeth Rolfe-Thomas, his much loved children Sue Tufts, Tricia Dixon (Keith) and Cameron Rolfe (Mary Letson), step sons Mark Slay (Donna Cooke) and Craig Slay, and his beloved grandchildren Kevin, Ryan, Patrick and Micheal Tufts (their father Ken Tufts), Shelby and Ashley Slay (their mother Brenda Slay), and Jeremy Waurechen.
Special thanks to Dr. Chi and Dr. Kim Sing at the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Martin & Tracy Gleave, Dr. Peter Edmunds & Palliative Care Team at Lions Gate Hospital and the nurses who so lovingly cared for David the last weekend of his journey.
A memorial service will be held for David in Vancouver at Christ Church Cathedral, July 26th at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in David’s memory to the Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation, Suite 2200, Four Bentall Centre, 1055 Dunsmuir St. P.O. Box 49214, Vancouver, V7X 1K8. Or the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, Palliative Care, 231 East 15th St, North Vancouver, V7L 2L7.
12 June 1932 – 4 July 2016
At home and surrounded by family our beloved David left us on Monday evening 4th July finally succumbing to his brave, and privately fought, 16 year battle with prostate cancer. Born in Vancouver to Irene (nee Wheatland) and Walter John Lyttelton Rolfe, he attended St. George’s School where he graduated in 1949. He went on to become Chairman of the Board of Directors of the school and President of the Old Boys’ Association and in 2011 was awarded the Georgian Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding commitment to the school.
On leaving school he articled with the local firm of Frederick Field and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1955 and in 1958 founded what is now known as Rolfe, Benson LLP. For his dedication and service to the profession the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC awarded him with a Fellowship in 1985 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He served on the boards of many institutions, including: Pearson College Foundation, VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Endeavour Society for the Benefit of the Arts, Sciences and Health, the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Estate Planning Council of Vancouver. David was also past treasurer & Director of Crofton House School, Past President of the Vancouver Club, and a Patron of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. In 1992 he was awarded the Confederation of Canada Medal for significant contributions to his fellow citizens, their communities and to Canada.
In his opinion the game of Rugby Football was the best game in the world and even though he was battered and bruised many times he carried on playing in the front row for years eventually ‘graduating’ to being a referee! He served on the board of the Vancouver Rugby Union and the BC Rugby Referees Society.
A self confessed “cradle to the grave Anglican” in 2012 the Diocese of New Westminster recognized his over 50 years of service to his Parish and the Diocese by awarding him the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster. In 1989 David was invested into the Vancouver Commandery of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller, a 900 year old Order of Chivalry dedicated to helping the sick and poor, and worked hard within the Commandery rising through the ranks eventually becoming a Bailiff serving on the Sovereign Council. In 2010 he was elected the 76th Grand Master of the Order. David and his beloved wife Margaret travelled throughout North America and Europe fulfilling his duties as Grand Master and making many close friends in the Order.
A member of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for 69 years and a Past Commodore, he was happiest when aboard “Tradition 1” boating around the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. His passion for boating brought friends and family together: whether it was the annual family trip to Wigwam Inn or cruising the River Thames between Windsor and Oxford. He and Margaret loved travelling the globe, both as a couple and with various groups of friends and family.
Survived by his loving and devoted wife Margaret, his sister Elizabeth Rolfe-Thomas, his much loved children Sue Tufts, Tricia Dixon (Keith) and Cameron Rolfe (Mary Letson), step sons Mark Slay (Donna Cooke) and Craig Slay, and his beloved grandchildren Kevin, Ryan, Patrick and Micheal Tufts (their father Ken Tufts), Shelby and Ashley Slay (their mother Brenda Slay), and Jeremy Waurechen.
Special thanks to Dr. Chi and Dr. Kim Sing at the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Martin & Tracy Gleave, Dr. Peter Edmunds & Palliative Care Team at Lions Gate Hospital and the nurses who so lovingly cared for David the last weekend of his journey.
A memorial service will be held for David in Vancouver at Christ Church Cathedral, July 26th at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in David’s memory to the Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation, Suite 2200, Four Bentall Centre, 1055 Dunsmuir St. P.O. Box 49214, Vancouver, V7X 1K8. Or the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, Palliative Care, 231 East 15th St, North Vancouver, V7L 2L7.
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