He passed away on May 6th, 2008.
We scattered his ashes over the waters of Brentwood Bay, at the same location as where we scattered my mother's ashes.

OWEN, Samuel
14 January, 1923 - 6 May, 2008

Peacefully, on May 6, at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Sam Owen passed away at tbe age of 85 years.

Sam Owen was born on January 14, 1923, in Rhuddlan (now part of Rhyl), Wales, the youngest of five children of Cyril Gilbert (C.G.) Owen and Sarah Dunn Armstrong. His parents and siblings, who had been living in Canada for many years, had returned to the UK from Canada shortly before because - according to Sam - his father had wanted to have a Welsh child.

Sam grew up in Wales and England, and eventually joined the Royal Navy, serving during the latter part of WWII as a Petty Officer aboard HMS Larne, a minesweeper, in the Mediterranean. He and his shipmates aided allied landings on the south coast of France during Operation Dragoon in August 1944; and in October 1944 his ship was so badly damaged by a mine off the coast of Greece during Operation Edgehill that it was out of action for the remainder of the War.

HMS Larne after hitting a mine off the coast of Greece

When the War ended, Sam's entire family moved back to Canada. Sam travelled aboard an American aircraft carrier to the east coast of the U.S., then crossed the continent by train to join his family in Victoria. Sam, together with his father and brother John established Owen & Sons Cash Registers, a very successful cash register business serving all of B.C.

Sam met Prudence Elizabeth (Betty) Milloy and they married in 1948.
They raised five children: Gilbert, David, Patricia, Edward and Scott.
Sam was devastated when Betty passed away in 1987.

A salesman through-and-through, he always held the other point of view, and just when you thought you had him cornered in an argument, he had switched sides. He had quite a sense of humour, and loved to flirt; he was stubborn and could tease relentlessly; but he loved his family, provided well for them, and could be very generous. He loved animals, especially his horse and dogs.

Following a serious fall in April 2007, he was admitted to Saanich Peninsula Hospital. He was known for his cast-iron constitution, and he surprised us all by pulling through his very serious injuries and related infections. Nevertheless, with worsening dementia, Sam needed round-the-clock care, and could not return home. We are all very grateful to our sister Pat, who gave him a great deal of loving care, allowing him to live at home as long as he did. Despite the fact that Sam always had an aversion to doctors and hospitals, Sam seemed content and peaceful during his year there. We thank his physician, Dr. Trottershaw, and the nurses and staff of Saanich Peninsula Hospital who showed him respect and cared for him.

He leaves behind his children Gil (Suzanne), Dave (Heather), Pat (Larry), Ed (Lori) and Scott (Hans), as well as 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the SPCA or Victoria Adoptables. Sam's ashes will be scattered during a private service.