Obituary for Gregory James Aitken
On Saturday February 12th, 2022, Greg Aitken died at Royal Jubilee Hospital. He was 61 years old.
Greg is survived by his wife Klari; his children, Tim and Emily; brother Rob; brothers and sisters-in-law Zoltan, Marguerite, Krisztina, and Brian; and his nieces and nephew, Kamilla, Gabriella, and Matthias.
Greg was born on January 30th in North Vancouver. He was soon thereafter adopted by James and Lucilla Aitken. Greg had a happy childhood, and fond memories of riding his stingray bike (with banana seat), and skiing on Grouse Mountain with the neighborhood boys and his older brother, Rob.
Greg graduated from Handsworth Secondary in 1979 and went on to attend the University of British Columbia where he graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a Horticulture specialty.
Greg married Klari in 1984. The two met at a luncheon in 1983 held by the council of garden clubs to thank the council for financial gifts they were rewarded for academic achievement. They welcomed Tim in 1985, and Emily in 1988. From 1984-1987 the couple ran their own landscaping company.
In 1989-1991 Greg built a timber frame house with log siding for his family in Mission, BC. The family moved to Abbotsford when Greg was hired at the University of the Fraser Valley. He spent the majority of his career there looking after the grounds of two campuses totaling 120 acres, and averaging only two staff. At the University, Greg participated in the opening of the CIVL radio station and curated playlists for his radio show--The Wheelbarrow Show-- for over 10 years. Greg spent countless hours listening to music for his show and was keen to promote new and unknown artists. In 2017, Greg decided to retire early, and moved to Lake Cowichan. Here he turned a hopeless scree pile into a beautiful garden.
Greg was passionate about plants and committed to making the world a better place. He always had a project or two on the go which he always finished. He mastered carpentry on many levels including furniture making. He loved music and enjoyed hiking, cycling and kayaking.
A private memorial service for Greg will be held at his daughter's home in Vancouver. Flowers and condolences can be sent to 9232 Kestrel Drive, Lake Cowichan, BC.
Greg is survived by his wife Klari; his children, Tim and Emily; brother Rob; brothers and sisters-in-law Zoltan, Marguerite, Krisztina, and Brian; and his nieces and nephew, Kamilla, Gabriella, and Matthias.
Greg was born on January 30th in North Vancouver. He was soon thereafter adopted by James and Lucilla Aitken. Greg had a happy childhood, and fond memories of riding his stingray bike (with banana seat), and skiing on Grouse Mountain with the neighborhood boys and his older brother, Rob.
Greg graduated from Handsworth Secondary in 1979 and went on to attend the University of British Columbia where he graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a Horticulture specialty.
Greg married Klari in 1984. The two met at a luncheon in 1983 held by the council of garden clubs to thank the council for financial gifts they were rewarded for academic achievement. They welcomed Tim in 1985, and Emily in 1988. From 1984-1987 the couple ran their own landscaping company.
In 1989-1991 Greg built a timber frame house with log siding for his family in Mission, BC. The family moved to Abbotsford when Greg was hired at the University of the Fraser Valley. He spent the majority of his career there looking after the grounds of two campuses totaling 120 acres, and averaging only two staff. At the University, Greg participated in the opening of the CIVL radio station and curated playlists for his radio show--The Wheelbarrow Show-- for over 10 years. Greg spent countless hours listening to music for his show and was keen to promote new and unknown artists. In 2017, Greg decided to retire early, and moved to Lake Cowichan. Here he turned a hopeless scree pile into a beautiful garden.
Greg was passionate about plants and committed to making the world a better place. He always had a project or two on the go which he always finished. He mastered carpentry on many levels including furniture making. He loved music and enjoyed hiking, cycling and kayaking.
A private memorial service for Greg will be held at his daughter's home in Vancouver. Flowers and condolences can be sent to 9232 Kestrel Drive, Lake Cowichan, BC.