Patrick Alan Aldous, 79, of Vancouver, B.C. Canada sadly passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
He was born on 12 March 1943 at Lionsgate (North Shore) Hospital in North Vancouver. He was predeceased by his parents Montague and Kathleen Aldous, brother Charles Aldous, and his uncle Alan Aldous. He leaves behind his wife Linda Aldous, brother Howard (Donna) Aldous, and step-mother Kay Aldous. His four daughters Kathleen (David Schleindl) Aldous-Schleindl, Wendy (Robert) Friesen, Betty (Matthew Downer) Aldous and Amy Aldous. His grandchildren Luke, Emma, Tyler, Sean, Sienna, Dylan and Max, and Lyn Dunn (née Sutton) to whom he was married from 1964-1984. He is also survived by his nephews Kent (Mary) Aldous, and Patrick (Janele) Aldous and their children Emily, Liam, Charlotte and Eloise; and his step-sister Jean (Norm) Pass, and step-brother Mel (Diana) Butler.
Patrick began his career as a Chartered Accountant and received his certification in Victoria, B.C., and then went on to article for Peat Marwick Mitchell in Vancouver B.C. He rose in his field to become the President of Okanagan Helicopters, and then with his business partner Dave Whyte bought Alpine Helicopters in 1988, thereby becoming co-owner and CEO of Alpine. Alpine grew to include Alpine Aerotech and Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH). That combined company was sold to Intrawest Corp. in 1998.
Patrick was an accomplished athlete and was passionate about supporting and promoting Canadian Rugby. Pat played rugby for Kats RFC and BC, captaining Canada's Men's Rugby Team in 1971. He was Chairman of Rugby Canada and member of the Rugby Canada Foundation Board which he stayed on until very recently, and remained a current member of the Canadian Rugby Sevens board. He was involved in the launch of Canada Sevens and was instrumental in the development of the Al Charron National Training Centre. Upon his retirement as Chairman of the Rugby Canada board in 2020 he was honoured with the Chairperson Award. Pat was also a Canadian Olympic Committee Representative for rugby.
Additional interests included playing the saxophone for the Kitsilano Boys Band under the direction of Arthur W. Delamont, which he enjoyed greatly, and in recent years he was on the advisory board for Quails' Gate Estate Winery and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra.
He enjoyed travel, theatre, spending time with his family and friends, good restaurants, fine wine, and watching sports. He always encouraged his children to strive to do their best, and to continually "accentuate the positive!". He travelled extensively throughout his life, most recently in support of Rugby Canada, hosting large family trips, and taking trips with Linda and their friends.
As well as his successful career and rugby achievements, Pat will be greatly missed as a loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to many. He passed away on Valentine's Day but on this day of love we will always remember a man that loved life and lived it to the fullest. He had a formidable presence, and was kind, charming, sharp-witted and generous.
The family wishes to thank the kind staff at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver for their care of Pat, where he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, after having suffered a serious stroke.
We invite you to make a donation to Women's Rugby Canada in his honour, in lieu of sending flowers. https://canadianrugbyfoundation.ca/index.php/monty-heald-national-womensfund/
A private gathering was held for the immediate family but a Celebration of Life will be held in the summer 2023 in his honour. Details TBA.