It is with deep sadness we share that Geoff passed peacefully at home on October 18, 2024, at the age of 73.
Geoff was born June 2, 1951, in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Denis R. Stubbs and Lois M. Stubbs (née Scott). At eight months old, the family of four boys moved to Bristol, England, and later, when he was three, to Armstrong, BC. His childhood included raising sheep through the 4H Club and riding his beloved horse, Shrimp.
In Grade 9, the family moved to Duncan (with Shrimp!) and after graduation, Geoff went on to the University of Victoria, where he graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Geography with Honours. Soon after graduation, he was hired by CUSO to teach two years in Papua, New Guinea. He returned home to complete the UVic Internship Program for Teachers, which led to his 32 years of teaching in Port Alberni. He started at Mt. Klitsa Jr. High School and his last 20 years were done at Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS). While there he taught Social Studies, but primarily he is credited with building a much loved and successful Media Studies program. From his media classroom, he was most proud of creating the school’s daily live show “ABC NEWS”.
Geoff’s contributions to ADSS went far beyond his classroom teaching time. He motivated students to get involved with BC Festival of Arts and enjoyed taking them to the provincial competitions. He volunteered as technical director to all of the school’s theatrical productions. Many of his former students have gone on to successful careers in film/tv, photography and broadcasting. The artistic community of Port Alberni also reaped the benefits of his expertise “behind the scenes” with his involvement in both Portal Player Productions and AV Musical Theatre.
Geoff’s passion for teaching and travel led him to volunteer with Project Overseas through the Canadian Teachers Federation for eight summers teaching the teachers in Cameroon, Guyana, Dominica, Malawi and Nigeria. He loved his travels to 77 countries in total.
In 2003, Geoff moved to Qualicum Beach, where he bought and started renovating another home. In 2006, he reconnected with Dawn (Nordman, née Skinner), “the love of his life,” and they married in October, 2008. Together, they transformed their home and garden plus started their love of travel and adventure.
When their grandchildren moved to Powell River, they decided to relocate in 2013 to their dream waterfront property, with room for Geoff to fulfill his goal of building a garden railway plus a workshop for working on vintage cars and gas pumps. He enjoyed volunteering with other great guys to drive the passenger train at the farmers’ market. His love of trains started from growing up with a Hornby Dublo train set, and later driving the train at the Duncan Forest Museum as summer work between years at UVic. He and Dawn were members of the Vintage Car Club plus they enjoyed Scottish Country Dancing, hiking and travelling with their rpod. He was also an avid world stamp collector.
Geoff was a kind, helpful, generous, humble, witty, patient man, and a devoted, loving husband. He will be dearly missed by his wife Dawn and their dog, Ceilidh, his brothers Bob (Iris) and Ken (Kathy), nieces, nephews, Dawn’s four sons and seven grandchildren, cousins, extended family and many friends. He was predeceased by his brother David (2017 and Brenda 2021).
A Celebration of Life will be held at Beach Gardens on November 30 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Geoff’s honour may be made to Four Tides Hospice Society in Powell River for the construction of a hospice house, or to a charity of your choice.
