Tracy Walker, 84, passed away at qathet General Hospital. He was born to Marjorie (née Walker) and Adam Peter Lakusta in Lamont, Alberta. At a young age his family moved to Port Moody.
Tracy studied bioscience for a year at UBC. Among other occupations he was an ironworker, a commercial diver, an oyster farmer and a harvester of geoducks. He was well known to be inventive and entrepreneurial, opening and running multiple businesses in Powell River. He developed and sold prawn traps with a noncorrosive coating and designed and built aluminum commercial boats that are still seen in local waters. His business, Powell River Microsystems, helped people buy their first home computer.
As an adult, Tracy also lived in Alberta, the Lower Mainland and off-grid in several rugged and remote locations in Desolation Sound. When living in Lund, he was a local host to a National Geographic team. In his late 40s, Tracy obtained his private pilot’s licence and was a member of the Westview Flying Club, flying a Cessna 140 and 150.
Tracy was predeceased by his first wife Virginia; his second wife Joanna; his daughter Shelly; and sisters Paddy and Beverly. He is survived by children Dave (Phyllis), Beverly (Rick), Pattie, Shelley (Hank), Stacey (Brian) and Melanie; and grandchildren Connor, Jasper, Sophie, Arlo, Maia, Nerissa, Jade, Jewel and Kate.
His family will miss him and is grateful for the good memories he brought to our lives, whether it be teaching us to fly a plane, sail a boat, fillet salmon or debate politics of the day. His life was full of adventure.
A celebration of his life was held at the Westview Flying Club on Saturday, March 22.
