Giles, Geoff May 5,1940 – March 12, 2026
Born in Twickenham, Geoff grew up in post-war London and after attending Christ’s Hospital School and working at the National Physics Laboratory, while studying for A levels, he subsequently earned a chemistry degree at the University of Birmingham. There, he met the absolute love of his life Linda, preceded only by his other love, rugby.
He was fond of recalling how he responded to an ad in the Sunday Times that encouraged teachers to ‘come to the Great White North, the land of the moose and beaver’ and that ‘the faint of heart need not apply’, so he immigrated in 1968 with his new wife Linda and daughter Alison to Terrace, B.C., for what was supposed to be a two-year adventure.
His love of the great outdoors was fuelled in Terrace with a penchant for fishing, at which he excelled, along with other pursuits including amateur theatre, curling, camping, and raft races down the Skeena River. Daughters Rosalind and Elizabeth were born there before he accepted a teaching position in 1974, at the new Parkland School in Sidney. With his typical can-do attitude, he moved his family in a VW camper van, along with a Pekingese dog and an orange tabbycat, to live at Sidney’s McDonald Park Road campsite until a house was bought just before school started.
Geoff was a teacher at heart with a career spanning 24 years in School District 63. His classroom floor showed evidence of frequent explosions and many students considered themselves lucky if he cracked a rubber hose in their direction during science or chem class. His impact was often cited by former students who recalled his enthusiastic natural ability to inspire for their own career choices.
His innate curiosity and creativity meant that he was constantly learning. In retirement he mastered woodworking and stone carving, dabbled in painting and reveled in his grandpa role beachcombing and crab hunting with his five grandchildren, amusing them with bawdy rugby songs and nurturing their various interests and pursuits. He tackled the Globe and Mail cryptic crossword most days, along with walking one of his many beloved dogs. He was a man with purpose, a zest for life, an appreciation for the arts, and a generosity of spirit.
Watching Geoff and Linda’s relationship was a privilege as theirs was a true love story. To Linda, he was a fiercely devoted fan. They traveled to over 40 countries, had more than five boats together (selling their last the “Linda G” when they spent less than 100 nights aboard), grew prolific vegetable gardens and were Victoria Symphony and Belfry Theatre supporters for more than three decades.
He was the kind of dad who built backyard geodesic domes, never said no to a stray pet joining the family, never yelled at car scrapes, and always felt there was room for ice cream.
Geoff will be missed by wife Linda, and daughters and families Alison (Brian, Olivia and Claire), Rosalind (Vijay, Jaipur and Elysse) and Elizabeth (Jeff and Emilia). Donations, if desired, to the BC Cancer Foundation, Canadian Red Cross or School District 63 literacy programs. The family will gather privately to celebrate him.
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My condolences to the Giles family. I was once your neighbour on Maryland Drive. I was also a student of Geoff, he taught me chemistry and he did a good job of it and he gave me a passion for it. I continued taking chemistry at university, however I did not get a chemistry degree, but the passion he gave me went a long way to giving me the opportunity to enter medical school.
As a coach he also gave me a passion for rugby. I had never played before but he was always encouraging myself and others.
Living next to you for a year I could see that his persona was no different away from home. He was a wonderful and remarkable person. I know he will be missed.
His memory will last a long time.
Best wishes to all his family.
Steve Wheeler