Garth Stanley Traxler

Garth Stanley Traxler

Sept 7/1943- Oct 19/2024

Garth was born in Calgary on Sept 7 1943 at Holy Cross Hospital. He was the first born of Margaret Traxler ( nee Ashmore) and Howard Traxler. His sister Bonnie was born 4 years later to complete their family.  Many memories were made in Alberta, traveling and camping with the family. Garths dad worked for the forestry and quite often Garth would go with him to look out towers and remote areas of Alberta. 

Joan and Garth met in 1960 in Calgary at a youth function. They got married on Sept 18 1965 in Calgary. Garth had already started university in Boseman Montana studing Micro Biology.  In 1966 they headed to University of Washington, where he recieved a degree in Fisheries in 1968.   They knew that they would  not  stay in the USA, so he applied for a position with Dept of Fisheries in Halifax studing oysters. For his interview, he stood a a payphone on University Ave, putting coins into a payphone!  They packed up their posssessions, a TV, a stereo and sewing machine.... and drove to Halifax. Michelle , their daughter was born in June 1969,and Rob in Dec 1970.  In 1974  everyone moved to Winnipeg, and Garth worked for Fresh Water Insitute @ University of Manitoba, they didn't even have time to move into the brand new home they bought before heading to Nanaimo BC.  Garth  accepted an offer to work with Dr. Gordon Bell at the Pacific Biological Station studing salmon, and salmon viruses, both in  farmed and wild salmon. He spent the rest of his career in Nanaimo. Many friends were made at the PBS, all of who remained important to him his entire life. Garth had many opportunities to travel and speak around the world in such places as Indonesia, Washington DC, Waymoth Eng,  Iceland, Malta and many places  in the USA .

After retirement in 2008, Garth and Joan continued to travel including Crete, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany and many more countries in Europe.  They both enjoyed seeing cultures and learning history of the places they visited.

Garth was a terrific grandpa to Kennedy and Aliya, giving them support and encouragment always. He was always impressed when taking them for Sushi, as they could eat more than he ever imagined.

During his retirement years Garth enjoyed his golf games with his golf buddies. He enjoyed playing at Pheasant Glen in Qualicum where he was a member.

The family would like to credit to some of his amazing Drs. Dr Alyson Kydd, Dr. Blair Fulton, Dr. Anthony Booth, Dr, Tiandai Gao, and Dr. Pieter Boshoff.