Cancer claims Sidney Town Crier
Bert Stevens helped put Sidney on the map with one word: Oyez, oyez Â… oyez !
SidneyÂ’s Official Town Crier died June 6 in the Palliative Care Unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital; he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.
After a working life that included time in his familyÂ’s car business in Kitchener, Ontario and becoming National Director of Promotions for the internationally renouned Gatti Circus, Stevens came to live in Sidney.
He was sworn in as the Official Town Crier as part of SidneyÂ’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 1991, he was the first official crier on the West Coast of Canada and brought World International Town Crier Tournaments, that take place every two years in different cities around the world, to Sidney.
“He was a very, very good town crier,” said Sidney councillor and honourary town crier Kenny Podmore. “He represented Sidney in quite a few competitions … he travelled to Australia, and the UK. He was very successful, with a group of people, having two world championships in Sidney, which is very unusual for one town to get back-to-back world championships.”
Over the years, Stevens was involved in many aspects of the community, and played a major part in helping Sidney grow as a town. He presented the original idea for street markets, which now happen all summer on Thursday nights. He was a founding member of the Sidney Business Association, he was active in the ‘Save the Ferry’ movements for Anacortes and Brentwood Bay/Mill Bay ferries, and he assisted in marketing development for the Pier on Bevan with Reg Teeney. He has also been a member of the Sidney by the Sea Rotary for years.
“You would never know the man was dealing with so many health related issues over his lifetime,” said Bill Hastings, a friend and fellow rotarian. “He always had such a cheerful, positive attitude. He was hard of hearing, partly sightless and he still did so many things in the town crier area. He and I still shared hockey tickets until last year … he belonged to our poker club. He could hardly see the cards, but he was lucky — he would always win.”
Stevens was a tireless volunteer around town, helping with the Sidney Dixieland Jazz Festival and sitting as chair of the advisory committee for people with disabilities.
Perhaps he will be remembered most for leading the annual Sidney Days parade with his wife Marolyn; in the last few years, they were joined by his guide dog Bing.
The BC Guide Dog Association has given Bing to Marolyn, as he is now close to retirement age, said Podmore. Marolyn and Bing will lead this yearÂ’s Sidney Days parade escorted by Podmore and Victoria Town Crier Bob Alexander as a final tribute to Stevens.
“I’d like to say how fortunate Sidney was to have Bert in our midst,” said Hastings. “Bert and his dog Bing wandering the Town of Sidney will really be missed.”
A memorial service will be held for Stevens at St. PaulÂ’s United Church in Sidney at 1 p.m. June 23.
editor@peninsulanewsreview.com
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