September 19, 1939 - April 26, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Dick Aylard was born in Victoria, BC, to Arthur and Elise Aylard of Brackenhurst Farm in North Saanich. His cherished siblings are older brothers George and Ken, and younger sister Ann.
After working on the family dairy farm, adventuring with Ken, and sometimes driving his school teachers nuts, he attended UBC for a year before starting his own mixed livestock and grain farm in Fort St. John. There he met his future wife of 58 years, Ruth Penner, and they had their first four children, Cathy, Rob, Janet, and Kerry.
They moved back to Vancouver Island, had two more kids, Pat and Alana, and then landed in beautiful Mara, where they started another farm and continued to live until his death. Dick's love of farming, close community, and awe for new life was appreciated by those who knew him. He planted perfectly straight strawberry, raspberry, and carrot rows.
He attended and cheered loudly at hundreds of his kids' & grandkids' sporting events, and helped his "woollies" deliver healthy lambs for decades. Dick loved to read and consult with others, humbly striving to improve his crops and livestock.
He served 3 years as president of the Okanagan vegetable marketing board, regularly attended farm events, and enjoyed many trailer trips to Mexico, California, Alaska, and all over the western provinces.
"Sheep grandpa" will be deeply missed by his wife Ruth, 6 kids & spouses, 24 grandkids & spouses,13 great grandkids, siblings & spouses, the Penner clan, and many lifelong friends.
Service Saturday May 4, 2024
(bring your own chair)
Aylard Family Farm - Mara 11am
Graveside - Mara Cemetery 12 noon
Drop-in Reception - Mara Hall 1-3pm
Service Details
11:00 AM