Jeffrey Lyal Hornsby was born April 15, 1959 and passed away in the loving embrace of his wife, Sandy, on April 7, 2021.
He is predeceased by his father, Lyal Hornsby, and mother, Janet Devlin. He leaves behind his wife, who was the love of his life, Sandra Dee Hornsby, and his ever-faithful canine companion, Marley; his daughter Kyla Victoria Thomson; his stepdaughter Heidi Walter (Craig Stogre), grandchildren Tyshawn Walter, Frankie Brielle Thomson, Van Clayton Thomson, and Remi Grace Thomson; brother Grant Hornsby (Shelley Hornsby); and sister Nancy Campbell-Gillies. He also leaves behind many friends and family throughout his life with whom he crossed paths in school, Cadets, the airlines, and the diving communities whom he thought the world of and who helped shaped the man he became.
Close friends the past 20 years who checked on him regularly were more family than his own who were estranged, with the exception, of his stepdaughter Heidi and son-in-law Craig. Terry and Sheila Forsyth, Daryl Lawlor and Jeannie Light, Harold and Ellen Watson, and Curtis Sander and Amanda Boutilier. To them we owe a world of gratitude for their friendship and kindnesses throughout the years and to his caregiver the past two years, Marilyn Cooke, whom Jeff thought of as a sister and who lovingly provided him comfort as his condition deteriorated.
Jeff was our hero. He was courageous in his fight against Parkinson’s, but he did so with incredible humility. He used humor to put others at ease and was able to appreciate the beauty in everyone he met. He was a loving husband, wonderful friend, a great listener who always offered sound advice, never judged, only accepted others for who they were. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was an incredibly funny man who put a smile on the faces of everyone he met. He never had an ill word to share about anyone he knew. He never complained although he struggled with his health for so many years. He loved his grandchildren but was never given the opportunity to really get to know them. He would request special trips to hand pick gifts for each of them and lovingly chose treasures he thought they might like. It was all he had to give but he gave it from his heart. His grandchildren missed out knowing the amazing man he was, the kind gentle soul who was a lover of animals and music, and an adventurer in life.
Jeff was a JTC Cadet, a JRK Millen Navy League Cadet and a Quadra alumnus early on when he is was in late teens and early 20’s. He began working with the airlines before leaving high school first working with Pacific Western Airlines, then Canadian, and finally Air Canada. He worked his way up to a Systems Operations Control Manager and worked as a Project Manager in Corporate Real Estate for Air Canada part time before going off on disability. He retired from Air Canada in 2016.
Jeff was a Private Investigator with his own firm, AB Deringer, working primarily with women in domestic violence situations. His passions in life were sailing, scuba diving, flying, horseback riding, fly fishing, and cooking. He was happiest on the water with a huge grin from ear to ear when the sails of his sailboat were in the water. He loved the British Virgin Islands where he and his wife spent many trips sailing around the Caribbean. He had his black belt in karate and was a PADI Scuba Dive Instructor. He loved teaching scuba diving and worked with the Dive Shop and Adventures in Scuba in Calgary, Alberta. He was an amazing cook, and his wife was his sous chef. He enjoyed planning dinner parties and sharing his creations with family and friends.
Jeff was dearly loved and will be terribly missed. Knowing him made you a better person because of the special gifts of love he gave those dear and close to him. He is at peace now and free from the struggles life gave him. Wishing you calm seas and fair winds my love! May you rest in peace sweetheart!
Special thanks to his healthcare teams here in B.C. notably Dr. Lindsay Brian Pritchett, Dr. Marie Michaud and the Peritoneal Dialysis team at the Kelowna General Hospital, Dr. Francois Pretorius, Dr. Ryan Kilostoff, Dr. Hussein Hollands, Dr. Cornelius Bester, Community Care, the Quick Response and Palliative Care teams from the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Society of British Columbia.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey, please visit our floral store.
Jeffrey Lyal Hornsby was born April 15, 1959 and passed away in the loving embrace of his wife, Sandy, on April 7, 2021.
He is predeceased by his father, Lyal Hornsby, and mother, Janet Devlin. He leaves behind his wife, who was the love of his life, Sandra Dee Hornsby, and his ever-faithful canine companion, Marley; his daughter K
There are no events scheduled.
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey Lyal Hornsby.Visit the Tribute Store