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June 14, 2020
Hugh "Buz" Basil Heath left us on June 14, 2020 at the age of 95. A life well lived.
Buz was born in Ottawa, in 1924 to Nellie and Lionel Heath. He was raised near Lethbridge, and afterward attended Strathcona School in Calgary. His family later moved back to Ottawa where he attended Ashbury College and McGill University.
In 1943, Buz joined the RCAF and became a fighter pilot. He married his first wife, Nancy, in 1944 and returned to McGill after the end of the war. In 1945, he transferred to UBC and graduated with a B.A., LLB in 1950. Buz went on to establish his own law firm in Nanaimo, now known as Heath Law.
Buz remarried in 1975, to Margaret Stewart, of New Westminster.
Buz had many passions and interests throughout his life. He was the driving force behind the resurgence of sailboat racing at the Nanaimo Yacht Club in the early 1960s, and proudly represented Canada in the Worlds 505 Championships in Australia in 1966.
Buz brought his passion for skiing and sailing to his family giving way to a legacy of outdoor enthusiasts. He made his last tracks in his 90th year at Cypress Mountain, with his son, Ian. Buz was also a very active member of the community. He was the president of the Nanaimo County Bar Association, the chair of Friends of the Library, a CNIB director for many years, as well as a contributor and fundraiser for the Port Theatre. Until recently, he was very active in the hiking/strolling group and the Nanaimo PROBUS club.
He was appointed Queens counsel in 1990
Buz is survived by one son, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held when social gatherings are safe for all of us. Meanwhile, rejoice in knowing that Buz has joined Margaret in a better place.
Buz rode tall in the saddle and always cast a long shadow.
We'll miss you Buz.


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