Tag Archives: Happy Warrior

ADRIAN KOELEMAN 1978

I started at Strathcona Park Lodge in February 1978. My position as a mechanic was to maintain all the equipment, diesel generator, vehicles, chain saws, boat motors etc. For me it was a fantastic place to be, having gone through my separation from my wife. There were only about twelve of us, including people my age who I could talk to. One night a week we would go to Stevie Smith’s cabin to sing songs and drink wine, or we would go to town and to the pub.

Myrna says: For 28 years Adrian was a mechanic on afternoon shift in Gold River working for the local logging company. Adrian did all our mechanical work in a couple of hours in the morning BEFORE he went to work a shift fixing logging equipment. We could not have survived without Adrian. In return we supplied him with a tiny cabin and food. Adrian to Jim was a “Happy Warrior.” Read more

Adrian was SPL’s part-time mechanic and community member for 30 years. Back in the late ’70s Jim Boulding described Adrian as a ‘Happy Warrior.’ He continued to provide advice, and charm both guests and staff. We miss him.

Adrian Koleman

11 June 1947 – 25 January 2012

Adrian was confronted with the devastated diagnosis of cancer which ended his life much too soon and in such short time. He passed away peacefully at home.

Adrian was the 7th child born to Adrianus Koeleman and Catharina Koeleman-van den Burg in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. He left to mourn his daughter Zoe (Shawn) Read and his grandchildren Oliver and Joshua. His siblings Reno (Florence), Cornel (Rob), Pieter (Beja), Jan (Mick), Joost (Piet), Annemiek (Jan). Many nephews and nieces. His ex wife Sandy Spearing, his good friend and caregiver Debbie, friends Jody, Debra and Nancy.

Adrian emigrated to Canada at the age of 16 where he became a heavy duty mechanic. Before he started a family he travelled the world, lived for a year in Australia before he settled on Quadra Island. He built his log home on Quadra Loop. Later he built his home on the cliff looking out over beautiful Hyacinth Bay and Rebecca Spit.

He worked mainly for forest companies and since the seventies he had a close connection with the Strathcona Lodge, which he maintained till his retirement in 2008. He joined then the Quadra Fire Department.

He was loved by many people on Quadra Island.

During his illness he was lovingly cared for by Debbie.

We like to thank Dr. Keith Graham, Dr. Erika Kellerhals, Dr. Kerry Baerg, the nurses from the home support team for their care and assistance.

There will be no service by request.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 11th at 2.00 PM in the Community Center on Quadra Island.

Messages for the family may be left at www.campbellriverfunerals.com