Neville (Nev) William Evan Cox.
Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Neville William Evan Cox embarked on his final journey May 27, 2013, comforted by family. Dad left us proudly and peacefully after a brief illness. He is predeceased by parents Harry T. Cox and Annie (nee Evans), brothers Clifford, John and Eric
and sister Marjorie Law. He leaves a lifetime of memories for his three daughters and their families to cherish. Sandra (Richard Bramall), Stephanie (Paul Toom) and Susan (Denis
Brock) and their families. (Grandchildren) - Jennifer Van
Staveren (Adam), Jacqueline Bramall, Sarah Toom, Matthew Toom and Caitlin Toom and the apples of his eye, his great grandkids - Isla and Ezra Van Staveren. He is also remembered by Diana Cox of Mission. Neville (Nev) was born on Dec. 29, 1925 in Chislehurst,
Kent, England and grew up there. He attended St. Nicholas School for Boys, going on with scholarship to Sidcup Grammar School, Kent England, from which he matriculated in 1939. He proudly served H.M. Royal Navy aboard HMS Argonaut (61), a Dido-class light cruiser, in the Pacific Fleet from 1944
to 1947 as Petty Officer and radar technician. The ship’s various missions provided him the opportunity to see and
experience much of the world. Nev was continuously active in the Royal Canadian Legion through the latter part of his life. He served as President of Branch 57 for two years and was granted Life Membership in 1988. He gave the November 11th “Address of Remembrance” for 32 years, offering stirring, thoughtful reflections. In 1949 Nev married Diana (Banks) of Bromley, Kent and they had two daughters while in England. In 1957 he emigrated to Canada and became a citizen. After establishing
a foothold, he brought Diana and the girls to Calgary where their third child, Susan, was born. After a short time, the family moved to Kimberley, BC, staying six years, followed by
what would be his final move to his beloved Mission in 1965. Neville received a Certificate in P. Health Inspection (UK)and a Diploma in Sanitary Science (UK) at Hammersmith
School England. He attended U. of Saskatchewan where he received his Certificate in Hospital Administration in 1964. His career in health care saw him start as a P. Health Inspector
in County Borough Smethwick, England, then at E. Kootenay, B.C. Health Unit, followed by Hospital Administrator
for Kimberley Dist. Hospital and finally Executive Director of Mission Memorial Hospital from its opening in 1965, until his retirement in 1988.
His list of Public Service to Mission is extensive; he was Mission’s
last Reeve of the District (1968-1970) and was the first Mayor of the amalgamated District of Mission (1970-1973). He was instrumental in the provision of the “new” Mission
Bridge. He was made a Freeman of the District of Mission in 1979. He served as a School Trustee for 4 years, V. Chair of the FV. College, V. Chair of D.A. Reg. Dist., Member of Court
of Revision and Director of F.V. Credit Union for four years. Along the way, Nev owned the River Boat Inn Restaurant
and dabbled in acting, participating in local productions. He loved to write and published numerous professional papers on health care and several columns, including those for the
F.V. Record “Just Between Us” and travel magazines. Nev returned to the sea in his seventies taking long tours aboard freighters and writing about his experiences. Nev held his family and friends close to his heart. He loved
homemade mincemeat tarts, Big Band music, Les Mis and My Fair Lady. He particularly enjoyed fishing with Peter Tiessen and spending time at his cabin on Higgins Lake with Paul. He also enjoyed playing crib with many friends in Mission, Aldergrove and Deka Lake.
Dear Dad and Papa — to us you were bigger than life itself. Your passing leaves a hole, and a silence, that no one else can fill. We will miss your energy and zest for life, your beautiful
voice and your relentless story telling. God only made one Papa Nev...you will be so deeply missed.
Goodbye ‘til we meet again, love, your family. The family wishes to offer our sincerest thanks to Dr. Sohan
Mansing of Mission, who provided Dad with exceptional medical care and kindness over the last years. A Celebration of Life will be held August 10th, 1:00PM at Clarke Theatre,
Mission. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57 or Salvation Army Harbour
Light Feed the Homeless (Vancouver)