Memorials & Trusts

Established by Phillip Moore and the Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union in 2014 to honour Rose Moore, Administrator of the Credit Union Foundation of BC for 25 years, and great contributor to the BC Credit Union system.

Proud to have served its members since March 25, 1954, legacy Aldergrove Credit Union, now Aldergrove Financial* established this trust fund in 2007. To commemorate the merger of Aldergrove Credit Union and Gulf & Fraser, the Aldergrove Financial Trust fund will continue to provide financial assistance to students in the Fraser Valley area to help with their educational goals.

*Aldergrove Financial is a trade name of Gulf and Fraser Fishermen’s Credit Union.

Commemorating their 50th Anniversary in 1993, Edelweiss Credit Union (now known as Prospera Credit Union) established the Michael Bach Memorial to honour their founder. Awards are available to students in any field of endeavor to help them attain their career goals.

Established by Summerland and District Credit Union in 1994 to honour Gordon Beggs’ 45 years of service to the credit union.

Don Bentley was general manager of VanCity Savings Credit Union from 1955 to 1975, was also instrumental in establishing the Reserve Board serving as its first Chairman, and was a president of Credit Union Central of BC. An energetic humanitarian and brilliant administrator with a deep compassion and understanding for his fellowman and relating to people from every walk of life, Don was known as a “People’s Person”. VanCity Savings Credit Union established a Don Bentley Memorial honouring his years of dedicated service while friends, credit unions, Credit Union Central of BC and VanCity staff contributed to the memorial.

Ross and Maureen Montgomery established the Bonshor Memorial in 1983 in honour of Maureen’s parents. The grant is provided to Princess Margaret Secondary School, where all ten of the Bonshor children attended, for disbursement to a deserving graduating student for college or vocational training.

Honouring Sid’s 15 years of active leadership as President, Director and involved participant in every facet of the Credit Union and of the community, North Shore Community Credit Union (now known as BlueShore Financial) established the Sid Butterfield Honorary Trust for bursaries to assist young people who exhibit the potential leadership qualities, values and dedication to others which Sid had demonstrated all his life. Sid’s generosity extended beyond his lifetime as he provided a bequest to the Foundation. Sid requested bursaries be made available to students in any field of endeavour to help them attain their goals in life.

May Campbell is remembered for her special interest in and encouragement of women in the credit union movement and for her 42 years of voluntary work which included being a director of James Bay Credit Union, a director of the BC Credit Union League for 10 years, director and president of CU & C Health Services, a Life Member of the Credit Union Foundation of BC. For many years Westcoast Savings Credit Union (now known as Coast Capital Savings Credit Union) provided annual donations for bursaries to honour the memory of the ‘First Lady of Credit Unions”. In 1993, the Trustees voted to establish a permanent trust from which grants are now provided to Camosun College annually.

Established in 1992 to recognize Credit Union pioneers who made outstanding contributions to Chemainus and District Credit Union, this credit union merged to Coastal Community Credit Union in 2004.

In 1987, this Trust incorporated two Memorials provided by Richmond Savings Credit Union (now known as Coast Capital Savings Credit Union) in tribute to Ileen Dreher and John Groenveld. Ileen Dreher’s pragmatism and enthusiasm helped to make Richmond Savings Credit Union the asset it is to its members and the community. She served as an employee for 25 years, from teller to the Brighouse Branch Manager (8 years). John Groenveld was one of the original Directors of the Richmond Savings Credit Union serving on the Board for 25 consecutive years. As a Credit Union Foundation Trustee for over 10 years, his spirit of goodwill and enthusiasm contributed to its development and growth in its formative years.

Donated by wife Jean in memory of Thomas Cooper, a Comox Valley Credit Union member who served on their Board of Directors, she wishes to help students who are affiliated with Comox Valley Credit Union (which is now known as Coastal Community Credit Union) and/or live in the valley area.

Comox Valley Credit Union established this trust in 1990 to commemorate their 50th anniversary. In 2005, they merged with Coastal Community and Evergreen Credit Unions to be known as Coastal Community Credit Union.

The Credit Union Pioneers Memorial was established to recognize the many pioneers and dedicated supporters of the credit union system memorials and tributes which are not in themselves large enough to support an individual award. Amalgamated, they provide a vehicle for credit unions, members, associate organizations and individuals to honour pioneers, co-workers, friends and relatives, with a memorial or tribute that perpetuates their memory by continued assistance for others.
The Credit Union Pioneers’ Memorial includes Memorials honouring:
G. Trevor Bates (CU Central), Don Campbell (VanCity Savings CU), D. Earle Gallagher (Compensation Employees CU), Cy Harding (Woodfibre CU), Jean Haynes (St. Patrick’s CU), John Hunter (the ‘founder’ of the CU&C Health Services), Herbert (Bert) J. Moring (Transport CU), Joseph H.W. Muldrew, A.L. Nicholas (Vanfed CU), Harold Peacock, Roland Proux (Kelowna CU), Stan Stonier (Vanfed CU), Ron Timmins (V.P. CU), Jack Walker (Greater Victoria CU), Don Watson (Stry CU), Robert (Bob) F. Williams (VicTel CU),
Donations in memory of Russell Acton, J. Analooshkin, Frank Coffrey, Victor Dale, Mrs. John Desmond, Allan Hampson, Irene Rosa Jacobson, Stewart Jeffs, Dorothy Johnson, Grace Langridge, Lewis Langlois, Howard B. Moore, Ruth L. Nookes, Marjorie Paquette, Ivy Pearson, Cornelius J. (Neil) Reimer, James W. Robertson, Stanley Arthur Russell, M.E. Schell, Laura E. Sobol, C.R. Sutherland, William Swan, Edith C. Taylor, J.R. Thompson, Donald Wheatley, Muriel Wheatley
. . . plus the ‘in lieu of flowers’ remembrances specifically designated to the Credit Union Memorial.
This trust is strongly supported through the credit union member dues and donations from individuals and charity golf tournaments; in particular, the Central 1 Credit Union tournament held annually. Awards are available to students in any field of endeavour to help them attain their career goals.

In tribute to a former Trustee (1979-97), the Credit Union Foundation has established a memorial to honour credit union pioneer Wes Darling for his extensive involvement in the credit union system which spanned nearly 60 years.

Tom Dearlove and his wife Gertrude, provided the fledgling North Shore Community Credit Union with its first home for business and meetings as Tom served as their first Treasurer from 1942 to 1955. In honour of his memory, in 1977 the Credit Union (now known as BlueShore Financial) established this capital fund expressing a preference that the grants be given to reflect Tom’s special interest in citizenship attributes and community work.

Farley Dickinson conceived the idea of a Credit Union Foundation and instigated its formation to assist students in need of a “helping hand”. He was active in the formation and development of credit unions serving locally and nationally on many boards as director and chairman such as C.U. & C. Health Services Society, Credit Union Central of BC, National Association of Canadian Credit Unions. A grant is provided annually to U.BC for disbursement.

John A.H. Duffie, who served on the Board of Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union for many years, was a lively supporter of the Credit Union Foundation of BC from its inception, remembered it with a bequest for a Trust Fund that provides for an annual scholarship to UBC for disbursement.

This Trust incorporates Memorials provided by Delta Credit Union in 1987 and First Heritage Savings Credit Union in 1985 as the credit unions merged to become Envision Credit Union.  This award speaks to Envision’s strong commitment to youth by assisting them to attain their education goals.  The credit union merged to form First West Credit Union in 2010.

Established by Mrs. Lillian Ermacora in memory of her son, this award is provided to a graduating or former student of Selkirk Secondary School who is pursuing a career in the field of medicine, in particular as a medical doctor.

When they retired from active participation after 41 years of serving in virtually every volunteer capacity in the Credit Union movement, VanCity Savings Credit Union honoured Flo & Bert Gladu with this Memorial. Bert was on VanCity’s Credit Committee for 13 years and a Director 31 years as well as a Credit Union Central of BC Director for 12 years. Flo was instrumental in the formation of the Credit Union School Savings Program and was secretary to the Board of VanCity.

A founding member of Powell River Credit Union in 1939 and president of Nanaimo District Savings Credit Union from 1950 to his death in 1979, A. Rod Glen was well known and respected locally and internationally as a leader in the credit union system. Among his many activities he was a director of the World Council of Credit Unions and had the distinction of being the first Canadian to hold the office of president of the Credit Union National Association. After Rod died, the A. Rod Glen Memorial Fund was instigated by Credit Union Central of BC providing $5,000 a year for five years. With Rod’s work in international credit union development in mind, the Trustees re-designated the fund in 1991 as the A. Rod Glen International Trust Fund and with further donations from the members dues significantly increasing the fund, grants are provided to credit union and co-operative projects overseas. A grant is also provided to Vancouver Island University for disbursement.

In 1997 the Trustees approved establishment of this trust to formally recognize the annual contribution to the Credit Union Foundation of BC’s auditors (formerly known as Doane Raymond) of the cost of the audit fee.

Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union inaugurated this memorial in honour of the pioneers that made significant contributions to the community, to Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union and to the credit union movement: Alf Corra, John Duffie, Frank Filgiano, Jack Jaworski, Don McDonough, Carl Schretlen, Bill Sims. Awards are available to students in any field of endeavour to help them attain their career goals.

When a tragic air mishap took the lives of Paul Humphries, his wife and children, Dennis Humphries established this fund in memory of his son to encourage the promotion of air transportation safety and requested awards be directed to students on aviation related programs. A long time resident of North Vancouver, Dennis served as a Director of the North Shore Credit Union and of Credit Union Central of BC, and was a Foundation Trustee from 1988 to 1997. When Dennis passed away, further contributions were received for this trust from family and friends in tribute to Dennis’ life as an educator and community and credit union volunteer.

The Board of Thompson Valley Savings Credit Union donated funds to establish this trust in 1990 “to help support all the good activities of the Credit Union Foundation”. The credit union merged and is now known as Interior Savings Credit Union.

When the Kla How Ya Society (associated with Nanaimo District Credit Union) disbanded, it made a capital fund gift to the Foundation for a memorial honouring their founder and most active supporter, A. Rod Glen.

John Lucas, a former president of Credit Union Central of BC and president of the IWA Credit Union for 24 years, at the time of his death was vice-president of both Credit Union Central of BC and the Credit Union Foundation of BC as well as director for the National Association, Canadian Co-operative, and several of Central’s subsidiaries. Contributions to this memorial were received from associates at the local, provincial, national and international levels of the credit union organization and from his co-workers at Canadian White Pine.

Jerry Lundie was a Charter Member and the first Chairman of the Foundation. For 32 years, he and wife Belle were active in a wide range of volunteer positions at the local and provincial levels of the Credit Union Movement. The successful continuation of the Foundation’s philanthropic work was assured when Jerry and Belle made a generous bequest to the Foundation. In tribute to their legacy of sharing and caring, the Foundation provides grants annually to BCIT and SFU for disbursal.

Yale District Credit Union instigated this memorial honouring the memory of Bruce McDiarmid’s 15 years of dedication and effort to their Credit Union as a Director and 11 years as their Chairman of the Board.

The Foundation was honoured to be remembered by the McDonoughs, who both passed away in 2008, leaving a generous bequest to establish this memorial to help students achieve their education goals.  Don was a founding member of Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union, serving on the Board for thirty years and was President from 1977 to 1992.  Bernice, a renowned educator and gifted writer, was an Assistant Professor Emerita at the University of British Columbia.

For a quarter of a century, almost every piece of credit union and co-operative legislation in this province was influenced by ‘Bob’ McMaster – the ‘Credit Union Lawyer’. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Foundation through his active support, financial donations, and with a bequest in his will. Credit Union Central of BC, credit unions, co-operatives, affiliated organizations, associates and personal friends contributed, provincially and nationally to this Memorial while his legal firm, Davis & Company, also established an “R.J. McMaster Memorial supportive of Bob’s philanthropic interest in the Foundation. Grants are provided annually to Simon Fraser University, U.BC, and the University of Victoria and to students studying in the field of Law.

Promoting the Foundation’s work, this trust was established in 2000.

Established in 1989, Operating Engineers Credit Union (which merged to Community Savings Credit Union in 2009) provided an annual donation in honour of their pioneers.
This trust incorporates the original memorial established for Harry & Doris Berger. Harry was a founding charter member, president and director of Operating Engineers Credit Union. Doris was a dedicated volunteer serving as secretary to the Credit Union’s Board, the Credit Union Foundation of BC and other associated organizations. Much of Doris and Harry’s volunteer work reflected their keen interest in less privileged children.

In recognition of Shirley Schmid’s extraordinary contribution to the development of co-operative housing, this Bursary Trust was established by the Columbia Housing Advisory. Awards are provided to students who are residents of housing co-operatives that are in good standing with the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada and/or of BC.

Established in 1989, North Shore Credit Union (now known as BlueShore Financial) honoured Dick Slater for his dedicated service to the credit union and the credit union system in BC Dick, who served as a member of their Board for 20 years during which two terms were as Chairman, was a firm believer that “Credit Unions truly have the best interest of people at heart”. It was Dick’s wish that the bursary fund be used to help students whose interests lie in the humanities, fine arts or any field which will help expand understanding among people.

Friends and fellow artists celebrated Shirley Lewis Smith’s life with donations to this trust to provide financial encouragement to a graduating or former student of Selkirk Secondary School who has demonstrated their love of the visual arts and who is continuing with studies at a post secondary level. The former high school Art & English teacher, Shirley Lewis Smith spearheaded local artists into a group called ‘The Critic Club’ and was a member of Kimberley’s Center 64.

Established in 2003, Community Savings Credit Union honours the memory of Terrance Bruce Smith (1946-2001), a member of 33 years of which 20 was served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Terry had a distinguished service record with the IWA as 1st Vice-president of IWA Local 1-357, as President of the local union, and as the National Secretary Treasurer of the IWA of Canada. In 1991, he received the Joe Morris Labour Community Service Award from the United Way of the Lower Mainland for outstanding efforts to improve community services. He was also a founding director of Pacifica, a member of the Lower Mainland Assessment and Referral Society, and served on New Westminster’s Advisory Planning Commission and the Athletic Commission.
Students attending the Labour College of Canada are also welcome to apply for awards from this trust.

In recognition of the Credit Union Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, Sunshine Coast Credit Union established this trust in 2007 to provide financial assistance to students from the Sunshine Coast area pursuing post-secondary studies.

Our ‘First Lady of the Foundation’, Lucille Sutherland consistently applied the basic credit union philosophy of people helping people. When she retired in 1987, donations established this fund in tribute to her patience, skill, vision, courage and dedicated service for over 25 years that built the Credit Union Foundation of BC into a successful enterprise. Grants are provided annually to Northern Lights College and UBC for disbursement.

A mentor to many, a visionary, and an icon of the Prince Rupert community, Mike Tarr, CEO of Northern Savings Credit Union, passed away suddenly June 10th, 2010.  Mike was a distinguished leader of the credit union system at the local, provincial and national levels and was a recipient of a BC Credit Union Distinguished Award in 2001.  He served on the BC Central Credit Union Board from 1990 to 2008 and was Chair from 1993.  He was a Director of Credit Union Central of Canada from 1996 to 2008, serving as Chair for the final three years.  He was also a Director of Stabilization Central Credit Union of BC and CUE Datawest.
Mike’s legacy is one of extensive service, having served in his community as Director of Prince Rupert Airport Society, Prince Rupert Economic Commission and the Prince Rupert Library Board as well as many other organizations.  Friends, colleagues and credit unions paid tribute through their donations to establish this memorial from which awards will help many students to achieve their education goals.

Valley First established this trust in 2007 to commemorate its 60th anniversary and recognize the Credit Union Foundation’s 50th anniversary. The trust honors Valley First’s heritage and supports the people of the communities it serves by helping them achieve their educational goals.  The credit union merged to form First West Credit Union in 2010.

In tribute to their former CEO for more than three decades, Lewis van der Gracht, a charter member and first Treasurer, for many years Richmond Savings Credit Union (now known as Coast Capital Savings Credit Union) provided an annual donation in recognition of his many years of service.  In 1993, the Trustees voted to establish a permanent trust from which grants are now provided annually to Kwantlen Polytechnic University for disbursement.

This Trust was a capital fund donation established by Vancouver City Savings Credit Union in appreciation and support of the philanthropic work of the Foundation on behalf of the Credit Union Movement.

In establishing this Memorial, Vancouver Firefighters Credit Union paid tribute to Howard Hunter and Roy N. Treasurer.
Roy Treasurer served the Credit Union from 1947 to 1975 building a stable organization to serve the needs of members. Roy was with the Vancouver Fire Department from 1942 to 1975, retiring with the rank of District Chief.
Howard Hunter, one of the Credit Union’s founding members, served as their General Manager from 1945 to 1970, was a charter member of the Credit Union Foundation of BC and was a director and President of C.U. & C. Health Services for 10 years. Howard was with the Vancouver Fire Department from 1929 to 1970, retiring with the rank of Assistant Chief. In honour of his memory, donations received annually from his beloved wife Lillian Hunter have almost doubled the Trust.

Established by Van-Tel Credit Union (later known as VanTel/Safeway Credit Union), this trust fund recognizes the years of dedicated service from Les King, Leo Morris, and Sadie McIlwaine who was a volunteer officer from 1951 to 1982. In 2007, the credit union became part of Vancity Savings Credit Union.

In tribute to a pioneer who embodied the basic roots of the credit union and co-operative movement in Canada, the George Viereck Memorial was established through contributions made by many BC credit unions and individuals. A grant is provided annually to the University of Northern British Columbia for disbursement.

In tribute to Ben Voth (1926 ~ 2010), a passionate community builder and founding member of the East Chilliwack Credit Union who served for 38 years as Chair of First Heritage Credit Union (later known as Envision Credit Union), First West Credit Union established this Memorial in 2011.  A 1994 recipient of the B.C Distinguished Service Award, Ben was recognized for his immense contributions to the credit union system, having served on a number of local, provincial and international boards and committees, including 12 years as a Credit Union Foundation of BC Trustee.

The formation of this trust  in 2009 incorporated the R.E. (Bob) Tyldsley Memorial and a donation honoring the memory of Tom Ryan who served on the V.P. Credit Union Board for 38 years and was their Chairman from 1979 to 1984. Bob Tyldsley was with the Vancouver Police force for 37 years, was a delegate to the credit union annual meetings for 38 years, and strongly supported the introduction of universal medicare – his life was one of service to his fellowman.
A 2010 the VPCU made a donation honouring the memory of Phyllis Mortimore, a long time member (since 1945) who served on their Board of Directors and was active in all facets of the credit union’s operations.  Phyllis joined the V.P.D. in 1943 becoming the first female police constable and she worked tirelessly to achieve recognition and equal pay for all female officers.

This trust incorporates the Dogwood Credit Union Pioneers Memorial established in 1989 as the credit union merged with Westminster Savings Credit Union in 1994 and the Newescu Association Trust which was established by a capital fund donation “for the good of credit union members generally” by the Newescu Social & Travel Society, which was established by and for Westminster Credit Union members, when it disbanded.

A memorial was established in 1990, by the Bella Coola Valley Credit Union to honour Helmer Pedersen’s thirty-nine years of dedicated service. In 1998 that credit union became part of the Williams Lake & District Credit Union. Wishing to continue with the spirit of people helping people through this trust, in 2007 the credit union supplemented the original memorial in honour of the Credit Union Foundation’s 50th Anniversary.

A devoted and respected Industrial Education teacher of 23 years in the Surrey School District, Wallace Wright has established this trust to provide an annual bursary to be awarded to a graduating student from Surrey School District No. 36. The recipient must be in need of financial assistance, proven to be committed to the field of industrial technology education, and intend to pursue their education at the post-secondary level. Applications, with teachers letters of recommendation, will be accepted through the Surrey Technology Teachers’ Association.

Serving its members for over 80 years, Gulf & Fraser believes the students of today are truly the leaders of tomorrow, and that education plays an important part in their success. To assist with the financial cost of post-secondary education, Gulf & Fraser has established the Gulf & Fraser Trust fund.  The Gulf & Fraser Trust incorporates four memorial funds: United Savings Trust, Lew Wood Trust, Val Pearson / Violet de Courcy fund and the Co-CEO Trust. The histories of these funds are below:

United Savings Credit Union Trust:This trust was initially established as a capital fund donation in memory of their dedicated assistant-manager, Otto Miller, who died suddenly in office. For many years the Credit Union continued to honour its pioneers, like Walter Lovering Cook who was a director for 12 years, by donating funds raised at their annual Charity Golf Tournaments. The credit union is now part of Gulf & Fraser.

Lew Wood Bursary Trust: Starting in 1973 Transport Credit Union of BC (now part of Gulf & Fraser) provided an annual bursary in honour of Lew Wood, their manager for 17 years. In 1993 the Credit Union Foundation of BC Trustees voted to establish the Lew Wood Bursary Trust to ensure awards will always be available to help students achieve their career goals.

Val Pearson / Violet de Courcy fund: Val Pearson was always interested in and involved in the education and training of young people, having taught at the Vancouver Vocational Institute. For many years an annual grant donated by United Civic Savings Credit Union remembered Val’s 20 years of service to the credit union and was the base to establishing a permanent Trust from which a grant is now provided annually to Vancouver Community College. His daughter, Violet de Courcy, served for many years on the Foundation’s board.

Co-CEO Trust (Bill Kiss and Jeff Shewfelt): After a collective 73 years dedicated to the financial services industry, and 12 years as Co-CEOs at Gulf & Fraser (Gulf and Fraser Fishermen’s Credit Union), this trust is established to honour the legacy left by Co-CEOs Bill Kiss and Jeff Shewfelt. Together, Bill and Jeff were extremely dedicated to the credit union system, serving on various boards and committees throughout their careers to help advance the credit union movement and support the growth and careers of so many within the industry. Together, they truly fostered cooperation among cooperatives and supported communities in many ways, including advancing education to improve the financial lives of credit union members.