After a full wonderful life, Victor Rufus Cates passed away on November 18, 2009 in Kamloops. Born in Oyen, Alberta in 1921, Victor homesteaded with his family across Alberta and Saskatchewan until the family moved to Regina where Victor went to high school.

Victor served with the Canadian Army in anticipation of World War Two. He attended and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with an honours degree in Commerce, and became a chartered accountant. He married Margryi Matheson in 1955 and moved with her to Kamloops where he opened his practice as a chartered accountant. He eventually opened the firm of Buxton Cates and Co. with Robert Buxton which became part of the firm of BDO Dunwoody and Co. where Victor remained a partner until he retired. Victor will be remembered for his integrity. He was a passionate believer in social justice and equal opportunity. He was a founding member of the Kamloops Mica Nica Society. He served as secretary and later as President of the Kamloops Red Cross, and was a founding member of the Kamloops United Appeal, predecessor to the United Way. He served as a director of the Royal Inland Hospital Board. He participated in various Parent Teacher Associations, Kiwanis, Society for Pollution and Environmental Control, Kamloops Wine Club, and the Kamloops Film Society, among others. Victor was also a proud member of the Tod Mountain Ski Patrol for many years. Skiing was Victor’s passion. He will be fondly remembered for his unique style, his boundless enthusiasm, his moustache icicles, his booming laugh, his penchant for Gill’s Hill and beyond, and the foul concoction in his wine skin that he generously shared with those brave souls who were willing to partake.

Victor is survived by his wife, Margyi, daughter, Candace, granddaughter, Mackenzie Erlank, son-in-law, Tony Erlank, and many dear friends.

Victor’s family wishes to express much gratitude and appreciation to the very special people who cared for Victor at Overlander Extended Care Hospital.

No Service by request, but Victor would appreciate being the subject of a good toast from time to time.