December 16, 1952 ~ November 28, 2014
On November 28, in the early morning hours, Vern Radul lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. Known for his broad smile, kind and gentle nature, and deep love of his adopted hometown of Gibsons BC, Vern faced his future with strength and dignity – and his trademark humour. “I’ll be waiting for you on the other side,” he told everyone, “with a table reserved up front near the stage so we can hear the Cosmic Band, and the champagne will be flowing.” He asked to be remembered, not with tears, but with a smile.
Born December 16, 1952 in Winnipeg, MB, Vern found his way to the Sunshine Coast in the mid-1970s, sharing space above the store at Hopkins Landing with friends who became lifelong comrades, welcoming him back to his true home when he returned to the Coast in 2011. “This is a dangerous place to visit,” he would say, “because once you get here you won’t want to leave.”
Along his life’s journey, he met and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jane Stafford, and together they produced a son, Sean. Although Vern and Janey “grew up and grew apart,” they remained lifelong best friends.
Riding the early wave of computer technology, Vern became an IT specialist, designing websites and debugging systems. When he “retired” to the Coast to rejoin his friends, he brought with him his newly-purchased Coffee News franchise. Vern quickly became well-known throughout the community as he distributed his “good news” paper to coffee shops and waiting rooms up and down the Coast each week. Vern sat on the Board of the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce and a strong supporter and booster of the Sunshine Coast.
Vern’s father Gordon, his mother Shirley, and brother Gerry were already at that stage-side table awaiting his arrival in the Cosmic Cabaret. He is survived by his lifelong love Janey Stafford; son Christopher Sean Bazin; brother James (Karen); sister Jodi; and his uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins of a large extended family. He will be missed by all of them, and by the wide circle of friends – some, like staunch supporter Mark Trevis, were part of his life for decades, and some for only a few months. Each remembers Vern as a true gentleman, remarkable for his kindness and generosity.
Vern’s greatest worry in his final weeks was for his beloved cat, Magic. She has found a good home with Vern’s former business partner. Because of his love for animals, Vern wished that any memorial donations be made to Happy Cat Haven, the SPCA or Gibsons Wildlife Rehab Centre.
A Celebration of Life will be held in April, 2015.