Editor: Thank you for moderating the town hall meeting in Langley City on Saturday morning, Oct 20. I enjoyed updates from Mayor Peter Fassbender, MLA Mary Polak, MP Mark Warawa and our school board chair, Wendy Johnson. It was also good to hear from so many involved citizens of our community.
But there was one individual not present on Saturday — and he was dearly missed.
Eric Bysouth is one person who never missed a town hall meeting, let alone Rotary Club or a Conservative party meeting — or any opportunity where he could give his pitch for high-speed rail to the Fraser Valley.
He was always there for our community. He helped keep McLeod Park, my home soccer and baseball field, from becoming a bus depot. He was also a mentor for me as a young Conservative.
He and Helen, his lovely wife, attended many significant events in my life. It was always a delight when he would visit the arts and crafts session at Harrison Landing retirement home where I volunteered, and where he and Helen lived.
As an elder statesman with a lifetime of experience, Eric was always ready to give wise counsel. I am sad he will no longer be there when I seek him out for advice, but I’m forever grateful for the investment he made in my life.
Eric was a wonderful example of what it means to be a good husband, father and caring citizen whose passionate commitment to his community caused him to speak out, get involved, and make a difference in so many of our lives. He was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to us all.
We’ll miss you Eric.
Lexi Vankevich, 20,
history and philosophy major,
Trinity Western University