Obituary of MCGOWAN – Skye Morgan

December 6, 1965 – August 1, 2010 It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dearly beloved husband, and father Skye McGowan. Skye will be dearly missed by his wife of twenty-three years Stacey; and their three children, Lachlan, 12yrs, Madeleine, 8yrs and Elise, 4 yrs; his father Alan of Terrace BC; brother Joe and his wife Peggy; nephew Drew and niece Paige of Cranbrook, BC; and sister Sharon and her husband John of Vancouver, BC. Skye was born in Kitimat, BC and later moved to Terrace, BC with his father, mother, brother and sister. Terrace, with its beautiful lakes, rivers and mountains and people equally as warm and generous, were a perfect backdrop for Skye to thrive in. He grew into a fine young man and upon graduating from high school, he began working at Alcan in Kitimat during the summers to earn money for his university education. Although Skye enjoyed hanging out with close friends and having a good time on weekends, he took his job seriously, and was given tasks typically reserved for men much older than he. His boss knew early on this was a young man that was not only dependable, but consistent and responsible. These were traits that characterized Skye’s journey through university where he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Skye was a man who knew where he was going and what he needed to do in order to achieve his goals. During the summer of 1987 while earning money to continue his education Skye met Stacey. It was love at first sight and easy to see that their lives would be woven into a fine tapestry. By the end of the summer of ’87 both had relocated to Victoria, BC, where Skye studied a Bachelor of Education as teaching had become his focus and passion. Once obtaining his certification as a high school English teacher Skye decided to further continue his education and began studies in English as a Second Language (ESL). While studying ESL and also teaching ESL at UVIC Skye met the father of one of his students who was taken with Skye’s teaching abilities and desire to travel abroad. Together both men hatched a plan to open and run an English language school in Japan, Sky English School. Both Skye and Stacey relocated to Japan for four years teaching, living and travelling to nearby countries; Korea, Thailand, Bali, and Guam for fun and relaxation. It was on a trip to the tropical island of Guam that Stacey decided to attend the University of Guam. One year separated the couple before Skye followed Stacey to Guam finding employment as a high school English teacher at St. John’s school. It was also on a sunset lit beach in Guam that Skye and Stacey tied the knot, and the following year in Calgary that family and friends shared in a formal wedding ceremony. 1994 saw the couple back in Victoria BC now both attending UVIC, this time Skye dove into a master’s degree program in English while teaching at St. Margaret’s private girl’s school. Skye and Stacey welcomed their first child, Lachlan, into the world in 1998 and six months later moved to Airdrie, AB where Skye began working at Bert Church high school. It was at Bert Church that Skye pioneered not only a Japanese language program, but also a philosophy program. Their second child, Madeleine, was born in 2001 and the couple packed up one last time and moved to Carstairs to a 102 year old home. This house would be the renovating job that convinced Skye that renovation wasn’t for the faint of heart. In 2006 their last child, Elise, was born. Skye was a renaissance man in every way: quoting Shakespeare at the drop of a hat while renovating this old house. He loved teaching English; he loved being a teacher and contributing to the betterment of his students lives. Most of all he loved being a father and hanging out with his children. Skye thoroughly enjoyed family life: playing in the yard with his children, growing vegetables, weeding the gardens and growing sunflowers. RIP Skye, you will be sorely missed by all who knew you; friends, colleagues, students, and neighbours, but particularly by your family. Skye was predeceased by his mother, Mary. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a Trust account set up for the children at the Bank of Montreal Carstairs Branch, Box 489 Carstairs, AB, T0M 0N0. Funeral Services will be held at Carstairs Community Centre (Carstairs, AB) on Monday, August 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. You may forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Skye McGowan, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie Funeral Home, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE. Telephone: (403) 948-1100.