Richard (Dick) Arthur Aylard
September 19, 1939 - April 26, 2024
In Loving Memory
Richard (Dick) Arthur Aylard
Dick Aylard was born in Victoria, BC, to Arthur and Elise Aylard of Brackenhurst Farm in North Saanich. His cherished siblings are older brothers George and Ken, and younger sister Ann. After working on the family dairy farm, adventuring with Ken, and sometimes driving his school teachers nuts, he attended UBC for a year before starting his own mixed livestock and grain farm in Fort St. John. There he met his future wife of 58 years, Ruth Penner, and they had their first four children, Cathy, Rob, Janet, and Kerry. They moved back to Vancouver Island, had two more kids, Pat and Alana, and then landed in beautiful Mara, where they started another farm and continued to live until his death. Dick’s love of farming, close community, and awe for new life was appreciated by those who knew him. He planted perfectly straight strawberry, raspberry, and carrot rows. He attended and cheered loudly at hundreds of his kids’ & grandkids’ sporting events, and helped his “woollies” deliver healthy lambs for decades. Dick loved to read and consult with others, humbly striving to improve his crops and livestock. He served 3 years as president of the Okanagan vegetable marketing board, regularly attended farm events, and enjoyed many trailer trips to Mexico, California, Alaska, and all over the western provinces. “Sheep grandpa” will be deeply missed by his wife Ruth, 6 kids & spouses, 24 grandkids & spouses,13 great grandkids, siblings & spouses, the Penner clan, and many lifelong friends.
Service Saturday May 4, 2024
(bring your own chair)
Aylard Family Farm – Mara 11am
Graveside – Mara Cemetery 12 noon
Drop-in Reception – Mara Hall 1-3pm
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 10
Our deepest condolences to the Aylard family! May your happy memories of Dick and the love of friends and family be of comfort to you in this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.💐💕
So sorry for your loss friends
Hello Aylard Family. Thinking of you all. Always loved hanging out with all of you. May memories of your dad warm your heart. He definitely cheered for me at all our high sports. Love Nicole Trouton (Clark) aka Alana’s friend 🙂
Susan & I moved next door to Dick & Ruth in 2003 & became good friends with them, and over the years have met all their family. Our favourite times with Dick & Ruth were during work breaks . The four of us would sit & have coffee & tea together & discuss everything from nuts to bolts. We will miss Dick so very much. We plan to continue to call ahead and ask Ruth if the water is “hot”, and that we will arrive soon!
God bless you, Ruth ! & as your text stated for Dick, “ no more agony just peace”
We love you ❤️ 🙏
Alvena and I only met Dick on one occasion, that being the wedding of our granddaughter Emma to his grandson Marcus.A gracious family a lovely farm.Our love and sympathies to the family.
Dick was always nice to me even when I was a knuckle head. My favourite memory of Dick was when he allowed me to move in with the Aylard clan for a few days after I got kicked out of my parents house for quitting a job! He and Ruth did an amazing job together. I love you guys.
We were very sorry to hear about the passing of our good friend and neighbor.
He will be missed.
Our condolences to Ruth and family.
Mile & Nancy
Ruth and family, there are no words to express our sorrow in the loss of your loved one, Dick. We will both cherish the memories we shared of the fun times together. Bill considered Dick his best friend and fondly remembers the farming discussions, the hunting trips sleeping in below zero temperatures on spruce boughs, then the mornings when it was so cold, the truck wouldn’t start. A rag soaked in oil and gas, lit and placed under the pan did the trick. So many good times!
We are sorry we will not be able to attend the celebration of life for Dick. We will be with you in spirit though. Love you! Bill and Heather
So sorry to hear of Dicks passing! Our Condolences to the family!
We met Dick and Ruth when they come to visit the FLAATA home stead in the Bromhead Torquay area.
Just loved the visit when Dick and Ruth where Here.
We farm some of that Flaata land now!
Sad for the Aylard family. What a full life he lived. Having 23 grandchildren quite an accomplishment and an amazing legacy. I only met Dick a handful of times, but he was quite a character. I met him for the first time at Alana and steves wedding, and ironically never knew that he and Ruth lived in my hometown of fort st. John until reading this obituary. Strong families are something we should all strive to create and preserve. Dick and Ruth have a good one. Thinking of you all now.