CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Memorials & Trusts

ALDERGROVE CREDIT UNION TRUST
The Board of Aldergrove Credit Union established this trust fund in 2007. Proud to have served its members since March 25, 1954, Aldergrove Credit Union wishes to provide financial assistance to students of the Fraser Valley area in order to meet their educational goals.

MICHAEL BACH MEMORIAL
Commemorating their 50^th Anniversary in 1993, Edelweiss Credit Union (now known as Prospera Credit Union) established the Michael Bach Memorial to honour their founder. Awards are available to students in any field of endeavor to help them attain their career goals.

GORDON BEGGS TRUST
Established by Summerland and District Credit Union in 1994 to honour Gordon Beggs' 45 years of service to the credit union.

DON BENTLEY MEMORIAL
Don Bentley was general manager of VanCity Savings Credit Union from 1955 to 1975, was also instrumental in establishing the Reserve Board serving as its first Chairman, and was a president of Credit Union Central of BC.  An energetic humanitarian and brilliant administrator with a deep compassion and understanding for his fellowman and relating to people from every walk of life, Don was known as a “People’s Person”.  VanCity Savings Credit Union established a Don Bentley Memorial honouring his years of dedicated service while friends, credit unions, Credit Union Central of BC and VanCity staff contributed to the memorial.

BOB & DOROTHY BONSHOR MEMORIAL FUND
Ross and Maureen Montgomery established the Bonshor Memorial in 1983 in honour of Maureen’s parents.  The grant is provided to Princess Margaret Secondary School, where all ten of the Bonshor children attended, for disbursement to a deserving graduating student for college or vocational training.

SID BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL & BEQUEST
Honouring Sid’s 15 years of active leadership as President, Director and involved participant in every facet of the Credit Union and of the community, North Shore Community Credit Union established the Sid Butterfield Honorary Trust for bursaries to assist young people who exhibit the potential leadership qualities, values and dedication to others which Sid had demonstrated all his life.  Sid’s generosity extended beyond his lifetime as he provided a bequest to the Foundation.  Sid requested bursaries be made available to students in any field of endeavour to help them attain their goals in life.

MAY CAMPBELL BURSARY TRUST
May Campbell is remembered for her special interest in and encouragement of women in the credit union movement and for her 42 years of voluntary work which included being a director of James Bay Credit Union, a director of the B.C. Credit Union League for 10 years, director and president of CU & C Health Services, a Life Member of the Credit Union Foundation of BC.  For many years Westcoast Savings Credit Union (now known as Coast Capital Savings Credit Union) provided annual donations for bursaries to honour the memory of the ‘First Lady of Credit Unions”.  In 1993, the Trustees voted to establish a permanent trust from which grants are now provided to Camosun College annually.

CHEMAINUS & DISTRICT CREDIT UNION PIONEERS TRUST
Established in 1992 to recognize Credit Union pioneers who made outstanding contributions to Chemainus and District Credit Union, this credit union merged to Coastal Community Credit Union in 2004.

COAST CAPITAL SAVINGS CREDIT UNION PIONEERS TRUST
In 1987, this Trust incorporated two Memorials provided by Richmond Savings Credit Union (now known as Coast Capital Savings Credit Union) in tribute to Ileen Dreher and John Groenveld.  Ileen Dreher’s pragmatism and enthusiasm helped to make Richmond Savings Credit Union the asset it is to its members and the community.  She served as an employee for 25 years, from teller to the Brighouse Branch Manager (8 years).  John Groenveld was one of the original Directors of the Richmond Savings Credit Union serving on the Board for 25 consecutive years.  As a Credit Union Foundation Trustee for over 10 years, his spirit of goodwill and enthusiasm contributed to its development and growth in its formative years.

THOMAS COOPER MEMORIAL
Donated by wife Jean in memory of Thomas Cooper, a Comox Valley Credit Union member who served on their Board of Directors, she wishes to help students who are affiliated with Comox Valley Credit Union and/or live in the valley area.

COMOX VALLEY CREDIT UNION PIONEERS MEMORIAL
Comox Valley Credit Union established this trust in 1990 to commemorate their 50th anniversary. In 2005, they merged with Coastal Community and Evergreen Credit Unions.

CREDIT UNION PIONEERS MEMORIAL
The Credit Union Pioneers Memorial was established to recognize the many pioneers and dedicated supporters of the credit union system memorials and tributes which are not in themselves large enough to support an individual award.  Amalgamated, they provide a vehicle for credit unions, members, associate organizations and individuals to honour pioneers, co-workers, friends and relatives, with a memorial or tribute that perpetuates their memory by continued assistance for others.

The Credit Union Pioneers’ Memorial includes Memorials honouring:
G. Trevor Bates (CU Central), Don Campbell (VanCity Savings CU), D. Earle Gallagher (Compensation Employees CU), Cy Harding (Woodfibre CU), Jean Haynes (St. Patrick’s CU), John Hunter (the ‘founder’ of the CU&C Health Services), Herbert (Bert) J. Moring (Transport CU), Joseph H.W. Muldrew, A.L. Nicholas (Vanfed CU), Harold Peacock, Roland Proux (Kelowna CU), Stan Stonier (Vanfed CU), Ron Timmins (V.P. CU), Jack Walker (Greater Victoria CU), Don Watson (Stry CU), Robert (Bob) F. Williams (VicTel CU),

Donations in memory of Russell Acton, Victor Dale, Mrs. John Desmond, Allan Hampson, Irene Rosa Jacobson, Stewart Jeffs, Dorothy Johnson, Grace Langridge, Howard B. Moore, Ruth L. Nookes, Marjorie Paquette, Ivy Pearson, James W. Robertson, M.E. Schell, Laura E. Sobol, William Swan, Edith C. Taylor, J.R. Thompson, Muriel Wheatley
. . .  plus the ‘in lieu of flowers’ remembrances specifically designated to the Credit Union Memorial.

This trust is strongly supported through the credit union member dues and donations from individuals and charity golf tournaments; in particular, the Credit Union Central of B.C. tournament held annually.  Awards are available to students in any field of endeavour to help them attain their career goals.

WES DARLING MEMORIAL
In tribute to a former Trustee (1979-97), the Credit Union Foundation has established a memorial to honour credit union pioneer Wes Darling for his extensive involvement in the credit union system which spanned nearly 60 years.

TOM DEARLOVE MEMORIAL
Tom Dearlove and his wife Gertrude, provided the fledgling North Shore Community Credit Union with its first home for business and meetings as Tom served as their first Treasurer from 1942 to 1955.  In honour of his memory, in 1977 the Credit Union established this capital fund expressing a preference that the grants be given to reflect Tom’s special interest in citizenship attributes and community work.

FARLEY B. DICKINSON MEMORIAL
Farley Dickinson conceived the idea of a Credit Union Foundation and instigated its formation to assist students in need of a “helping hand”. He was active in the formation and development of credit unions serving locally and nationally on many boards as director and chairman such as C.U. & C. Health Services Society, Credit Union Central of B.C., National Association of Canadian Credit Unions.  A grant is provided annually to U.B.C. for disbursement.

JOHN A.H. DUFFIE SCHOLARSHIP TRUST
John A.H. Duffie, who served on the Board of Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union for many years, was a lively supporter of the Credit Union Foundation of BC from its inception, remembered it with a bequest for a Trust Fund that provides for an annual scholarship to UBC for disbursement.

ENVISION CREDIT UNION PIONEERS TRUST
This Trust incorporates Memorials provided by Delta Credit Union in 1987 and First Heritage Savings Credit Union in 1985 (both now known as Envision Credit Union). This award speaks to Envision's strong commitment to youth by assisting them to attain their education goals.

GARRY ERMACORA MEMORIAL TRUST
Established by Mrs. Lillian Ermacora in memory of her son, this award is provided to a graduating or former student of Selkirk Secondary School who is pursuing a career in the field of medicine, in particular as a medical doctor.

FLO & BERT GLADU MEMORIAL
When they retired from active participation after 41 years of serving in virtually every volunteer capacity in the Credit Union movement,  VanCity Savings Credit Union honoured Flo & Bert Gladu with this Memorial.  Bert was on VanCity’s Credit Committee for 13 years and a Director 31 years as well as a Credit Union Central of BC Director for 12 years.  Flo was instrumental in the formation of the Credit Union School Savings Program and was secretary to the Board of VanCity.

A. ROD GLEN INTERNATIONAL TRUST FUND
A founding member of Powell River Credit Union in 1939 and president of Nanaimo District Savings Credit Union from 1950 to his death in 1979, A. Rod Glen was well known and respected locally and internationally as a leader in the credit union system.  Among his many activities he was a director of the World Council of Credit Unions and had the distinction of being the first Canadian to hold the office of president of the Credit Union National Association.  After Rod died, the A. Rod Glen Memorial Fund was instigated by Credit Union Central of B.C. providing $5,000 a year for five years.  With Rod’s work in international credit union development in mind, the Trustees re-designated the fund in 1991 as the A. Rod Glen International Trust Fund and with further donations from the members dues significantly increasing the fund, grants are provided to credit union and co-operative projects overseas.  A grant is also provided to Nanaimo’s Malaspina University College for disbursement.

GRANT THORNTON PERPETUAL TRUST
In 1997 the Trustees approved establishment of this trust to formally recognize the annual contribution to the Credit Union Foundation of BC’s auditors (formerly known as Doane Raymond) of the cost of the audit fee.

GREATER VANCOUVER COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION PIONEERS TRUST
Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union inaugurated this memorial in honour of the pioneers that made significant contributions to the community, to Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union and to the credit union movement:  Alf Corra, John Duffie, Frank Filgiano, Jack Jaworski, Don McDonough, Carl Schretlen, Bill Sims.  Awards are available to students in any field of endeavour to help them attain their career goals.

PAUL HUMPHRIES MEMORIAL
When a tragic air mishap took the lives of Paul Humphries, his wife and children, Dennis Humphries established this fund in memory of his son to encourage the promotion of air transportation safety and requested awards be directed to students on aviation related programs.  A long time resident of North Vancouver, Dennis served as a Director of the North Shore Credit Union and of Credit Union Central of BC, and was a Foundation Trustee from 1988 to 1997.   When Dennis passed away, further contributions were received for this trust from family and friends in tribute to Dennis’ life as an educator and community and credit union volunteer.

INTERIOR SAVINGS CREDIT UNION PIONEERS TRUST
The Board of Thompson Valley Savings Credit Union donated funds to establish this trust in 1990 "to help support all the good activities of the Credit Union Foundation". The credit union merged and is now known as Interior Savings Credit Union.

KLA HOW YA SOCIETY, A. ROD GLEN MEMORIAL
When the Kla How Ya Society (associated with Nanaimo District Credit Union) disbanded, it made a capital fund gift to the Foundation for a memorial honouring their founder and most active supporter, A. Rod Glen.

JOHN H. LUCAS MEMORIAL
John Lucas, a former president of Credit Union Central of BC and president of the IWA Credit Union for 24 years, at the time of his death was vice-president of both Credit Union Central of BC and the Credit Union Foundation of BC as well as director for the National Association, Canadian Co-operative, and several of Central’s subsidiaries.  Contributions to this memorial were received from associates at the local, provincial, national and international levels of the credit union organization and from his co-workers at Canadian White Pine.

JERRY & BELLE LUNDIE MEMORIALS & BEQUESTS
Jerry Lundie was a Charter Member and the first Chairman of the Foundation.  For 32 years, he and wife Belle were active in a wide range of volunteer positions at the local and provincial levels of the Credit Union Movement.  The successful continuation of the Foundation’s philanthropic work was assured when Jerry and Belle made a generous bequest to the Foundation.  In tribute to their legacy of sharing and caring, the Foundation provides grants annually to BCIT and SFU for disbursal.

BRUCE ALBION McDIARMID MEMORIAL
Yale District Credit Union instigated this memorial honouring the memory of Bruce McDiarmid’s 15 years of dedication and effort to their Credit Union as a Director and 11 years as their Chairman of the Board.

R.J. (BOB) McMASTER MEMORIALS & BEQUEST
For a quarter of a century, almost every piece of credit union and co-operative legislation in this province was influenced by ‘Bob’ McMaster – the ‘Credit Union Lawyer’.  He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Foundation through his active support, financial donations, and with a bequest in his will.  Credit Union Central of BC, credit unions, co-operatives, affiliated organizations, associates and personal friends contributed, provincially and nationally to this Memorial while his legal firm, Davis & Company, also established an “R.J. McMaster Memorial supportive of Bob’s philanthropic interest in the Foundation.  Grants are provided annually to Simon Fraser University, U.B.C., and the University of Victoria and to students studying in the field of Law.

MT. LEHMAN CREDIT UNION PIONEERS TRUST
Promoting the Foundation's work, this trust was established in 2000.

OPERATING ENGINEERS CREDIT UNION PIONEERS MEMORIAL
Established in 1989, Operating Engineers Credit Union provides an annual donation in honour of their pioneers.

This trust incorporates the original memorial established for Harry & Doris Berger. Harry was a founding charter member, president and director of Operating Engineers Credit Union. Doris was a dedicated volunteer serving as secretary to the Credit Union’s Board, the Credit Union Foundation of BC and other associated organizations. Much of Doris and Harry’s volunteer work reflected their keen interest in less privileged children.

VAL PEARSON / VIOLET DE COURCY MEMORIAL
Val Pearson was always interested in and involved in the education and training of young people, having taught at the Vancouver Vocational Institute.  For many years an annual grant donated by United Civic Savings Credit Union remembered Val’s 20 years of service to the credit union and was the base to establishing a permanent Trust from which a grant is now provided annually to Vancouver Community College. His daughter, Violet de Courcy, served for many years on the Foundation's board.

SHIRLEY C. SCHMID BURSARY TRUST
In recognition of Shirley Schmid’s extraordinary contribution to the development of co-operative housing, this Bursary Trust was established by the Columbia Housing Advisory.  Awards are provided to students who are residents of housing co-operatives that are in good standing with the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada and/or of B.C. 

RICHARD W. SLATER HONORARY TRUST
Established in 1989, North Shore Credit Union honoured Dick Slater for his dedicated service to the credit union and the credit union system in B.C. Dick, who served as a member of their Board for 20 years during which two terms were as Chairman, was a firm believer that "Credit Unions truly have the best interest of people at heart". It was Dick's wish that the bursary fund be used to help students whose interests lie in the humanities, fine arts or any field which will help expand understanding among people.

SHIRLEY LEWIS SMITH MEMORIAL
Friends and fellow artists celebrated Shirley Lewis Smith's life with donations to this trust to provide financial encouragement to a graduating or former student of Selkirk Secondary School who has demonstrated their love of the visual arts and who is continuing with studies at a post secondary level. The former high school Art & English teacher, Shirley Lewis Smith spearheaded local artists into a group called 'The Critic Club' and was a member of Kimberley's Center 64.

TERRY SMITH MEMORIAL
Established in 2003, Community Savings Credit Union honours the memory of Terrance Bruce Smith (1946-2001), a member of 33 years of which 20 was served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Terry had a distinguised service record with the IWA as 1st vice-president of IWA Local 1-357, as president of the local union, and as the national secretary treasurer of the IWA of Canada. In 1991, he received the Joe Morris Labour Community Service Award from the United Way of the Lower Mainland for outstanding efforts to improve community services. He was also a founding director of Pacifica, a member of the Lower Mainland Assessment and Referral Society, and served on New Westminster's Advisory Planning Commission and the Athletic Commission.

Awards from this trust will be available for students attending B.C. post secondary schools or the Labour College of Canada and who are enrolled in any of the following: Trades & Apprenticeship or Political Science programs and Sociology related fields: Social Work, Community Planning, Enviromental or Co-operative studies.

SUNSHINE COAST CREDIT UNION TRUST
In recognition of the Credit Union Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, Sunshine Coast Credit Union established this trust in 2007 to provide financial assistance to students from the Sunshine Coast area pursuing post-secondary studies.

LUCILLE SUTHERLAND BURSARY TRUST
Our ‘First Lady of the Foundation’, Lucille Sutherland consistently applied the basic credit union philosophy of people helping people.  When she retired in 1987, donations established this fund in tribute to her patience, skill, vision, courage and dedicated service for over 25 years that built the Credit Union Foundation of BC into a successful enterprise.  Grants are provided annually to Northern Lights College and UBC for disbursement.

R.E. (BOB) TYLDSLEY MEMORIAL
Bob Tyldsley was with the Vancouver Police force for 37 years, was a delegate to the credit union annual meetings for 38 years, strongly supported the introduction of universal medicare - his life was one of service to his fellowman.  In tribute to Bob’s dedication to the Credit Union philosophy of people helping people to help themselves, V.P. Credit Union, the Greater Vancouver Regional District, C.U.&C. Health Services Society, Credit Union Central of B.C. and VanCity Savings CU joined in the formation of this memorial. 

UNITED SAVINGS CREDIT UNION TRUST
This trust was initially established as a capital fund donation in memory of their dedicated assistant-manager, Otto Miller, who died suddenly in office.  For many years the Credit Union continued to honour its pioneers, like Walter Lovering Cook who was a director for 12 years, by donating funds raised at their annual Charity Golf Tournaments. The credit union is now part of the G&F Financial Group

VALLEY FIRST CREDIT UNION HERITAGE TRUST
Valley First established this trust in 2007 to commemorate its 60th anniversary and recognize the Credit Union Foundation's 50th anniversary. The trust honors Valley First's heritage and supports the people of the communities it serves by helping them achieve their educational goals.

LEWIS VAN DER GRACHT TRUST FUND
In tribute to their former CEO for more than three decades, Lewis van der Gracht, a charter member and first Treasurer, Richmond Savings Credit Union (now known as Coast Capital Savings Credit Union) established this trust fund in recognition of his many years of service.  Awards are designated to go to Kwantlen University College for disbursal.

VANCITY SAVINGS CREDIT UNION PERPETUAL TRUST
This Trust was a capital fund donation established by Vancouver City Savings Credit Union in appreciation and support of the philanthropic work of the Foundation on behalf of the Credit Union Movement.

VANCOUVER FIREFIGHTERS CREDIT UNION PIONEERS MEMORIAL
In establishing this Memorial, Vancouver Firefighters Credit Union paid tribute to Howard Hunter and Roy N. Treasurer. 

Roy Treasurer served the Credit Union from 1947 to 1975 building a stable organization to serve the needs of members.  Roy was with the Vancouver Fire Department from 1942 to 1975, retiring with the rank of District Chief.

Howard Hunter, one of the Credit Union’s founding members, served as their General Manager from 1945 to 1970, was a charter member of the Credit Union Foundation of BC and was a director and President of C.U. & C. Health Services for 10 years.  Howard was with the Vancouver Fire Department from 1929 to 1970, retiring with the rank of Assistant Chief.  In honour of his memory, donations received annually from his beloved wife Lillian Hunter have almost doubled the Trust.

VAN-TEL/SAFEWAY CREDIT UNION PIONEERS MEMORIAL
Established by Van-Tel Credit Union (later known as VanTel/Safeway Credit Union), this trust fund recognizes the years of dedicated service from:  Les King, Leo Morris, and  Sadie McIlwaine who was a volunteer officer from 1951 to 1982. In 2007, the credit union became part of Vancity Savings Credit Union.

GEORGE VIERECK MEMORIAL
In tribute to a pioneer who embodied the basic roots of the credit union and co-operative movement in Canada, the George Viereck Memorial was established through contributions made by many B.C. credit unions and individuals.  A grant is provided annually to the University of Northern British Columbia for disbursement.

WESTMINSTER SAVINGS CREDIT UNION TRUST
This trust incorporates the Dogwood Credit Union Pioneers Memorial established in 1989 as the credit union merged with Westminster Savings Credit Union in 1994 and the Newescu Association Trust which was established by a captial fund donation "for the good of credit union members generally" by the Newescu Social & Travel Society, which was established by and for Westminster Credit Union members, when it disbanded.

WILLIAMS LAKE AND DISTRICT CREDIT UNION TRUST
A memorial was established in 1990, by the Bella Coola Valley Credit Union to honour Helmer Pedersen's thirty-nine years of dedicated service. In 1998 that credit union became part of the Williams Lake & District Credit Union. Wishing to continue with the spirit of people helping people through this trust, in 2007 the credit union supplemented the original memorial in honour of the Credit Union Foundation’s 50th Anniversary.

LEW WOOD BURSARY TRUST
Starting in 1973 Transport Credit Union of BC (now part of the G&F Financial Group) provided an annual bursary in honour of Lew Wood, their manager for 17 years.  In 1993 the Credit Union Foundation of BC Trustees voted to establish the Lew Wood Bursary Trust to ensure awards will always be available to help students achieve their career goals.

WALLACE WRIGHT BURSARY TRUST
A devoted and respected Industrial Education teacher of 23 years in the Surrey School District, Wallace Wright has established this trust to provide an annual bursary to be awarded to a graduating student from Surrey School District No. 36. The recipient must be in need of financial assistance, proven to be committed to the field of industrial technology education, and intend to pursue their education at the post-secondary level. Applications, with teachers letters of recommendation, will be accepted through the Surrey Technology Teachers' Association.