Obituary of Victor Pinney

Just weeks after celebrating his ninetieth birthday with family, Victor Pinney went to be with God, his Creator and heavenly Father. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Phyllis Pinney (nee Rae), for whom Vic was a beloved companion throughout almost 60 years of marriage. He is lovingly remembered by his children, Jennifer (Murray) and Stephen (Krista), who are abundantly thankful for the life lessons, multitudinous camping trips and weekly bakery treats with which he spoiled them during their childhood, and for his continued quiet, steady support in their adult lives. He is held fondly in the hearts of his grandchildren – Tristram, Weston, Eliza and Jonas – as their fun-loving “grampa”.Vic grew up in an orphanage in England but, intelligent and persevering, determined at a young age to make something of his life. A keen student, he received a full scholarship to Liverpool University where he studied engineering. After emigrating to Canada as a young adult and a brief stint in Sudbury working as a metallurgical engineer, Vic completed a Bachelor of Education at University of Toronto and settled into a career as a secondary school teacher of mathematics for the duration of his working life. While teaching in Stouffville he met his wife and, although he had never experienced family himself, he became a dedicated husband and father.Vic was a voracious reader, a deep thinker, a lifelong learner. A quiet, humble man with a delightfully dry sense of humour, he had a plethora of interests, including sports, nature, history, travel, poetry, music, architecture and art. He enjoyed solitary hobbies such as stamp collecting, sketching and painting but he was always happy to share his hobbies with likeminded others, especially his grandchildren who all share his artistic creativity.The last four years of Vic’s life were complicated by numerous health issues but he never lost his desire to carry on as fully as possible. Despite considerable challenges in recent years, Vic demonstrated gentleness of spirit and gratitude toward family and friends who cared for him. Though he had never had a childhood home, he knew with confidence in his final years that his wife, children and grandchildren were his home and that, more marvelous yet, an eternal home awaited him. This child of God is now secure and at peace in the presence of his heavenly Father who has always, always loved him.As a result of on-going pandemic restrictions, the small memorial service that will be held for Victor mid-September is by invitation only.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Bible Society, Covenant House Toronto, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.