Frankly Speaking

Bill and Etta Marr. Bill Marr took his final journey from the confines of Earth on Feb. 23. The Langley pioneer and longtime pilot died at age 100 at Langley Lodge. His memorial service on Friday had many wonderful touches - most of which involved the theme of flight. The Fraser Blues aircraft formation team, based at Langley Airport, flew over St. Andrew's Anglican Church, where the service was held. The flypast took place after the service, so that all in attendance could come out and see it. The blue sky and puffy white clouds made a wonderful backdrop. The four planes flew low over the church twice. Then on the third pass, one plane went upwards from the other three, and off into a different direction. This is known as the "missing man" formation, and is a common and memorable salute to a fellow pilot who has died. Bill was born in Bramshott, England on July 5, 1917, the most difficult and challenging year of the First World War. His father, well-loved pioneer...

Hugh Davis (centre) honoured me by coming to my retirement party from The Langley Times in June, 2015. Seated with him are (left to right) Terry Smith, Bev Sommer, Warren Sommer, his longtime friend Irene McKaig, Marj Friesen and Benno Friesen. Hugh's long and productive life will be remembered at a celebration of life Saturday at the Kings School, next door to the Milner farm where he was born 93 years ago. Hugh Davis, who passed away at age 93 on Oct. 2, was one of the last links with the early days of Langley Township. He was the third generation of the Davis family to operate an active and vibrant dairy farm on a portion of what was the Hudson’s Bay Company lands in Milner. The HBC farm was established in Milner in 1835 in an effort to broaden the economic activity conducted at nearby Fort Langley. It was the first farm in the Fraser Valley, predating the establishment of British Columbia by 24 years. The company finally decided to sell the land, with it going to au...