YARD, Paul Garnet

January 5, 1946 - May 11, 2024

Paul Garnet Yard passed away on May 11th while getting some petunia's in for Mother's Day. We are so grateful that he passed at home as he wanted to. Aurora borealis over Vancouver? The old man knew how to go out in style! Paul is survived by his loving wife Dianne, son David (Rider, Kaia) and daughter Jaime (Simone, Bri). Paul was born in Victoria, BC where he lived on Wellington Ave with his parents Gilbert ("Buster") and Dorothy Yard (nee Fraser), and siblings Gilbert, Robert, and Linda. The family moved to Kelowna and then to Trail, BC, picking up friends they kept for a lifetime at each place. After spending "eight years" not-quite getting a degree at UBC, Paul started "Candles of Distinction," with his brother Rob. He designed and built his own "taper" machine at his 1000 Parker Street studio capable of churning out 1000 candles a day. An exhibitor at the first Circle Craft Christmas Market held at the Cultch in East Van, Paul subsequently served the craft cooperative as the General Manager running the xmas market at the VTCC from 1987-2018. Mutual friends Jack and Carole Parisotto introduced Paul to his wife Dianne Marie Squires in 1968. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in January. In 1986 Paul, Dianne, Jack, Carole, Char and Mike Inman, Don and Pat MacDonald and Bob and Linda Buxton collectively purchased in lot in Pender Harbour and founded BIMPY's. His greatest was joy being there, heading out fishing at dawn in his boat the Yellow Canary (I-III). Paul was kind to everyone. He was always game to share in a laugh, a scotch, and a game of cards. He was taught to fish at an early age by his Aunt Bea who would take him to Dee Lake Lodge in Kelowna, knowledge he passed on to a generation of kids who are now teaching their own kids. "Grief, I've learned, is really just love. It's all the love you want to give but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go." To remember Paul, in lieu of flowers, we suggest you take a clipping from your garden and go introduce yourself to a neighbour. That would make him smile. A celebration of life will be held at the ICC in Vancouver on Thursday June 13th at 1pm. All are welcome.