McCall Gardens Funeral and Cremation Service

09/11/2025

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Today, we pause in remembrance of the 24th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We remember the lives lost and their families and friends. We also reflect with deep gratitude on the compassion of those who served and supported families during that time of profound loss.

We will never forget.

07/01/2025

Lest We Forget.

While most Canadians know July 1st as Canada Day, in Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1st has an additional and more solemn meaning as it is also Memorial Day in the province ... a day to remember the anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.

July 1, 1916 would be on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, near the village of Beaumont-Hamel in northern France and the Newfoundland Regiment would enter the action. The Regiment suffered heavy casualties during the battle and more than 80 percent of the regiment was either killed or wounded. At the time, Newfoundland was not yet part of Canada as they didn't enter into conferderation with Canada until 1949.

The battlefield site at Beaumont-Hamel was an obvious choice for a memorial monument as it was a defining moment in Newfoundland history and remains an enduring symbol of the province’s First World War experience. The Beaumont Hamel site was officially opened on June 7, 1925 and is the largest of five memorials dedicated to the 1st Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the region.

A large bronze caribou stands on a rocky outcrop above three bronze memorial tablets near the original Newfoundland forward trenches on July 1. Tablets contain the names of 814 Newfoundlanders from the Newfoundland Regiment, the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve and the Mercantile Marine who died in service and who have no known graves. The Beaumont Hamel memorial became a Canadian National Historic Site in 1997.

Lest we forget.

07/01/2025

Happy Canada Day!

06/24/2025

A Dogs Prayer.
“Treat me kindly my beloved friend for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than the loving heart of me. Speak softly to me often, for your voice is music to my ears, as you can tell by the fierce wagging of my tail, whenever you call my name.”
By Patricia Czubak

It is with great sadness that we inform everyone of the sudden passing of Riley’s beautiful Olive. Greeter, companion, bringer of comfort to the bereaved. The most requested member of our staff…

She was a very special girl, and she will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Although Riley does not know where Olive's story began, she does know that on May 3, 2018, she found the most wonderful big lady, and the next day, had to bring her home. When Riley joined our family at McCall Gardens, Olive instantly fell into place beside her and won all our hearts.

Over the years, Olive become a ray of sunshine and a pillar of support to not just Riley’s family, but her whole work community at McCall Gardens.

She was a natural therapy dog, and knew exactly where, when and how long she was needed. Always there, quietly stepping into a room as if on cue.

We are all heartbroken to have lost her. Thank you to everyone who has loved her. Thank you, Riley, for sharing her with us.

“On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.”

06/17/2025

Meet our staff.

David A. McCall
(Chairman)

David, a third-generation funeral director, was born and raised in Victoria. He began his career in the funeral profession in 1977, following his graduation from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Deeply committed to his profession, David was actively involved with the Funeral Service Association of BC and played a key role in the development and passage of the province’s Funeral Services Act. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family — including his five grandchildren — as well as salmon fishing and golfing.

06/10/2025

Meet Our Staff

Dean Freer
(General Manager/ Licensed Funeral Director)

Dean was born in Trail, British Columbia and raised in Victoria where he completed his high school education at Lambrick Park Secondary School. Starting his career with McCall’s in the fall of 1988, Dean received his professional training at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where he graduated from the Mortuary Science program. In 1998, McCall’s built it’s second location, Sequoia Gardens, where Dean was promoted to Location Manager. Following in the footsteps of his retired mentor, Stuart Carrol, Dean now looks after the overall operations of the company as General Manager.

Dean serves as Vice-Chair of the Shawnigan Improvement District and is a member of Bear Mountain Golf Club. For many years Dean was an active member of the Saanich Police Reserve Program, Uplands Golf Club, Victoria Harbourside Rotary Club, Royal Canadian Legion and the Shawnigan Lake Fire Department where he attained the rank of Lieutenant. Some of his hobbies include hunting, fly fishing, golf and hockey. Dean is married and has two beautiful daughters.

06/05/2025

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we learned that former CSA astronaut Marc Garneau has passed away.

Marc Garneau was one of the original six Canadian astronauts. He made history as the first Canadian in space in 1984 and flew in space on three missions. He also served as a naval engineer, as President of the CSA, and as a Member of Parliament.

Read our declaration: https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency/news/2025/06/the-canadian-space-agency-remembers-marc-garneau.html

05/29/2025

Hello everyone. It is time to vote for Victoria's Best Of The City! Please follow the link to support McCall Gardens and other fine establishments in our area. Thank you for following our page and thank you for your consideration and continuing support!

Check it out now!

05/22/2025

The McCall family and our staff wish to express our sincere condolences to Kent Roduck, his family, and his staff at the Comox Valley Funeral Home. Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Posted on behalf of Kent Roduck and family.
Condolences may be sent to:
info@comoxvalleyfuneralhome.com

05/17/2025

May 17, 2020; a Snowbirds jet suffered from a bird ingestion immediately after departure from Kamloops Airport, causing the single-engine C-114 Tutor jet to lose all power at low altitude. The Snowbird aircraft went down on the Kamloops leg of Operation Inspiration cross-country tour aimed at boosting Canadians’ spirits during COVID-19. Sadly, Snowbirds PAO Capt. Jenn Casey was killed in the crash. The pilot, Capt. Richard MacDougall was injured but survived.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Casey’s loved ones and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds on this solemn anniversary.

Captain Jennifer Casey, 1985-2020
www.Sierrahotel.net
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05/08/2025

Victory in Europe Day is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday, 8 May 1945; it marked the official surrender of all German military operations. We honour all those who served and/or lay down their lives to achieve this goal.

05/06/2025

After nearly 20 years of greeting and serving our families as our Executive Assistant, we sadly bid Deanne Bienert a fond farewell as she embarks on a new journey into retirement.

Deanne was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has lived most of her life on the West Coast of BC. She attended Kwantlen College for Marketing, worked in Customer Service roles for Tourism BC, IBM and Great-West Life. She met and married her husband, John, and then moved to Whistler, BC, where they together ran a successful business for many years.

In 2005, they moved to Victoria and soon after Deanne joined the McCall’s family at our original location on Vancouver Street. Following our relocation to Falaise Drive, Deanne continued to enjoy a gratifying vocation helping to serve our families.

Deanne has been a caring, proficient and highly experienced Executive Assistant, using her expertise and gentle manner to guide families during their time of grief. Our office will not be the same without her.

Deanne will now spend time relaxing and travelling with her husband, John.

It has been an honour and a privilege having Deanne as a member of the McCall Gardens team for the past 19 years. Thank you for your Service.

“This is the beginning of anything you want.” – Unknown