Francis "Oliver" Owens

Francis Oliver Owens (May 16, 1937- Feb 26, 2025) was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Catherine McGookin (d. 1970) and Patrick Joseph Owens (d. 1978). He is survived by his loving partner, Maria; his four children: Bob, Jacqueline (Greg), Gerry (Angie), Tim (Kris), and six grandchildren whom he adored. Madeleine (Hudson), Nicholas (Emily) and Natalie (Peter), Dante, Kenzie, and Allie, and one great-grandchild expected in April 2025. The youngest of six, Oliver is also survived by brother Fr. Finnian Owens of Portglenone, N. Ireland, and his sister Mona (Joe) Lamont of Newtownabbey, N. Ireland.

He is Predeceased by his brother, Patrick Owens (N. Ireland), and sisters Theresa O’Grady (N. Ireland) and Kathleen Knauer (Canada).

Oliver enjoyed playing Gaelic football, hurling, and soccer in his home country before leaving for England to train as a psychiatric nurse at Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone, Kent. He then married and immigrated to Canada with his first wife, Gioconda, and subsequently worked at Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam until his retirement.

Rest in peace, Dad. We will miss your quick wit, sly humour, intelligence, and generosity.

We love you.

Special thanks to the ER staff at Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, and the team at St. Michael’s Hospice, Burnaby, BC for their care and support.