Past Projects 1

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A Few Last Repairs

As the season comes to a close, we were able to finish a few last repairs. It has been a great season. We have accomplished a lot and made a difference!

Cleaning Bee #2 September 7 2024

We had a great turnout for our second cleaning bee of the summer. Thank You to all the volunteers who spent an incredible morning cleaning graves at Ross Bay Cemetery. In all we cleaned 42 graves. We made a difference!!

Vandalism during the week of July 14th 2024.

We have been fairly lucky over the past 20 years with few bouts of vandalism at Ross Bay Cemetery but it still happens! This week, someone pushed over the memorial to Jane Purvis Simpsom, F05E19. This monument has been damaged before and each time it gets a bit more difficult to repair. As you can see by the pictures, this was definitely deliberate. We were able to repair it quickly so as not to encourage more of the same.

Cleaning Bee July 13

Our cleaning bee on Saturday July 13 was a huge success! We cleaned about 25 monuments in Block F & C, Cleaned up the Douglas and Moss graves, Washed the Charolet Brown and Moss graves and fixed two graves. 16 Volunteers attended and the Old Cemeteries Society is most grateful for their support.

Cleaning Bee

We will host a cleaning bee on Saturday July 13 at 10 am. If you would like to help or just find out what we do, meet us at the caretakers shed. Bring a hat, water and all your energy!!A little bush removal

It is surprising what an hour of volunteering will do at the cemetery! This is the Williams plot in Ross Bay Cemetery which was getting overgrown with bushes. (P110WU) Should be good for a few years.

Our gate project is complete!

Go to our “Gate Project Page” for the latest updates and pictures.

The “Last Post Fund”

The “Last Post Fund” through Mortimer’s Monumental Works are in the process of erecting some 200 new markers at Ross Bay Cemetery to commemorate the lives and service of people were part of a military groups and who’s grave do not have a marker. https://www.lastpostfund.ca/

Thank you to the “parks crew”

A big thank you to the “parks crew” at Ross Bay Cemetery for leveling this monument in Block A

Have you seen our new “Memorial Gate page” ?

Bossi Angel Repaired

October 2022 Vandalism

Thanksgiving weekend of 2022 saw 6 monuments vandalized at Ross Bay Cemetery. Three were toppled and easily re-erected but three were damaged. Not a good omen for Halloween season. All have been repaired.

The Garden Party – August 21 2022

The OCS executive invites you to join them for the annual garden party at Ross Bay Villa on August 21, 2022. The garden will be open at 3 p.m. following the Sunday tour where sandwiches, veggies, coffee /tea and dessert will be served.

Thank you.

Gerry Buydens

The never ending battle

No matter how hard we try, cemetery monuments will get broken by falling trees and branches, deer and vandalism. Below is the last victim of a tree fall. There are only five large statues in Ross Bay Cemetery. Last year the Pooly angel lost a wing to a pine tree branch and this week the Bossi angel has lost a wing to a fallen pine tree. The sad part of this loss is that we had requested that this tree be removed on at least two different occasions. Each time the city arborist has told us that the tree in question was safe and healthy and could do no harm to the Bossi Angel.. Hate to say “I told you so” but……..

George Russell Stewart

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our longtime editor. George Russell Stewart, Russ, passed away peacefully in Victoria on November 28. Our condolences to his family and we assure them that we will remember. Rest in Peace Russ.

July 2020

Restoration and repair are an ongoing concern at Ross Bay Cemetery. Check out our projects for this summer.

February 20, 2020

We would like to thank the City of Victoria Parks Dept for their quick response to this vandalism. The tagging has been removed and the monument looks good again.

I will never understand the mentality of people who hide in the shadows and vandalize public and private property. I have to ask, to what end? It is just scentless! This set of pictures is from Ross Bay Cemetery February 19, 2020 at the grave of Sir James Douglas.

2019 Pioneer Square

2019….There is an ongoing problem with the homeless at The Old Burying Ground (Pioneer Square). The grave top around the Pritchard monument has deteriorated from the constant misuse.

Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria

British Columbia, Canada