John Edwyn (Ted) Dew-Jones was a familiar name on the Times Colonist Letters page for years as he espoused his views on sewage treatment, but that was just one part of a well-rounded life filled with family, friends and a broad range of interests.
He died this month at the age of 91, leaving his wife of 63 years, Meg, four children and four grandchildren.
Son Malcolm Dew-Jones said that getting the word out about his father’s memorial service Saturday has included putting up a picture of him and a notice at the Crystal Pool, which he frequented for many years. He said the staff member he spoke to recognized his father right away.
“He saw the picture and he said, ‘Oh, yes, yes! Thanks for bringing that in!’ ”
Malcolm said his father wasn’t planning to be an anti-sewage-treatment advocate — he supported the long outfalls in the region — but he felt he had to speak his mind. “He didn’t really plan to be active in that, but it annoyed him.”
Ted, an engineer, had a strong background on the issue, serving as manager of B.C.’s Pollution Control Branch when the decision to install the outfalls was made.
His father enjoyed the fact that he was part of the sewage debate and was working to hold off construction of a treatment plant, Malcolm said.
Ted detailed his point of view in the 1991 book Victoria’s Sewage Circus.
“One of his list of things that he was most proud of was that he helped ensure they didn’t waste hundreds of millions of dollars on something he felt was foolish,” Malcolm said.
The situation has changed since then with a $765-million sewage project underway, something that was upsetting for him, said daughter Susan Dew-Jones. In some of his final letters to the Times Colonist, Ted advocated that the Capital Regional District should take the federal government to court for ruling that the region had to have secondary treatment.
Rebecca Warburton, who served with Ted in a citizens’ group that questioned the need for land-based treatment, said he was “a strong and consistent fighter for science and evidence-based policy.”
Warburton, an associate professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, said he fought his fight on sewage issues for over 30 years.
“I was very sad to hear that he died.” she said. “He did have health issues these last few years.”
Ted grew up in England and moved to Canada first in the 1950s, and then again in 1968 after some time back in England.
Malcolm said his father was a musician and a quick wit, and liked a good joke.
“He had various ones that he would tell here and there.”
Susan said her father was considered “jolly” and was well-known for his Christmas parties.
He enjoyed playing the piano.
“He was superb,” Malcolm said. “That wasn’t so much a public thing that people would know but it certainly was an important part of his life.”
His father made the occasional appearance in choirs, including at James Bay United Church. “He wasn’t particularly religious, but he filled in on occasion if they needed a bass singer.”
Along with involvement in such groups as the Newcombe Singers, the Victoria Wine Club and the Old Cemeteries Society, his father was quick to “step up to the plate” whenever one of his children needed help with their activities, Malcolm said.
When his sisters were part of a pony club, dad helped out as treasurer, and Malcolm’s stint as a Junior Forest Warden got an assist when dad agreed to attend meetings as an adult supervisor.
Ted’s efforts with the Old Cemeteries Society came alongside past-president Wilf Bruch, who remembers him as being “very dedicated to the projects he undertook.”
“He was a very methodical man and very conscientious and easy to work with.”
Saturday’s service is at 2:30 p.m. at Fairfield United Church.
