Tribute

It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend,  Christopher Ballyn at Langley Memorial Hospital on May 9th 2023.  Born and raised in Toronto, Christopher grew up amongst a close-knit family.  Christopher attended the University of Toronto’s prestigious School of Architecture where he earned an Architectural degree and in 1960 became a Member of the Royal Architectural Institute Of Canada.  Early in his career, he joined the prominent Toronto based architecture firm Webb, Zerafa, Menkes and Housdon Architects (WZMH) and eventually headed up the firm’s offices in Calgary and Vancouver. It was Christopher’s design that won an architectural competition for Calgary’s Municipal Building, built in the mid nineteen eighties.

Christopher owned homes in Calgary and North Vancouver for a number of years, and after  retirement, purchased a property in South Langley. He spent many happy years renovating and recreating his large home and enjoying his beautiful property, especially his rhododendrons in the expansive gardens.

Christopher will be fondly remembered for his sociable, magnetic, warm and charming personality, his avid interest in the Langley chapter of the Rhododendron Society, as well as his many and varied wide ranging interests and his fondness for Classical music.

Although Christopher was quite private and secluded in his later years, he could occasionally be seen dashing around Langley in his black modified Cadillac which he affectionately called the “Queen Mary”. Christopher firmly believed that life was an adventure that was to be lived to the fullest. His life was a testament to this belief.

Predeceased by his Mother Anne Thelma Eileen Ballyn, Father William Clifford Ballyn and younger brother Paul Dewi Ballyn, Christopher leaves behind and is greatly missed by his many friends in Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Toronto and Florida. A kind note about Christopher’s friends and neighbours who made such a valiant effort to be of great assistance to Christopher latterly, while he was still living in his country home. Their outstanding kindness and thoughtfulness over several years, was deeply valued by Christopher and by those of us who were further away and appreciated their being there for him, when we couldn’t be.

Christopher was a very kind and caring person who believed in giving back to the community. Over the years he had generously donated money to different charities and organizations and supported the Arts in Canada. At Christopher’s request, no ceremony was held. If you would like to do something in remembrance of Christopher, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

He was especially fond of wildlife and nature.