HORACE DOUGALD “ACE” BEACH

It is with sadness that the family of Horace Beach announces the passing of our Dad and Papa, on October 2, 2008 in Saskatoon at City Hospital peacefully in his sleep at the age of 89.  Horace was preceded by his wife Maxie, brothers, Garnet, Paul, Dexter, Royal, infant sister Gwendolyn, and parents James and Floria.  He is survived by his children Dave (Sharon), Doug (Laurie), Wayne (Sharon), Louise (Tim), Gwen, Dawna, Peter (Jean); grandchildren, Morgan, Graydon, Kaila, Cristian, Brendan, Ashley, Nicole and Ashley; brothers Norman, Homer, Orland and sisters Joy, Pauline, Dorothy and Dawna’s mother Wendy Beach. Dad also leaves behind a very close friend Gary Latham. Dad was born on the family farm at Ernfold, Saskatchewan, March 12, 1919, where he grew up and attended school.  He then attended the University of Saskatchewan, to study agriculture. When war broke out he joined the Canadian Officers Training Corps, and went into the army as a second Lieutenant.  He served with the Trois Rivieres Regiment Tank Core in North Africa and Italy.  He received the American Silver Star Medal in 1945 for negotiating the surrender of 140 enemy soldiers, after which he was promoted to Captain. He stayed on after the war and posted to Germany where he met his future wife Maxie. He then went to Edinburgh University where his interest in psychology began.  In 1946 he headed back to the family farm in Ernfold. He returned to the Saskatoon to complete his Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Saskatchewan.  During the summer of 1948 he returned to Germany to attend an International Students Conference.  There he was reunited with Maxie, and shortly after she immigrated to Canada.  They were married in January of 1949. After completing his Bachelor of Arts Degree, Dad was awarded the Rhodes scholarship to attend Oxford University in England, where he graduated with a Masters Degree in Psychology and Philosophy in 1951.  From there he was accepted to McGill University and earned his PhD in Psychology.  Dad accepted a job in St. John’s Newfoundland as a clinical psychologist. After this he moved to Halifax where he established and became the Director of Counseling Services.  In 1972 he and Maxie and their family moved to Victoria , B.C., where Dad was the Director of the Counseling Center at the University of Victoria, until his retirement in 1984.  During his distinguished career Dad researched and published numerous articles, papers and books.  He was involved in various organizations and held high office in a large number of them.  In 1977 he was awarded Award of Merit by the Canadian University Counseling Association for his outstanding service in the areas of student services, applied psychology and, particular university counseling. He will be missed by all. A celebration of Dad’s life will be held on Tuesday October 7, 2008 at W.J.Jones & Son  Chapel, 106 Athabasca St.E., Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, at 1:30 pm. In living memory of Horace, a tree will be planted in Besant Park by W.J.Jones & Son Funeral Home.

Guest Book

Marcella Epoch - Moose Jaw, SK: Pauline, I am thinking of you. I had  many enjoyable conversations with Ace when he was living at the Bentley. Take care. Mickey Epoch

Dr. William Brooks - Ottawa, ON: Please accept my condolences on the passing of you Dad and brother. We worked in counselling in Nova Scotia, and he was one of the first in the field to be welcoming in 1969. The many students in Canada whom Ace helped may not know of his passing, but they would tell you they were the beneficiaries of his care. His constant desire to see solid academic grounding in a field sometimes beset with little rigour marked his leadership. He has fought the battle well. May he now rest peacefully and you, his family, recall the best of a fine human being.

Bram Goldwater - Victoria, BC: I knew Ace in the Psychology Department at the University of Victoria. Not well, really, but well enough to get a sense of his kindness and goodness. My  condolences to his family.

David J. Chmiel - London, UK:  I had the distinct pleasure of having Dr. Beach as my public speaking teacher and coach at St. Michaels University School in Grades 7 through 9.  I will always remember a soft spoken, gentle and very caring man who always made himself available to those he was coaching to take part in various public speaking competitions in Victoria - to some success, I must add!  I frequently speak in public as part of my current career and I attribute the ease with which I am able to do that to the excellent coaching and guidance which Dr. Beach provided all those years ago. I lost contact with Dr. Beach after my Grade 9 year and I saw the sad news of his passing while reading the "Times Colonist" online.  I send my most sincere condolences to Dr. Beach's family and trust that you will be comforted in your loss with memories of this very charming and dignified man.  With my deepest condolences, David J.E. Chmiel

Frank and Gerri Marcheluzzo - Victoria, BC:  We are very sorry to hear of Mr. Beach's passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.

Vera B.Stone - Sending condolences to my former pupils Douglas and David Beach on the death of their Dad.  As well as being pupils they were neighbours of mine on Walnut St.  I still live there men!!  Your Dad was a fine man!!

Janet Wright Gordon - Hall's Harbour, NS:  I studied at Dalhousie under Dr. Beach at a time when the department was still extremely small and have many happy memories from that time. My condolences on the loss of a fine person; the fact that he had a long and successful career and a loving, close family helps in acceptance.

Ross & Lois Perry - Sidney, BC.: A wonderful neighbor during the 1970s in Victoria. A colourfull life has come  to a end.

Doug Beach - Victoria, BC: I miss you dad

Pat & Wayne Johnston - Calgary, AB: We were very sorry to hear of Horace's passing. He was a grand storyteller and an inspiration to all who knew him. He touched so many lives in ways he was not even aware of. Our condolences to the Beach family.

Ruth & Osborne Dool - Bishops Mills, ON: Our deepest sympathy to the Beach family on your loss. Horace was a special cousin who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Wendy Woodley - Courtenay, BC: I worked with Ace as Secretary from his arrival in 1972 at the Counseling Services, University of Victoria to his retirement in 1984.  We did not always see eye to eye, but he was a fair, caring person.  I look back fondly to my days at the University, and Ace was certainly a big part. My sincere condolences to his family.

David Beach (son) - Victoria, BC:  My Dad was a man who taught his children with values and responsibility. He made himself available when we needed him, and we were there for Dad as well. He will be surely missed

Joan Gilroy - Halifax, NS: I knew Dr. Horace Beach when he worked at Dalhousie University, during which time he taught research methods in the graduate program at Dalhousie's School of Social Work (then the Maritime School of Social Work). I was a faculty member at the School at that time and  remember his interest in the students learning and the support he gave in their various research endeavors. My condolences to Dr. Beach's children, grandchildren and his whole family and friends.

Daphne and Les Dominy - Renfrew, ON: We knew "Ace", Maxie and children when we lived on Walnut Street, Halifax (1969-1973). Gwen and our daughter Denise attended the Halifax Ladies College and "Ace" and I would take turns walking them to school and picking them up. David and Doug used to bay sit our girls. Gwen and Louise used to play at our house, and the door of Beach house was always open to all the children who lived in the neighborhood.  "Ace" and Maxie were loving parents and a fine example to us all. Our condolences to all of you, your dad will be missed by many but never forgotten. Daphne, Les, Denise and Leslie Ann (Kirijian) Dominy

Joe Parsons - Victoria, BC: I had the pleasure of working Ace from 1980 until the time he retired from the University of Victoria. He was my mentor, friend of the family, and a strong supporter of students. My sincere condolences go out to Ace's family and all the people he touched in his wonderful life.

Tanis Swallow - Moose Jaw, SK:  I had the pleasure of working with Ace on his memoires while he lived at the Bentley here in Moose Jaw.  He lived an amazing life, full of great accomplishments, of which I am sure his children are very proud.  He was a wonderfully kind man, who touched the lives of everyone he met, even my children, who were saddened at his passing.  My sincerest condolences to my friend, his sister, Pauline and the rest of the Beach family.

David Tiller - Truro, NS: Having attended school with Dave and Doug I have fond memories of visiting the Beach home on Preston and later Walnut Streets and of both their parents Dr. and Mrs. Beach. Please accept my condolences on your dad's passing.

Frank & Dianne Schroeder - Victoria, BC: Our sincere sympathies to Ace's family.  We both remember him fondly but most of all Frank who worked at U.Vic ,with Canada Manpower, while working along with Ace . A lovely person whom we will always remember!

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