Last week, the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation was grateful to receive the final installment of a bequest from the will of Jonathan Mason Hird, a longtime Gibsons resident.
Jon grew up in Australia, the youngest of three children. His parents were entrepreneurs in the hospitality and service sector and the family moved frequently, serving the needs of large crews in remote camps and small towns. Jon was exceptionally bright and became frustrated with all the moves, which led to him getting into some trouble. A family friend suggested that joining the Australian Royal Navy would challenge him and broaden his horizons. Jon completed a five-year apprenticeship, graduating as a Royal Navy Artificer, today more commonly known as an Engineering Technician. Jon understood that this was a life-changing event and he forever appreciated the opportunities that this experience provided him.
Jon soon moved to Vancouver, where he enjoyed exploring a variety of jobs, new interests, and friends. His love of music led him to the Vancouver Folk Festival. After noticing ways in which the experience could be much improved, Jon was engaged as a volunteer to design and implement these modifications. His commitment led to guidelines and standards that remain in place today.
In 1989, Jon purchased a lot in Gibsons and commuted from Vancouver over the next 2-3 years to work on the design and completion of his house. He was immensely proud of this accomplishment and enjoyed living near the ocean and the beauty of nature for the next 30 years. Over this time Jon volunteered with the food bank, the Legion, the Jazz Festival, and the Sea Cavalcade. Jon had a keen interest in maritime history and served on the Sunshine Coast Museum Board for several years. In 2018, Jon was recognized by the RCMP for a decade of volunteering with Speed Watch.
Jon became sick in the summer of 2017. Knowing that his time was short, he arranged in his will to gift the proceeds of the sale of his home to organizations that were important to him. The executor of Jon’s estate, Samantha McKillop, notes that “Jon was drawn to the values of the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation and he saw an opportunity to provide a gift that would be meaningful and sustainable on a local level.” The foundation is applying Jon’s generous bequest to the Community Legacy Fund, where it will help to generate funding for future grants to community organizations, and to the operations of the foundation.
Leaving a gift in your will can provide permanent funding to causes that you care about. For more information, please contact the foundation at 604-741-7360 or admin@sccfoundation.com.
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