Cyril was born to Charles and Bessie Holbrow in Clayburn Village and grew up there with his two brothers, three step brothers and one step sister.
He left the farm in 1940 to join the Allied Forces and arrived in the UK just prior to the D-Day Invasion. He landed on Juno beach with the Canadian Forces as a member of the Signal Corp.
After six years of Service he returned to Canada to find work at his brother`s sawmill in Port Alberni in 1946. A few years later he returned to Abbotsford and started working for the Clayburn Brick Plant.
While living on the family farm in Clayburn he met his future wife, Violet Allen. They were married in 1954 and resided at a small farm on the corner of Hwy 11 and McLure Road. Two children arrived, one in 1958 and 1960.
Having outgrown the house he moved his family to a much larger farm on Seldon Road. He built the new house himself and with help from family moved an old barn from the first property to be reassembled at the new place.
Cyril resided here until he passed away after just a short stay in hospice, three months shy of his 100th birthday.
Cyril was predeceased by his parents and all his siblings.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Vi, his son Doug (Kathryn), daughter June (Ben), grandchildren Chris (Irene), Kim (Mike), Kelly, Veronica (Tatton), Vanessa ( Daniel) and great-granddaughter Briella.
Cyril was the unofficial Mayor of Clayburn Village in his later years, offering guided tours of the Historic town and manning the Museum on a regular basis. He was an avid contributor to the Clayburn Historical Society.
There will be no funeral by request. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate, if you will, to the Christine Morrison Hospice at the Mission Hospital.
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