Remembrances - ære være hans minde - Torben (Toby) Kristoffersen

Torben (Toby) Kristoffersen
November 24, 1931 - December 5, 2018

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Toby Kristoffersen. Toby is survived by his lifelong best friend and wife of 66 years Grethe, and sons: Ken (Nancy), Gord (Leila) and daughter Kim (Chris), grandchildren: Keyra, Kirk, Dana, Kyle and Kirsten, as well as seven great grandchildren in Vancouver and California, and brother's in-law; Hank, and Ole (Barb). He was predeceased by his younger brother Finn in Denmark ten years ago. Toby led a complete and full life with Grethe. Born in Denmark, he immigrated to Canada in 1951 with his in-laws to-be(Nielsen's) and settled in Nanaimo. Working briefly on the  old Black Ball Ferry run to Vancouver, as well as other jobs, Toby eventually started a small business which evolved into Kristoffersen's European Delicatessen, a Terminal Park icon for 27 years.

For 55 years Toby was an active member of the Nanaimo Yacht Club, and loved sailing, including a trip to Alaska and circumnavigating Vancouver Island, as well as a sailing trip from California to Hawaii with friends. Every 5 years or so Toby and Grethe would make a pilgrimage back to Denmark to see friends and relatives, as well as travels to the UK, France, Russia and Samoa and a sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands and St. Thomas.

Retiring at the age of 55, Toby and Grethe spent summers in Nanaimo, sailing the strait on the ketch Nijoni Ato, exploring the island meeting new people and connecting with old friends, followed by winters in Mexico in their converted bus, SunSeeker. Over the years they circumnavigated Mexico twice, as well as driving coast to coast across Canada and the US. Toby and Gerethe, always an inseparable duo met and partied with friends and family across the world. Welcomed by all, and free with their own hospitality everywhere they traveled. Toby will be sorely missed by friends and family alike.

It was Toby's wish that there be no formal memorial service. Thanks