Chester Lawson

Chester was a loving and devoted family man and cherished friend. Surrounded by close family, he passed away on May 16, 2026 at the U.B.C. Hospital after a lingering illness. He was born into the Heiltsuk Nation at Bella Bella, BC on January 4, 1939. After losing his mother at an early age, he was raised by Ester and Jimmy Lawson and his grandparents Hoffman and Rhoda Harris. His early childhood with them was spent out on the land and on the water. He loved being out in the dugout canoe carved by Grandpa Hoffman.

He is survived by siblings: Eddie, Chris, George (Marion), Jeff (Theresa), Scott (Bonnie), Rod, Lisa (Frank) and Pauli (Arnold); his children - Cheryl, Kim, Gerry (Karen); and grandchildren: from Glenna & Ian Singleton - Michael (Christy), Jason (Melanie); from Cheryl & Leslie Burdick - Bryan (Diana), Steven, Saskia (Miles); adopted by Kim - Shannon Johnny; and great-grandchildren: from Jason and Adina - Evan; from Jason and Melanie - Ashleigh, Gracie, Jonah, Carlyle and Killian; from Michael and Christy: - Lilliana, Kylani, Cash; from Shannon and Andrew Edwards - Brandon; from Shannon and Sherman Smith - Jo, Anne-Violet; and from Saskia and Miles - Feliks.

He was predeceased by his beautiful wife Deanna (nee Whittome) who he fell in love with when she was nursing in his hometown. Together they adopted Glenna (born to Peter and Christine White) who predeceased him. He is also predeceased by many beloved siblings and cousins.

Chester’s life was a reflection of his positive nature, joyful spirit and dedication to the wellbeing of others. He was generous, kind and supportive—qualities that strengthened not only his immediate family but also many who he taught and counselled throughout his long teaching career which began in 1974. He loved all sports, competing in basketball, soccer and track. He coached in these fields. While still a student, he formed and coached the first soccer team at the Port Alberni residential school. He used to say that he taught all grades, and all classes except Math and Home Ec. (Although he did teach how to bbq and can salmon). He was proud to teach at the Heiltsuk College. He was a hereditary chief through his Heiltsuk roots and participated in all cultural practices including carving, drawing and painting, and enthusiastically explored creating Heiltsuk art in digital forms. He was proud of his academic achievements, and got his degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan when few Indigenous people attended university. He grieved the loss of our languages, and found great joy in language revitalization work and the Urban Heiltsuk language classes. He lived on the Musqueam Nation and was equally at home in the urban world with a wide circle of colleagues, friends and extended family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 E Hastings St, Vancouver on May 29 at 6 p.m. This will be followed by another Celebration of Life at Bella Bella, where his remains will be returned home and interned beside that of loving wife.