In Memoriam: WCFC Co-Founder Rick Grange
October 29, 2018 | 15405 ViewsPresident’s Message from Brian Legge
Dear Friends,
With our 30th anniversary season now behind us, we wish to thank all who visited our lodges in 2018. We sincerely hope that your experience lived up to expectations and that you made some lasting memories with friends and family members. I also wish to express gratitude to the lodge staff and guides for over 100 consecutive days of best-in-class service in every aspect of our operations. Our lodges are much more than a collection of buildings, marinas and boats. More importantly, they are collectives of people who embrace a culture of extraordinary service. In this regard, we were extremely fortunate to have had so many skilled and dedicated staff members once again this past season.
RICK GRANGE (1944 – 2018)
It is with profound sadness, however, that I must acknowledge the passing of my business partner and WCFC co-founder, Rick Grange, on October 10 after a short battle with cancer. Just over 30 years ago, Rick ventured for the first time to Haida Gwaii where he immediately discovered salmon in greater numbers and size than anywhere else on the entire Pacific coast. With that as a foundation, we created The West Coast Fishing Club as a place where people from throughout the world could safely experience the exhilaration of salmon fishing by day and relax in an atmosphere of refined service and comfort by night. But beyond our shared vision for elevated standards of service within the sport-fishing industry, we also committed to putting more fish back into the ocean than we took out. It was a commitment that Rick pursued with trademark grit and determination.
His interest in The West Coast Fishing Club will now be transferred to his son Brian, who has been directly involved in The Club’s growth and evolution for many years. Brian and I have agreed that we will waste no time, nor spare any effort to ensure that Rick’s legacy takes the form of an informed and comprehensive strategy to continue the work that he began many years ago when he joined forces with business and community leaders to address various threats to the sustainability of fish stocks.
More specifically, our focus will be upon continuing the leadership role he played to replace an aging and obsolete hatchery on the Yakoun River with a new and larger facility that has the capacity to incubate one million chinook salmon eggs annually. In addition, we will enhance the viability of fry released from the hatchery through ongoing restoration work in areas of the river where habitat degradation has occurred. We have already entered discussions with industry and community partners and representatives of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to establish a board of directors, formalize fundraising activities and design an effective strategy to complete what will be the most comprehensive fisheries conservation project ever undertaken in the north coast region.
We will draw energy for our efforts from the knowledge that during his final days, Rick expressed his very strong wishes that we adhere to the founding principles of The West Coast Fishing Club, with greater emphasis than ever before upon the protection and preservation of salmon stocks. Although we may never equal the passion for which Rick was renowned in all his pursuits, we will not waiver in our efforts to create a legacy that reflects his convictions.
At the same time, Brian and I will also work together to maintain the high standards of service and the preservation of the unique guest experiences for which The Club has long been famous. We look forward to welcoming you back to Haida Gwaii for many years to come. Rick would have too. Of that we can be certain.
In the meantime, I wish to express sincere gratitude to the many who have sent heartfelt condolences to Rick’s family, and to invite one and all to join us in celebrating his life from 4:00-7:30 pm on Saturday, November 17 at the Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond, British Columbia.
Sincerely,
Brian Legge
So sorry to read this, yes much after the fact I was glad to stumble onto this post for some reason i have lost contact with the lodge updates. Rick arranged for a group of 12 of us that I was hosting for store staff incentive trip in the ski business the weekend before 9/11. It was awesome and some day I will get back there. Rick did a fantastic job and you could see his passion for conservation and presevation everywhere
A true rod model
I just found out that Rick passed away today. I was so sorry to hear that. I first met Rick at the Rivers Inlet Sportsman Club . Robert Bosa And I we’re the first group to go to the West Coast Fishing Club. We made many trips there and to North Island Lodge. I remember one time our group lost our fish between the lodge and Vancouver so I called Rick and he came over and filled our freezer to the top with fish. Rick was First Class. Rest In Peace.
Just learned of Rick Grange’s passing (25 AUG 2020). My condolences to family and friends. As a former employee of Intercon Security, both Rick Grange and Brian Legge have had a profound impact on my life.
On behalf of Gudangaay Tlaats’gaa Naay Secondary (formerly GM Dawson) we would like to send our deepest condolences to all Rick’s family & friends on Haida Gwaii to the many corners of the world he touched. Many thanks for the years of personal assistance Rick provided to our students travelling on their many school adventures and with our annual Local Bursary Program.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with you Jody, Brian and Brian in the loss of your husband, father and friend. In all of the crazy dealings in Panama/Punta Coco, Rick somehow managed to have a laugh at the predictably unpredictable events (boats sinking, roads not quite finished, etc etc) that confronted him. We are all richer for having known him.
Keith Alpaugh and the other Punta Coco property owners!
On behalf of all our friends and guests that travelled each year to the Clubhouse with the “The Peterbilt Gang”, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Rick’s family and closest friends. Rick was always a gracious host and a true adventurere! God Bless!
We were the very first guest at the Club house. Rick was promoting the new lodge as we were getting off of the plane from Langara, I booked us and we became friends. Rick flew me to the Outpost a few years later, I meant Lisa and booked trips there also. We will miss Rick…God’s speed and tight lines.
Rick and I and family enjoyed so much with Rick over the 30 years of having fun knowing him , fishing, camping, a few cocktails, dreaming, planning and sharing the best of times in Haida Gwaii…on behalf of Dana, Jacob and Mackinley Bourne and all from Langara Fishing adventures ,we will miss him greatly! Cheers Rick! Tight lines! Love Rick Bourne.
Thank you, Bourne family & Langara. He will certainly be missed by many.
Sincerely,
The West Coast Fishing Club
Many many years ago .. bck in the day Rick and I had grea tie4ms cooking a the farm, driving in his new baby blue and white Corvette and talking lots about lots. Rick was my friend . I am a better person for knowing him.
See you on the other side.
Rick..
hugs and love to all who knew him !
Rest well chum !!
On behalf of the directors and volunteers of the Sandspit Salmon Enhancement Society here on Haida Gwaii we thank Mr Grange for his contribution towards salmon enhancement efforts
As a former employee of Intercon Security and The West Coast Fishing Club I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Rick’s passing. I remember when Rick told me that doing work for WCFC wasn’t going to take up much of my time and it would not be a big company. Not so true!! Deepest condolences.
I don’t have words to describe the impact Mr Rick Grange had on my life. I am lucky to be able to attend the celebration of his life even though our interaction was not as significant as family and friends. It is important to embrace those that make a difference in our lives. RIP W-2
My husband died last year but mentioned Rick many times over the years, while he worked on Haida Gwaii, Im sure there are all fishing in the sky and sitting by a big bon fire. Very sorry to hear Rick is gone.
It is with great shock and sadness in hearing of the passing of Rick. This past summer my wife wanted to tour Haida Gwaii , while in Masset we ran into Rick and Jody and they invited us to dinner and a get together at their home at Tow Hill Rick and I spent time reminiscing of the times we spent in the early days of the clubhouse and what a wonderful evening it was .my condolences to the family and will always cherish the fun times spent at West Coast Fishing Club
When I started my career as a fishing guide at the Outpost Lodge I had the opportunity to meet Ric over the three years I worked for West Coast Fishing Club. He did so much for the sport fishing industry and I admired him for pursuing his passion. Thanks Rick
Condolences to Jody & Brian and the rest of the family. Rick & Jody were good friends with my Late father Robin Brown for a number of years. I’m sure they were happy to see each other in their new resort in land beyond. Good fishing to all
My husband Brian and I have been very close to Rick & Jody for many years now…Rick will be forever loved and dearly missed….Rick was a huge member of our community. Condolences to the the family.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jody and the family. I got to know Rick when I worked for North Pacific Seaplanes in Masset. I’m so sorry
Hi Maxine,
Thank you for your thoughts at this time.
The West Coast Fishing Club
Rest easy Mr. Grange. You will be missed on Haida Gwaii❤️
Thank you for the message, Kildagwayaa.
Sincerely,
The West Coast Fishing Club
My sincere condolences Jody and Rick’s family. Through the many years I knew Rick on Haida Gwaii he was always friendly, approachable and down to earth. He was always a strong advocate of local buying and hiring. Condolences to you also Brian as I know how close you two were.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for taking the time to share your memories of Rick. We will pass along the message to the Grange family.
The West Coast Fishing Club