In Memoriam: Christopher (Chris) Michael Stask

Christopher (Chris) Michael Stask, passed suddenly on February 3, 2026.

Chris and I (partner and Admiral Jacquie Kidd) became members of the Bluewater Cruising Association (BCA) in 1991. Over all these years Chris was actively involved in the club, and filled many roles. While with the Vancouver Chapter, he held the Watchkeeper roles of Port Captain, and Clubroom, was Boat Show Lead, and helped with the Pig Roast.  Since moving to  Vancouver Island he took on Education, Rendezvous, and eventually became the Bosun until 2026.

Chris received the Ted Long Award in 2011 for service from 1991 to 2007 and was made a Lifetime Member [Editors note: Jacquie received that award at the same time].

The Mistress, Inceptus, is a Seabird 37, kept in North Saanich Marina, and was our home in Sidney until 2007.

Chris was born in Winnipeg, and eventually moved to B.C. with his parents and younger brother, Dan. Chris loved the ocean and earned his SCUBA certification in high school. This eventually led to a career in commercial diving, which included underwater welding. Later he became a Red Seal welder / millwright. The impressive stainless work on Inceptus is a testament to his amazing talents.

Although Chris always dreamed of having a boat and being on the ocean, work took the family to Fraser Lake for a while. They eventually returned to Maple Ridge where Chris bought a small boat for family fun on the water.

While he was working in Vancouver as a welder/ millwright, at some point he bought a fast 26’ Commander. Chris was on the sea again. The kids (Christopher R, Michael, and Crystal) would go out with him some weekends.

After moving to Burnaby, Chris was having a pint and dinner in a Deep Cove pub with a co-worker, who mentioned that a lady diver had just moved into the neighbourhood and was staying with a woman that he knew. By chance, the lady diver (recently certified), me, and my friend showed up at the pub for a bite and a pint. Introductions were made and the next day we were invited to go out on his boat. The rest is history.

Chris and I spent a couple of years speeding around with diving buddies, exploring coastal dive sites on the Salish Sea. One of these friends was a member of the Bluewater Cruising Association, Larry Theriault, who had a Seabird 37 (Alkaid). At our first BCA meeting, after we bought Inceptus, Larry had to announce to everyone that we have a Seabird! Chris was not impressed that some sailors believed Seabirds were not offshore capable. Inceptus had proved that wrong when she did the Vic Maui with the former owner. Other Seabird friends took Tillicum all over the South Pacific. Chris spent the rest of his life, literally, making Inceptus the best Seabird on the Coast.

I was wondering what word would describe Chris’s approach to life, and his participation in BCA activities. It is enthusiasm. He enjoyed his Watchkeeper positions in Vancouver. He loved activities like the fancy knotting he learned from his mentor, David Fukuhara. He gave many members his fancy knotted key fob and taught various knotting courses.

Left: Chris, holding a mug with one of his knotty creations; Right: a caricature of Chris done by Jacquie

An unfortunate accident at work forced Chris to leave his job and delay any cruising plans indefinitely. It was a blessing disguise. While he was working on the rehabilitation of his hand, an opportunity came up for him to retrain. I convinced him to take a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma. He aced it.

We moved our home to Marina Park Marina in Sidney. Chris got some teaching contracts at sawmills, then a night class gig at Camosun College, which led to his full-time teaching position at the Interurban Campus. His enthusiasm won the respect of all his students. He went way beyond the standard classroom presentations, with hours of his time put into demos and videos….and a splash of entertainment. His students loved him. He started the Women in the Trades welding courses. There was a big, emotional, send off for him when he retired in 2024.

While Chris was successful at many things, it is important to note that his love for, and pride in, his 3 children and 4 grandsons went well beyond his pride in his own accomplishments with Inceptus and his teaching career.

Over the last year he started on three new boat projects at once… a little too much enthusiasm. He was diagnosed in 2025 with mesothelioma, a rare and terminal cancer on the outer layer of his lung. It is associated with asbestos exposure. With all the doctors here, in Toronto, and the Cancer Clinic in Victoria, anxious to help extend his life, he continued to work on Inceptus. No one anticipated that an undetected, nasty, big clot would suddenly stop his heart and life.

No formal memorial is forthcoming, but a small ash scattering, and rum toast, will happen at some Rendezvous this year, perhaps May or Thanksgiving when his family and friends can attend.

No Viking funeral, Chris! We are not setting Inceptus adrift in flames!!

Chris and Jacquie on Inceptus