Tribute

Tim was born in Saskatoon to his mother Willma Popham and father Charles (Pete) O’Connor, and moved with his family to Victoria when he was seven years old. Tim went to Oak Bay High School and graduated from Vic High.

He moved to Hawaii at age 18 where he worked in his cousin’s restaurant for two years. At age 21 he went to UCLA to get a degree in Television Arts and Science. He then returned to Victoria to work for Rogers Communications.

Tim went to Toronto in 1984 to pursue a career in television. His first job was with the Canadian Home Shopping Club, and he then worked at YTV and launched the popular YTV Rocks show. Moving to CTV, he became the day-of technical producer of Canada AM.

Toronto is also where Tim met his husband John Dolman in 1989. Five years later they moved to the West Coast to be closer to Tim’s mom after his father died. They chose to live on Salt Spring Island, while commuting to work for CTV in Vancouver four to six times a month.

In 1996, they established Island Star Video in Ganges, which became an important community hub. They created the same kind of place at TJ Beans when they opened the coffee shop in 2006. Tim and John were married in 2005.

Tim’s love of his community shone in his support for Island Star Video Oscar night parties, Movies in the Park, Remembrance Day, Pride events, Canada Day celebrations (including fundraising for Canada Day fireworks and the beach ball toss tradition), youth baseball and many other causes, people and activities.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Copper Kettle Community Partnership or Salt Spring Island Food Bank in Tim’s name.