Tucked between St. John the Baptist Heritage Church and Hatley Memorial Gardens is a piece of land steeped in Colwood history, dating back over 100 years B次元官网网址� but most people have no idea it is there.

B次元官网网址淰ery few people, who have been here a long time, even know that it exists,B次元官网网址� says Ron Aubrey, a man on a mission.

That mission is to raise awareness of the Colwood Pioneer Cemetery.

Established in the 1890s on land donated by Alfred Thomas Peatt, the cemetery is the resting place for some of Colwood's founding families, including Peatt, Kelly, Wishart, Wale, Ridley and Pike. All names recognizable from street signs around the West Shore.

AubreyB次元官网网址檚 wife Linda has strong ties to the burial site too B次元官网网址� her grandparents Bert and Agnes Parker, and her great grandparents Robert and Mary Murray are buried in the pioneer cemetery.

B次元官网网址淪he homesteaded Colwood in 1918,B次元官网网址� says Aubrey about his wifeB次元官网网址檚 great-grandmother, who he likes to call B次元官网网址楴anna MaryB次元官网网址�. B次元官网网址淪he had 100 acres of Royal Bay.B次元官网网址�

Before ownership of the site was turned over to the City of Colwood in 1993, the cemetery was maintained by the Colwood WomenB次元官网网址檚 Institute since 1925.

Wife LindaB次元官网网址檚 mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were all members of the womenB次元官网网址檚 institute, explains Aubrey, who says they all played their part in helping maintain the site.

Now he feels he is carrying on the tradition. B次元官网网址淭here's always been a family tie here,B次元官网网址� he says.

And Aubrey has been quick to make his mark, helping to erect two new cedar wood archways, plus new fencing, giving the once unassuming cemetery a more grand and respectful entrance.

Wood used for construction was logged and milled by Aubrey and a small team of volunteers, while the archways were designed by Ray Miller, his neighbour and former principal of Belmont High.

He says the group has been careful to create a design fitting for a historical site, but also one that will last for years to come.

Prior to their construction, it was hard to identify the site as being a cemetery for ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 founding families, says Aubrey, who has more ideas up his sleeve for the site.

As well as restoring more of the fencing, he wants more signage in the area to raise awareness of the cemeteryB次元官网网址檚 historical importance for the city.

An information board with a map of the site, identifying where people are buried, plus details of the cemeteryB次元官网网址檚 history, is also on AubreyB次元官网网址檚 list of ideas to attract more visitors.

B次元官网网址淪o when people come in, they can see the history,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭hey can hopefully find where a person's buried B次元官网网址� it could be their family member B次元官网网址� or it could just be people visiting.B次元官网网址�

With more attention given to the cemetery, Aubrey hopes it will inspire others in the community to give their time to help preserve the site.

B次元官网网址淭his should be a place for the community to respect our past and look to our future,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so much character here B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 an awesome place.B次元官网网址�

His work at the cemetery is not the first time Aubrey has volunteered his time for the good of the community B次元官网网址� he was a volunteer firefighter for Colwood Fire Department for 20 years. He is also a current member of the District of Metchosin's Parks and Trails Committee.

But the 77-year-old, who still runs his own street sweeping business, doesnB次元官网网址檛 do it for attention or praise. Aubrey says it boils down to his philosophy on life.

B次元官网网址淚'm only here for a short period of time,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚f I can help one person in my life, it's been worthwhile being here.B次元官网网址�

In return, all he asks is for people to "pass it on."

B次元官网网址淚f everybody did that, itB次元官网网址檇 sure be a nice world.B次元官网网址�