The lights at Lumberworld on Quadra Street in Saanich will go dark at noon on Saturday to allow staff of the building-supply business to attend the funeral of its managing director, Dave Flaig.
Flaig died Aug. 28. He was 77.
A chartered accountant, Flaig had a varied career. He spent a short stint with accounting firm Creed & Co., before joining Park Pacific Developments, a partnership that was involved in several business ventures.
Flaig also managed a number of land development projects and businesses, including Lumberworld, which he and the late Clive Piercy had owned since 1975.
Lumberworld, at 3955 Quadra St., was the site of the most costly fire in Saanich history in 2006 when an arsonist torched the company鈥檚 main building during the early morning hours, causing more than $7 million in damage. No one has ever been charged with the arson.
The community rallied behind the company with some contractors helping to establish temporary buildings for the business and a rival business helped to fill orders. That rallying was payback for Flaig鈥檚 commitment to the community, as Lumberworld supported many causes, including the Compassion Resource Warehouse, which collects and ships donated goods and equipment to charities around the world.
The rebuild of Lumberworld on the three-acre site started in 2008.
David Frederick Flaig was born in Medicine Hat, Alta., and lived in both Lumby and Creston before making his way to Victoria.
He was predeceased by his wife, Sharona Marjorie Flaig, in 2007, and is survived by his children Susan, Jarrett, Aaron and Boyd.
All are welcome to a memorial and celebration of life on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens.
Lumberworld will re-open on Monday.
