A longtime Coquitlam resident who rubbed elbows with some of the world’s biggest music stars in the 1980s and ‘90s recently died.
Bobbi Style was 58.
Born in Exeter, England, Style lived his life to the fullest, his friends said.
He toured as a musician, but later became a record producer, working with artists in a variety of genres from punk and goth rock to drum ’n bass.
In 1995, Style immigrated to Canada and moved to Burns Lake, where he and some colleagues started a technology company to bring the internet to remote communities.
In the Lower Mainland, Style spent time with the Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS) to help musicians with disabilities.
Fuji Mooney told the Tri-City News that Style, who was born with cerebral palsy and died from stroke-related complications, “always had a quick wit and a very dry British sense of humour.
“He was extraordinarily intelligent and perceptive, and did his best to cheer those around him. Also, his mixes were legendary.”
And before he died, Style finished an album called Midnight, which can be heard via bobbistyle.bandcamp.com.
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart said Style was both a music and disability champion.
“A few years ago, Bobbi showed his drive to overcome the limitations of his disability when he and his band gave us a quick rock concert in city council chambers,” Stewart said.
“Bobbi introduced me to his favourite local coffee shop, demonstrated for me an off-road electric wheelchair, showed me his in-home recording studio and when I presented him a ‘guitar’ tie, he pretended to like it (I suspect he never wore it.)
"An enthusiastic and optimistic gentleman with an infectious zeal for life, [Bobbi was] one who chose to not be defined by his disability. So sorry that he has left us.”
Style is survived by a son, Tempest.
A memorial will be held at St. Clare of Assisi (2888 Delahaye Dr., Coquitlam, at 10 a.m. on Feb. 24. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation in Bobbi Style’s name to VAMS (vams.org) or St. Timothy’s Anglican Church (st-timothy.com).
