Aubrey Vance's Obituary
Aubrey W. Vance, age 86, passed away May 16, 2017 in Collierville TN. An extraordinary man who always put family first and generously shared his eternal optimism and quick wit with many, he was the beloved husband of Jean for almost 59 years; loving father of Helen Cagna (David), Rosemary Kleiser (Mike), and Carol Vance; adored grandfather of Elizabeth Kleiser, Eric Kleiser, Scott Kleiser, Alexandra Motarjeme, Michael Motarjeme, Caitlin Cagna and Dani Cagna; and cherished brother of Pearl Vance. Aubrey was born December 30, 1930 in Bainbridge, Northern Ireland. Always adventurous, he pursued a career in photography and travel, opening a professional photo studio and expanding his business via AdVance travel agency soon thereafter. Aubrey and Jean emigrated to America in 1965 with their three young daughters. Launching his career in the States producing numerous documentaries with ETV in SC, he often found himself hanging out of helicopters, underwater with sharks on the coral reefs of Grand Cayman Islands, capturing images of Prague on the six month anniversary of Russian invasion, behind the Iron Curtain before its fall, onsite for an Apollo launch, and creating a series on science and art with Smithsonian, to name a few. Expanding his keen eye and innovative skills to the medical arena, Aubrey devoted over three decades producing cutting edge projects at the Medical University of SC as Director of Cinematography and Associate Director of Educational Services before retiring in 1995, winning multiple awards for educational films focused on advances in invasive cardiology, neurosurgery, burn treatment, dentistry and more. Shortly after retiring, Aubrey and Jean moved from Charleston SC to Naperville IL, allowing them to be an integral part of the lives of their expanding roster of grandchildren. Retiring also allowed Aubrey to devote more time to his love of the links. In various positions at White Eagle and Cress Creek country clubs in IL, Aubrey touched the lives of many, sharing his insight, humor and passion for the game of golf with many. He was still shooting under his age beyond 85. Aubrey and Jean recently moved to Collierville TN, close to their youngest daughter and her family. Aubrey had a rare gift of generously sharing his easy smile, brilliant wit and endless optimism with those he unconditionally loved, as well as anyone he met. His legacy of fully living and celebrating each moment of life will live on. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 20 from 1 – 4 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville IL, with service beginning at 4 PM. A celebration of his life follows at Cress Creek Country Club, Royal St George Drive, Naperville, IL.Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, 901-767-8930……”Celebrating Life Behind The Stone Wall”………. All other service arrangements will be handled by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home in Naperville, IL.
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