Greater Victoria radio listeners and music lovers are mourning the loss of longtime radio host and music supporter Dylan Willows. “It is with immense sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of Dylan Willows. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and immediate family,” the family shared through his longtime employer The Zone. “Dylan’s final days were spent as any other, filled with laughter; love; music and the occasional tease.”
Willows was a radio broadcaster for 22 years, spending two decades on The Zone 91.3. At 25, he was diagnosed with uveal melanoma, a rare form of ocular cancer that eventually took his eye. Despite beating the cancer, it re-emerged last year.
The Zone announced his death June 6.
"He put up a hell of a fight against the cancer, after a lifetime of being an amazing radio host, local music crusader, and all around great human being," the radio station said on social media.
Willows, or “Big D” as many affectionately call him, was the director of The Zone’s Band of the Month program which promoted countless Victoria acts.
“To keep Dylan’s love and passion for music alive, support your local talent by taking your loved ones to see a local artist and a Band of the Month,” the family wrote. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Zone’s Toy Drive, Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock; or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association.
The family requests privacy at this time.
