It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Maria (Ria) Theodora Elisabeth Ruygrok (nee van Haaster).

Born on October 21st, 1929 in Naaldwijk, Netherlands Deceased on December 23rd, 2017 in Kamloops, BC

Maria is survived by her loving husband John Ruygrok, her devoted sons Randy (Lorelee) & Jeff (Lucie) and her beautiful grandson Rio.

She also leaves to mourn, her sisters; Leny van Rijn, Beppy (Bert) Schellekens, Joke (Donald) Lambert, Ellie (Peter) Peters and brother; Aad (Wil) van Haaster, sister-in-law’s; Gerrie van Haaster & Toos van Haaster plus many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Maria was predeceased by her father and mother; Adrianus & Johanna van Haaster her brothers; Kees, Theo and Koos as well as sister Allegonda van Zon.

Ria & John arrived in Canada in the spring of 1952 where their first home was in Cheamview, BC. From there they moved on to Ashcroft in November of 1952 and finally to Kamloops in the fall of 1953 where they have resided ever since.

Ria started a water company when she was 65 years young and she worked there with her son Jeff until she retired.

She and John enjoyed travelling to Holland to visit family and to many other places in the world. She spent many weekends travelling by trailer; relaxing with family and friends at the cabin on Shuswap Lake. It was also a great joy for them when family members from Holland came to visit Canada.

Her biggest joy was her family, especially the newest member grandson Rio.

Ria was a very strong woman. She overcame colon cancer (twice), a broken hip (twice), and she was on dialysis for the past few years. During all of this she kept a smile on her face and just kept on going.

We would like to thank her family doctor, Dr. Montalbetti as well as all of the caring people and Nephrologist Doctors of the dialysis unit at Royal Inland Hospital and the Northshore unit. They always made her visits as pleasant as possible. We would also like to thank the caring nurses of 6 south and 3 west at Royal Inland Hospital.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday January 6th, 2018 at the Holy Family Parish 2797 Sunset Drive, Kamloops, BC. with Father Fred Weisbeck Celebrant.Read More & Leave Condolences »

We are sad to announce the passing of Rudy Desrochers of Kamloops BC at the Royal Inland hospital on December 21, 2017 with his loving family by his side.

Rudy, aged 89, was predeceased by his parents Fred and Evelyn Derochers, sister Viola and eldest son Richard.

Rudy will be greatly missed by his wife of 65 years; Julie and his surviving children and their spouses; Patsi  Desrochers (Norm Morin), Gerald Desrochers (Brenda ), Paul Desrochers (Tammy) Lorraine Farrell (Ken), and Carol Morgan (Rob).

As well as his children, the many grand and great grandchildren who loved him dearly and really enjoyed spending time with him. Rudy was always available with a helping hand not only to his family but the community as well where he volunteered his time with local churches the White Cane Society and the Knights of Columbus.Read More & Leave Condolences »

Hilda Maclean (Callewaert) was born in Ste. Amelie Manitoba, on February 5, 1925 and passed away December 16, 2017 at the age of 92.

Hilda was an awesome homemaker, who loved her family, cooking and being creative at her sewing machine, and maintained a large garden up to her 90^th birthday.  She opened her doors to family & friends who came to visit and those who boarded while attending school.  She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League and a devoted member of her church helping to build the church, school and parish center.  She was always ready and willing to help with various fundraisers and providing meals for the workers.She leaves to mourn her family her daughters: Doreen (Bil) Gowans and their children Tami (Todd) Colclough; Shane (Melanie) Gowans and Carol-Anne McQuarrie (Jim deceased) and their children Trish (Pete) Rackow; and Jim McQuarrie (Kathy Johnson).         Great Grandchildren:, GianLuca, Matteo, & Siena Stampacchia, Bryce & Marissa Colclough, Shania, Addison & Jonah Gowans, Devon, Josh & Ryan Rackow and Carissa & Desiree McQuarrie.Also left to remember her are her sisters Mary Schmidt, & Doris Bowman and brother Robert Callewaert.Hilda was predeceased by her parents Cecelia and Leon Callewaert, her husband Willard Maclean, her brothers Joe (Peggy), George (Lill), Frank (Mary Anne), Bill (Nairn), Ray and Pat Callewaert, her sister Leona and Eric Tyers, brother-in-law Ted Schmidt, son-in-law Jim McQuarrie and nephew Gord Tyers.A big thank you to Hilda’s doctor, Dr. Jim Howie.  When she was no longer able to care for herself she moved to Ridgeview Lodge Baltic One, where she received outstanding care from Jennifer and her care team.  Also a thank you to the nursing staff on four north.Read More & Leave Condolences »

Ted passed away peacefully on December 13, 2017 at Overlander Care Hospice. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years Kazuyo, his two children Jamie (Jennifer) and Deane (Angela) and his three grandchildren Nicole, Cameron, and Devin.
Born in Vernon BC, his family returned to Japan prior to the war where he spent most of his childhood before returning to BC as a teenager where he began the task of establishing himself.  In 1953 he returned  to Japan to bring his younger sister Cay, back with him to Kamloops.
10 years later he once again returned to Japan where he met his wife and brought her back to Kamloops as well.
Ted held several jobs before being employed by the Sakaki family  at North Kamloops Motors where he held several positions until he retired from there after 39 years.
Seeing a need to serve the local Japanese community he, along with family friend Chizuko Tanaka, established Fujiya Foods which they operated for almost 20 years.Read More & Leave Condolences »

It is with profound sadness & heartbreak on November 28^th, Burk left us.  He was      born May 29, 1954 in Mission, BC, passed away in his home in Chase, BC surrounded by his loving family.  He fought a 15 month battle with pancreatic/liver cancer with strength & dignity.

Burk worked 36 years for Canadian Pacific Railway happily retiring in May, 2009, he was planning his retirement party for 12 years prior so it had to be a fun, happy occasion, with a live band, dance floor he built & 120 of his closest family & friends!  He loved his hot rod, his “beautiful wife”(his words), his children & grandchildren more than life itself.  He was a Mr. Fix-it, woodwork, cement work, jack of all trades kinda guy, always there to help anyone with anything, not wanting anything in return.  Burk had many, many friends still some close to him from his younger years of being a “wild child”.  He loved boating on the Shuswap, the many fun times for the past 9 yrs at the cabin with family & friends, working on the golf course with his buddy Rae, golfing, the many destination & motorhome travels we took, mudbogging,  & being able to finish & drive his hot rod. Many thanks to his special friends Dag & Kevin for making it happen this year.  Burk is survived by his soulmate & love of his life, wife Sharon, daughters’ Cyndi (Kim) Deck, Chestermere, Alta, Alana (Doug) Hill, Revelstoke, BC, sons’ Michael (Jennifer) Roblin, Claresholm, Alta. Shaun (Kelsey) Roblin, Richmond, BC & his precious grandchildren Hannah & Brooklyn Deck, Dawson & Lukas Hill, Quinton & Elizabeth Roblin, & our newest grandbaby Sawyer Joseph Roblin, his beloved sister Dee Keene (Glenn) Kamloops, Brother Rick (Claudette) Kelowna, many nieces & nephews whom he loved with all his heart. Burk was predeceased by his father & mother Gordon Thomas & Eunice Roblin.Read More & Leave Condolences »