VAN, ROBERT ROY

July 28, 1926 ~ March 17, 2016

It is with great sorrow that we share the sudden passing of Robert "Roy" Van of Westbank, B.C. on March 17, 2016.

Roy leaves behind his son Bob Van (Bev) of Nanaimo, daughter Lori Van (Dave Swiderski) of West Kelowna, grandchildren: Roy Van (Vanessa), Rob Van (Danielle), Lyndsey Puhalsky, and Sheldon Puhalsky, great grandchildren: Alexandra Van, Seth Van, and Sean Van, one sister Betty Iwanchuck (Victor) of North Battleford Sask., his great friend and travel companion Janet Colban, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends including the residents and staff at The Village at Smith Creek. Roy was predeceased by his wife of 42 years Irene in 1996, both parents George and Louise, his sisters Rita Stewart, Dorothy Chariban, and most recently Hazel Fuller. 

Roy was born on the family farm near Borden Sask. July 28, 1926. Raised on a farm he learned the hard work ethic well. He came west to Penticton in 1947 at the age of 21, where he took a job in Kaleden at a fruit packing house to learn

refrigeration. He then worked road construction here in the Valley, then on the Fraser Canyon highway, before moving back into the fruit packing industry in 1958 where he worked first here in Westbank, and then Kelowna. Roy was part of the team that pioneered Controlled Atmosphere Storage.He retired in 1991 after many years as the Plant Manager at KGE #8 (now BC Fruit Packers) and finally as the Plant Engineer for their valley construction operations.

Roy was well known and respected in the Westbank community he chose as home. He spent 45 years of his life with the Westbank Lions, serving a term as club President, then 2 years as President of the Westbank Lions Seniors Housing Society's board of directors. More recently he also spent several years with the Ogopogo chapter of the 

Good Sams RV club traveling to many different destinations each year. 

Next to his family, Roy's great passion for fishing, camping, travel, woodworking, playing cards, cooking, and watching the Brier Cup were obvious to anyone that knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Westbank Lions Community Hall on Friday, March 25th at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Westbank Lions, c/o Westbank Community Hall, 2-2466 Main St., West Kelowna, B.C., V4T 1Z1.

Condolences may be sent to the family

by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com

250-860-7077.