We Remember
WARD, Rodney
—
Rodney Patrick Francis Ward passed away on March 28, 2021, from glioblastoma at the age of 68. He is survived by his wife Linda; son Stuart and daughter Sarah (Chad); and granddaughters Asha and Ayva. He is also survived by his mother Rosemarie; sister Janis (Gary) and brother Wade. He was predeceased by his father, Frank, and in-laws, Mac and Dorrie McClure.
At an early age, Rod and his brother Wade worked with their father in the concrete swimming pool business, Four Seasons Pools. They also operated the first concrete pumper in the Valley. Rod was involved in the building of the Johnson Bentley Memorial Pool.
Rod and Linda moved to Westbank, BC from Kelowna, BC when Rod joined the Westbank Volunteer Fire Brigade (January 1981 to 1991) and ambulance service (January 1981 to May 31, 2013).
Rod had a huge capacity and desire to help others and volunteer where he could, in his community, through his church, our local school district and abroad. Rod started his travel adventures helping the people of Honduras after Hurricane Mitch in 1997. He was able to team up with Pan American Health Services and Paramedics For Children in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. Rod made numerous trips (mostly driving) to Central America with different teams to do medical work, mostly for the people living in the mountains. One year he organized the building of swings for the mountain children; when he returned the next year he had to replace all the bolts as the children had used the swings so much the bolts wore out. He helped with building a medical clinic in Copan. In 2005, he went with PFC to help in Indonesia after the tsunami.
The family would like to thank all of Rod’s friends for the phone calls and visits. He enjoyed visiting with all of you and helping him through this difficult time.
Thank you to Drs. Swart and Wickstrom and all the amazing staff at Hospice.
Due to Covid-19 there will be a celebration of life at a later date. Donations may be made to the Food Bank.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
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Food Bank Link: cofoodbank.com
Condolences
Wade and family – I’m so so sorry to hear of Rod’s passing. I was able to see him early in March, for which I will be eternally grateful. My heart goes out to all of you.
Carol
Dear Linda, Sarah and family, we were so sorry to hear about Rod. We will keep you in our thoughts. xo
Hello Linda and family,
I owe Rod a great debt of gratitude for the kindness he showed me back in the 1990s. His involvement at Camp Owaissi led to my being hired into the ambulance service and started what has been a great career. I remember getting to know him, learning from him, working with him, and enjoying the hospitality of your home. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing and will always carry fond memories.
Linda, Stuart, Sarah, Asha, Ava, Wade, and Mrs. Ward,
Words can’t express the loss you all may feel. I too am feeling your sadness. I have known Rod for over 46 years and he was like a big brother I never had.
Rod became a dear friend to our family after he built our pool in 1975. He would come every summer to look after our pool.
Over the years, Rod and I became very close friends. There was Never a time where Rod wouldn’t help me.
Once Rod married Linda, we continued to be friends. Linda became a good friend as well. They would always come to our family Christmas parties.
During one Christmas party, Rod and Linda gave me this hand crafted nativity scene. It was carved out of an egg shell and creatively painted. To this day, it is one of my most treasured Christmas ornaments.
When Stuart and Sarah were babies, Rod would bring them over in their car seats, place them on the pool deck, and continue to put chemicals in our pool and clean it.
When I was at Okanagan College, Rod would help me with my Old English essays.There was one he helped me with, William Blake’s Tiger Tiger Burning Bright. We worked on that essay till about 2 AM. We had forgotten to save it and,” Poof,” it got deleted. Rod was so amazing that we then started the essay all over. We finished it at about 5:30 AM and I handed it in at about 8 Am that same day.
When I went to UVic. and took Elementary Art, Rod would send samples of Stuart’s Art. The teacher was always amazed because Stuart’s 3 year old drawings were more advanced than any other three year old drawings. Rod was always very proud to talk about what Stuart and Sarah could do!
When I became a teacher in 1994, Rod was always there to help me plan my Units, especially the Electricity Unit that I taught to my Gr. 6 students. I was afraid that I might have blown up something if Rod hadn’t made all the models of the series and parallel circuits.
Talking about blowing up, Rod had a really fast speed boat and the only time I went on it, something happened to the motor and it caught on fire. I was pretty scared that the boat was going to blow up, but because Rod was there, everything was under control.
Rod was one of my dearest friends and I will miss him so much. I’m so so sorry for your loss.
I love you, Rod. I don’t know what I’m going to do without in my life. 🥰💕💕
May the Lord comfort and strengthen family through the coming days. Condolences with heartfelt sympathy and prayers Brian & Denise Coleffi and family – Soo,Ontario
I am so very sorry for your loss. Rod was such an amazing man with a heart of gold. The passion he had to help others was so inspirational. I hope to raise my 3 children with empathy towards others and the desire to help those in need like Rod always did. Thoughts and prayers to all of his family and friends ❤️
Aunt Rosemarie, Wade and Janice:
Linda, Stuart, and Sarah….
Please accept our sincerest condolences in the loss of your son, brother, husband and father. I hadn’t seen him since his wedding but I thought of him often. My daughter, Brilyn, met him when she went out west with her Grandmother, a few years back and said ‘He was super fun!’
Thinking of all of you.
Lynn & Brian Clargo, and family
Sault Ste Marie Ontario
Sorry to hear about Rod. I hope he didn’t suffer.
The ward family our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Brett & Valerie Russell
My sincerest condolences Linda. May you find peace and comfort at this time. My thoughts are with you.
Wish we could have gotten to know him better; a kind neighbor. Our sincere condolences to Linda and Family. Fred & Arlen van der Werf
I am saddened to learn of Rod’s passing. I grew up not far from where Rod and his family resided. My sincere condolences to his family at this time of sorrow. Larry Betuzzi
Dear Linda, Sarah and Stuart,
We are so sorry for your loss. While we never had the opportunity to meet Rod in person, his legacy lives on through Sarah and Stuart. He accomplished many wonderful things that you can all be proud of. We send you strength and resilience in this difficult time. Please reach out if we can do anything.
Warmest regards,
Diana, Thomas and Sierra
Very sad to hear this from my brother Chris. We knew Rod back in the late 60’s early 70’s When our folks lived on Franwill
Road we had many fun adventures with Rod and a great group from the neighbourhood. Always a happy smile and kind to everyone. Sounds like that continued through life.. Please accept our condolences.
Ted Cutlan, Calgary
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country
Dear Linda, Sarah & Stuart. We are saddened to hear of Rod’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Darcy and Carol-Ann, Penticton
Linda, Stuart and Sarah,
I was fortunate to work alongside with Rod for a couple years and in that short time made a cherished friend who always made me smile and laugh. He had a wonderful appreciation for people and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He will be warmly thought of and remembered fondly. Love and prayers to you.