March 17, 1945 - November 8, 2022
In loving memory ~
The Richards family is saddened to share that Wayne passed away suddenly on November 8, 2022, at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
Wayne was born March 17, 1945, in Rossland, BC and graduated from Rossland Senior Secondary in 1963. Wayne met and married his wife of 58 years, Betty Ann, in 1964 and together started their family with the birth of their first son Robert in 1965. Their only daughter Andrea followed in 1967, and youngest son Michael in 1968.
Wayne started his working career at Teck Cominco in 1964 which led to him gaining his intra-provincial millwright's ticket. He then lived and worked throughout BC in multiple communities until his retirement in Ashcroft in 2010. Wayne was an active member of every community he lived in, and he touched the lives of so many through his volunteer work.
Wayne was a member of Lions Clubs International for 40 years and served in all positions including Zone Chairman and was a member of the board of directors for the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities for 6 years.
Fondly know as 'Stretch' or 'George' by some, Wayne was a loving and dedicated family man whose infectious smile and sense of humor will be remembered by all who met him. Wayne was the kind of man who could walk in a room and know every person within minutes. He was a kind and gentle soul who made friends easily everywhere he went.
A reluctant traveler at first, Wayne grew to love travelling the globe with his wife and family and the various Lions clubs he joined. He loved being on the high seas, and he and Betty Ann were frequent guests with Holland America cruise line.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife Betty Ann and children Robert (Marguerite), Andrea (Denver) and Michael (Roberta), 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Germaine and Janice, brother Greg (Donna) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Wayne was pre-deceased by his mother Polly, father Wilfred, and sister Donna.
Our heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nurses of 7 North and the ICU at RIH for their care of Wayne in his last days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the BC Lions Society in his name, or a charity of your choice.
Wayne will go home to rest in Rossland, BC where the family will hold a celebration of his life in the spring of 2023. 250-377-8225.