RUST, Raymond Theodore

Passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus and surrounded by family on August 16, 2011 at the Village at Mill Creek. Ray was born on May 9, 1928, the youngest child of Richard Theodore Rust and Alice May Rust (nee Buckland) in Verdun, Quebec. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Florence and brother-in-law Alex Roy, his older brother Robert Rust, his first wife Magdelene Bokor and daughter-in-law Audrey Rust.

Ray received his B. Comm. and CMA in Montreal, began his career in finance and spent most of his working years with Cadbury Schweppes. He retired as Manager of Human Resources and Benefits. He enjoyed the challenge of dealing with people in all walks of life, but his passion was music and his instrument was the piano. He played in bands in Montreal for many years.

He gave his life to Jesus before the death of his first wife and his life took an abrupt change with marriage to his second wife, Anne, and was the dedicated father of a blended family. When the company office moved to Toronto, he became involved in playing for a church choir and for various individual performers, and was known as “Fingers Rust”. In 1993 he and Anne retired and moved to Kelowna. Shortly after moving here, he began playing for the Masters Messengers quartet. He enjoyed playing for them for many years. Then for a while he played for the Black Mountain Boys, playing country music with a jazz twist. Later he spent many years playing in retirement and nursing homes.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife Anne, of 38 years, daughter Alyce (Glenn) Boraas, son Ronald (Anna) Rust, son Andrew (Arlene) Rust, daughter Madeleine (James) McGhee, step-daughters Rhonda (Brian) Furtney, Linda (Ted) Duck and Nancy McCargar, his cousin Doris, seventeen grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

We greatly appreciate the dedication of Dr. M. Steinruck, the care he received at the Village at Mill Creek, especially Care-Aides Debbie, Chrystal and Miranda, and LPN’s Crystal and Chelsey and R.N. Florence.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC on Saturday, August 20th at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to World Vision, #1 World Drive, Suite 900, Mississauga, ON, L5T 2Y4 or the Gideons, c/o #593 Spruceview Place South, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1S8. Private burial at the Gellatly Heritage Cemetery. A light has gone out of our lives, but we know we will meet again. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.

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