Lucien VAN RUSKENVELD

VAN RUSKENVELD, Lucien (Lew) Peacefully in Calgary, Alberta, on May 11, 2006, at the age of 94. He was the beloved husband of Olga; dear father of Yvonne Van Ruskenveld (John Azar) of Victoria, B.C., and Naomi Kerr (Eric Krautheim) of Airdrie, Alberta; dear grandfather of Lauren and Emma Kerr; fondly remembered by his niece and nephews; predeceased by his brother, Maurice, and his parents Oscar and Leonie. Lew came to Canada from Belgium in 1926 with his parents and brother, settling first in Saskatchewan. During the Depression, he rode the rails looking for work in Alberta, and brought back news of those rich lands. The family moved to farm in the Westlock and Holden areas. In World War II, Lew joined the air force and was an instructor in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After the war, he had an electrical wiring and appliance business in Holden, and eventually joined the federal government in Ottawa. In retirement, he and Olga lived in Campbell River, B.C., Calgary, and Airdrie. Lew loved his family, his ham radio outfit, and music. He always had a story and a joke to tell. He was much loved. A celebration of Lew's life will be held on Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Ramada Inn and Suites, 191 East Lake Crescent, Airdrie, Alberta. Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200-119 14 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1Z6 (phone: 403-270-3549) would be appreciated. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 5/20/2006