Mr Richard Llewellyn Rees

On October 15th,2022 just twelve days after a party in his home celebrating 105 beautiful years of life, Richard (Dick) Rees died. Dick was born in Saskatchewan, the youngest of six children of a prairie preacher, Rev William Rees and his wife Kate. He was the only child born in Canada of parents who had emigrated from Wales. After a variety of jobs in Saskatchewan and California, and having ridden in a train box car to Vancouver, he enlisted in the Merchant Marine and served throughout the Second World War. Following his father’s death, his sister Ann and mother joined him in Vancouver. After the war they moved to Livingstone Road (now 232nd Street) Langley where Dick would live until his death.

Dick established and operated for the rest of his career a successful Real Estate, Development, and Insurance business. In 1961, he married Laura Callard whom he met at church and had been his close friend for many years. Dick and Laura were well liked and generous, and active in their church and community. They loved outdoor activities, especially gardening and fishing. An example of their generosity was the gift to the municipality of land that was designated the Rees- Callard Park in Langley. He was always capable, clever, and beyond self sufficient. Perhaps Dick’s finest times were as primary caregiver, first to his mother who lived to age 101 and, for ten years, to his wife Laura who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, and died in 2005.

After Laura’s death, Dick was extremely fortunate in acquiring the care giving and companionship of Aura Torres. Aura treated Dick as family. Together with her family and connections, she supported Dick and provided a safe and enriched life in his own home until he died. He was also fortunate to have the love and support of church friends and neighbours like Shirley McGonigal.

In addition to his parents and wife, Dick was predeceased by his four brothers Bill, Al, Joe, and Henry, his sister Ann, and their spouses. He is survived by their succeeding generations and by Laura’s son, Allan Callard. Nephew Joe and great nephew Richard Rees and his wife Diana have been particularly close to Dick.

Dick’s life was not only long but well lived and he will live on in the memories of those whose lives he has touched.

Please copy & paste the link below to your browser to reach the article highlighting the Rees-Callard Natural Park Area:

https://kurtalberts.com/achievements7-c.html