Lino Romeo Meneghello

Len’s life began in the rugged beauty of northern British Columbia, a place that shaped him and stayed close to his heart. After spending his early years in Stewart BC, he moved to Vancouver in 1941 with his mother Bruna and sister Elena to help care for his brother Albert. At just 15 years old, Len headed back north to Stewart, where he started working as a plumber’s helper in Premier Mine.

Len loved the bush and the hard work that came with it. Over the years, he worked as a powder monkey clearing rock and roots to build logging roads, and snowshoed 75lb packs of supplies into remote mines during the winter months. Somewhere along the way, he picked up a camera and developed a real love for photography, capturing stunning shots of snow-covered mountains and the wilderness he admired so much.

In the late 1950s, Len returned to Vancouver, working on the Fraser River dredging for what was then the Deas Island Tunnel, now known as the George Massey Tunnel. After that, he began his long career on the waterfront. Drawing on the skills, techniques, and practical know-how he had learned in logging, Len helped improve production and efficiency in loading ships. He always took pride in working smarter, sharing what he knew, and helping everyone do their jobs better.

Len was a proud and loyal union brother with Local 500 and remained deeply involved throughout his life. He was very active in the ILWU Pensioners Organization.

Len believed in giving back. He volunteered with the Hoy-Scott Creeks Watershed Society in Coquitlam and spent time as a youth soccer coach and volunteered with the local Norburn Soccer Club. He was the kind of guy who showed up, pitched in, and didn’t ask for recognition.

In 1966, Len met Donna in Vancouver’s West End. They married in 1967 and shared 57 wonderful years together, celebrating their anniversary this December. Len and Donna loved to travel and explored the world together, enjoying different cultures and creating memories with friends and family along the way.

Len was good-hearted, welcoming, and gregarious. He was always ready to lend a hand and was known as a great storyteller who could keep a room engaged with ease. He loved fishing, golf, travel, family gatherings, and staying connected to his Italian family in Treviso, Italy, who remember him with great affection.

Len was predeceased by his father Giovanni, mother Bruna, brothers David and Albert, stepfather John Van Eikenhorst, brother-in-law Cam Boylan, and sisters-in-law Cheri Boylan and Loretta Meneghello.

He is survived by his beloved wife Donna (née Boylan); his children Tricia and Martin (Jayne); his sisters Elena March (Doug) and Amber Oaks; and his many nieces and nephews, all of whom Len held close to his heart, he loved all you.

Len will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, strong work ethic, loyalty to his union brothers and sisters, and his deep love of family and community. He left a lasting impression on everyone who had the good fortune to know him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm March 21st, at the Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St, Vancouver, BC.

In leu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to the Hoy/Scott Creeks Watershed Society https://www.hoyscottcreeks.org/get-involved or to the ILWU scholarship fund.