Leslie Peter Rizun

Les died peacefully at home with all of his family present, using the MAiD program (medical assistance in dying) on January 28, 720pm, 2022. Although Les had Alzheimers’ dementia he was adamant that he wanted to die at a certain time when he was ready. And so he did, with dignity and grace, on his terms, using MAiD. Btw, one of his favourite songs was “I did it my way” by Frank Sinatra.

Les was born in Vancouver January 19, 1951, and died in White Rock, the city by the sea he always wanted to live in, and he did so for ten years. Les is survived by wife Diane, children Peter, Trevor, Sarah, and three grandchildren, Charlie May (Trevor and Erika), Arlo and Andi (Peter and Kristy). Les is also survived by three sisters, Betty Love (Ron-rip), Sandra Lauzon (Pat), Kathy Leary (Jack), and their children.

Les graduated from Douglas College with a “Construction Management” degree, a career that he literally lived and loved until he died. He loved building and creating; he designed and built three beautiful family homes over the years, and was co-owner of a building systems company that supplied quality houses locally and globally; he enjoyed traveling to ensure his houses were well received.

Everyone loved Les, he lived life with a passion that was contagious. He helped so many people, he was a person that would “give away the shirt on his back”. Family and friends all have memories of him helping them, all the way from little to big acts of kindness and generosity from a selfless gentleman.

Les was also a very private person and received his energy from ‘just being’. He loved his quiet time and being alone, often in the mountains or by a lake or ocean, sometimes for days. In his final months he enjoyed sitting on his recliner watching birds at the bird feeder and his cat Mia watching them too, lol. And the wind! And the stars!

Les loved golf and skiing; he and wife spent years enjoying both, in a variety of places. Les also loved running and hiking, a hobby he passed onto his wife and children, birthing a family of runners to this day.

Les’ crazy sense of humour through the ups and downs that life brings served him well, and that was a gift in itself for others too. Much laughter ensued! He often laughed about his dementia, and said when he used MAiD, he would just say “beam me up Scotty”. And Les’ trademark smile radiated his depth and contentment of being, always.

Les’ later years showed how much he dearly loved his children and grandchildren. He spent much of 2019 with son Trevor hiking and running in the Okanagan. He loved the year of 2020 when his daughter lived in his house suite. And Les’ final years were made very happy because his son Peter was (is) building a home where Les and Diane often visited; Les helped with the house in many ways. He absolutely loved the birthing of Peter’s house, and that quality time extended his life ‘big time’. He wanted his ashes buried there, and a plant with flowers planted.

Donations can be made to DyingwithDignity.ca, whose mission is “Through advocacy, public education and personal support, Dying With Dignity Canada ensures Canadians have access to quality end-of-life choice and care.” DwD is directly related to the MAiD program. Les’ wife will be doing a detailed blog in the near future for DwD.