Roger Manville Romses

Roger died peacefully in his sleep with his family near. His life was a well orchestrated combination of; a dedication to family, hard work, love of sports, and a love of travel – in that order. He was predeceased by his first wife Patricia (nee Ling), his second wife Patricia (nee Lauener), and his daughter Lisa Jean Romses. He leaves behind his daughter Kathy (Tom), and sons Gordon (Agnes) and Scott (Lise). His extended family includes 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Roger was born in the farming community of Tompkins, Saskatchewan; as the youngest of 3 sons. After losing his father at a young age, the family settled in Trail BC. It was here that Dad grew to love winter sports; in particular, hockey. He eventually played goal for the Trail Smokies who won the national

champioinship. He then got a Hockey scholarship to the University of Michigan. His love for hockey was passed on to his children at a young age. The back patio of the family home in Upper Delbrook, was transformed into an ice rink by placing plywood around the perimeter, and flooding it in winter with the garden hose. So all us kids learned to skate at a very young age. In later years, Dad got the family a membership to the North Shore Winter Club, where he coached Gordon and Scott to play competitive hockey.

Dad’s academic interests led him to pursue a degree in Architecture, starting with studying at the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Design, followed by finishing his degree from the University of British Columbia in 1962. In between Michigan and UBC, he worked with a firm in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he lived the good life: working during the day, and surfing after work, and playing with his pet monkey in the evenings. Upon graduating, he married our wonderful mother, and they then moved to North Vancouver and built a beautiful young family with our sisters, Kathy and Lisa Jean. He began his career with a long stint working for C. B. K. Van Norman Architects. But his real passion was to work for himself, and he eventually started his own practice, followed by establishing the very successful partnership: Romses Kwan & Associates, with Vincent Kwan, who were responsible for many well-known buildings throughout Vancouver, Kelowna, and abroad.

Dad was a very hard worker. A typical day would be a full day at the office, come home for a home cooked meal, and then up to his home office until bedtime. But he would always make time for family. We enjoyed family trips most years; including ski trips to Whistler, Aspen, and Big Sky – Montana. And sun vacations to Hawaii and Mexico. And he was rarely too busy to miss his kids hockey game, or driving to a 5am practice on a Saturday morning.

Dad’s big dream was to build his own house. Things were getting a little tight in the 3 bedroom home in upper Delbrook; especially with a growing family of 6. So he found a waterfront lot in Deep Cove that wasn’t much more than a steep bank covered in blackberries. And then got to work building his dream house. The family thrived in Deep Cove, but once all the kids left home, he sold the big house, and built his second smaller home in Dundarave, West Van.

Dad developed Alzheimer’s in his last couple years, and the family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Jacqui from Home Instead, who through her care, enabled for him to stay in his precious home almost to the end; and to the wonderful staff at Sunrise Lynn Valley for making his last 3 months enjoyable. He knew he was loved!

A celebration of life is planned for the Spring.