Tribute

On Saturday October 15, 2011, Mr. Thomas Henry (Hank) Lewis of Osoyoos passed away peacefully at the South Okanagan General Hospital at the age of 89 years after a long illness with kidney failure and pulmonary fibrosis.
He was predeceased by his parents George and Amelia Jane (nee Cox) Lewis; sisters Mary and Lorena, brother Frank and his wife Dorothea (Dot) (nee Simpson) Lewis of 63 years.
Hank will be fondly remembered by his loving family including daughter Sheri; grandson Curt Ballsrud (Nicolina); twin great-grandchildren Luciano and Audrey, who were born March 19, 2011 and were the light of his last few months; numerous nieces and nephews from Saskatchewan, his home province.
Hank was a proud RCAF World War II veteran. Over the years, he owned a Texaco Station; worked at the Mac & Fitz and Monashee Packinghouses in Osoyoos, the Liquor Store in Osoyoos and was a retired member of the BCGEU.
He loved motorhoming and camping, he travelled to eastern Canada by train, to Alaska, Greece and Israel but loved Canada the most.
Hank was very involved in his community; he was a lifetime member of the Elks and a past Exalted Ruler of BPOE #436 Lodge, Osoyoos; sang with the Faith at Work Singers, volunteered with the Osoyoos Fire Department, and travelled with the Good Sam club. He helped put in the first water line in Osoyoos and was part of the work crew for many of the original buildings in Osoyoos after 1945, eg, the Royal Canadian Legion building. He was one of the first members of the Osoyoos Credit Union. Hank loved hockey, baseball, curling and was involved with the first 8 ender in 1961 in the original rink which is now the museum, he also enjoyed bowling, golf and gardening. Most of all, he loved telling jokes and had a repertoire of thousands of them.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday October 27, 2011 at the Osoyoos Elks Hall. A reception at the Osoyoos Elks Hall will follow the service. Graveside service will take place at the Osoyoos Lakeview Cemetery, Pioneer section along with his wife and in-laws D. Perley Simpson and Grace Simpson.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Kidney Foundation of BC or SORCO – the owl rehab centre would be appreciated.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.