Richard Charles Soman, late of Chilliwack, B.C. passed away November 19, 2005 at the age of 85.
He was born in Wisconsin November 25, 1919.
At the age of four he moved to Charley Lake, B.C. where the family worked a farm until Richard began driving trucks and owned a store at Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway.
At age 27 the family moved to Armstrong, B.C. and on July 2, 1951 Richard married Aurise Canuel in Armstrong at St. Joseph Church. By1960 they adopted a daughter, Carol-Anne and a son, Edward, and they moved the family to Nanaimo, B.C. and bought a Texaco gas station with his brother-in-law.
By 1967 Richard missed the Okanagan and together with his partner the business was sold and he moved his family to Pentiction in 1969 with a short stay in Oliver, B.C.
Richard was a lead-hand with Bendix and General Coach until he retired. He also became a Grand-pa when Carol-Anne had a son, Jason Curran. He had a passion for woodwork, his garden and flowers. In 1993 Richard and Aurise moved to Chilliwack to be closer to their children and grandson. Richard was a life member of the Knights of Columbus.
Funeral Service will be held at St. Maryís R.C. Church on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Gino Aloisio, Celebrant.
He is survived by his wife, Aurise; daughter, Carol- Anne Curran of Chilliwack; son, Edward Soman of Port Coquitlam, grandson, Jason Curran, a brother, Leonard (Mary); sister, MaryAnn (Ernie) Summefeldt. He was predeceased by his sister, Delores Hansen..
Should family and friends so desire, donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. and Yukon.