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Iconic Hope chainsaw carver Pete Ryan has passed away

Ryan is a founding member of Hope’s famous chainsaw carving community
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Pete Ryan, known all over the world for his chainsaw carvings, died on Friday, Jan. 8. He was 70 years old. (Contributed Photo/Dignity Memorial)

The world lost a chainsaw carving icon in 2021.

World renowned Hope chainsaw-carving artist Pete Ryan died on Friday, Jan 8. He was 70 years old.

Ryan’s artistic contributions were the bedrock to Hope’s reputation as “Chainsaw Carving Capital of Canada,” including several carvings with the Communities in Bloom initiative. His iconic ‘Pioneer Pete and Nugget the mule,’ bearing the seal of the District of Hope, was restored in May 2020. Another Pete Ryan original, an ornately carved redcedar memorial bench, sits outside of District Hall.

RELATED: Pete Ryan carving restored to glory

RELATED: Redcedar memorial bench by Pete Ryan replaces black metal one at District Hall

His prolific experience in chainsaw carving landed Ryan a role on HGTV’s ‘Carver Kings,’ where he gained further international acclaim.

Read the full story in an upcoming edition of The Standard.


 

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