October 11, 2024
In loving memory ~
Roger Edwin Bond passed away peacefully on October 11th, 2024 after almost 81 years of laughing his way through life. He approached his last nine years with Parkinson's with humour, grace, and dignity.
Born in New Westminster in 1944 the youngest of seven, Roger moved to the Kootenays when he was just one year old, and spent the rest of his life whistling up and down the streets of Nelson. A steam engineer by profession, Roger started his career at Celgar and ended it at LV Roger's. Working at the high school in both Salmo and Nelson were his favourite jobs as he was surrounded by the students who kept him feeling young. Roger was his best self when in a room full of people. With an arsenal of one-liners at the ready, he used humour to connect with people—it seemed as though he existed to make others smile. He was gentle, kind, and loving; he was loud, gregarious, and playful; he wore his heart on his sleeve and a hat on his head—Roger was undeniably himself.
His family was the light in his life, and he is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marianne, and his three children Cameron, Kristin (Michelle), and Erin (Cory).
Roger is predeceased by his parents Leslie and Alice Bond; by his brother's Lawrence (Grace) , George and Jack (Charlotte), and brother-in-law Joe Varga. He is survived by his siblings Barbara, Denis (Gabrielle) and Buddy (Martine) and his sister-in-law Karen Bond. Also numerous nieces and nephews and their children and grand-children whom all held a special place in his heart.
In lieu of flowers and cards, and in memory of Roger, follow his advice for living: be someone's reason they smile and take lots of naps.
Roger was very appreciative of all the laughs and care he received from Dr. McKay, Dr. Kita, and the staff at the Kootenay Lake District Hospital. Roger's family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you for the kindness that was extended in Roger's three weeks at KLDH.