Erwin Harry Rose

From the moment I met Erwin I sensed a loving innocence. I knew early on he was precious and the one for me. Life with Erwin has been deeply rewarding as everything he did he did for me and he had the welfare of my children at heart. In the last month of his life, after being extremely ill one of the most important concerns for him was the education and future career of my daughter, Jessie, and the happiness of both her, and my son, Nathan. In everything he was unselfish and gave fully and completely as I was his whole world and he treasured spending all his time with me. There was an essence about Erwin, something so beautiful and God-given that is rare in this world. The love he gave me came from all of his heart and soul. He is the love of my life and to me, "there is no greater man that ever lived than my husband, Erwin Rose`.

Erwin was born October 29th, 1958 to Harry and Irmgard Rose in Winnipeg, MB. He was the older brother to Lorraine, David and Melanie. His father remembers Erwin as a happy child. He had a gentle character and approached life in a positive, carefree manner. His family was important to him. Every visit to Winnipeg also included a drive out to Sioux Lookout, ON to visit his grandma. When he knew his life was nearing its end he encouraged his sisters to look after their dad.

Erwin completed his education in Winnipeg, MB and attended Winnipeg Bible College in Otterburne, MB. While at college he had a conversion experience and was later baptized at Grant Memorial Church as an expression of his commitment to the Christian faith. He moved to BC in 1996 where he met Bisa, the love of his life. The two were married June 30th, 2007. Erwin was able to experience life as a father to his stepchildren, Nathan and Jessie. He took this role seriously and was active in all aspects of their lives. Both Nathan and Jessie wish to express that Erwin "was a trusted confidante".

Erwin was musically gifted. He played both piano and guitar. His red Fender Stratocaster electric guitar sits in the corner of the living room at his and Bisa's BC home. He passed on his love of music to his stepson, Nathan, first teaching him chording on his guitar. The first song he taught Nathan was Led Zeplin's "Stairway To Heaven".

He had a life long passion for water sports, initially nurtured by childhood summers spent at his grandparents' cottage in Sioux Lookout, ON where the grandparents took the family on day long fishing excursions. Later when his parents bought the cottage at Caddy Lake in Manitoba's Whiteshell Provincial Park Erwin began water skiing and also bought a small sailboat. He and Bisa were members of a sailing co-op and they, with Nathan and Jessie, started exploring the BC golf islands on one of the co-op`s 30 foot sailboats.

Erwin followed in his father`s footsteps by becoming a painter by trade. While still a student Erwin painted for Valour Decorating, a company his father started with two childhood friends after they came to Canada. He continued painting after completing his apprenticeship and eventually went into business for himself. At the time of his death Erwin was painting for the Surrey School Board. After many years of being self-employed Erwin very much enjoyed and appreciated this job at the Board and loved the crew that he worked with. Even in his illness Erwin was eager to return to this job that he loved so much and it was difficult to convince him that he should stay home to recuperate.

Losing Erwin has devastated the family. He was our hero in so many ways. Not only was he my beloved husband but my children have lost a trusting friend and mentor and his sisters are in deep grief for the memories they will not share with him anymore. This is especially hard for his father as he has lost two other children and Erwin`s mother. Now he also has the pain of no longer having his eldest son to rely upon and share the father-son relationship. Erwin`s stepmother, Kaethe, and her daughter, Rita came into our family after Irmgard`s death. Kaethe relished having three more children to lavish her love and attention and Rita had siblings for the first time. Erwin had a very special bond with his grandmother and he was a joy to the entire family.

We appreciate everyone who will share in these heartfelt blessings to such a beautiful light in our lives ... our beloved Erwin. The world is saying goodbye to one of God`s most special children. ``ALWAYS LOVED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN``.