LEWIS ERROL ROGERS (LEW)

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LEWIS ERROL ROGERS
July 6, 1949 – September 15, 2022

As he planned, Lew passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 15, 2022. Although ALS had changed much of Lew's life, he retained his ability to love, to enjoy being with friends and family, and to live with grace and resolve.
Beloved husband of Coleen and loved by his and Coleen's parents, sisters and brothers and their children and grandchildren. Lew will also be fondly remembered by his many friends from university, work, golf and neighbourhoods in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa.
Lew's career began and ended by leading change. Shortly after earning a B. Comm from UBC he joined Transport Canada and identified the need to reactivate Boundary Bay Airport. He then led planning and environmental assessment to rebuild and reopen the airport. He proudly wore its code, CZBB, on a favourite baseball cap.
Lew's long career with Transport Canada saw him leading the planning, construction and operation of airports in BC, the Prairie Provinces, the Territories and Ontario. He then moved into managing regulation of rail safety and safe transportation of dangerous goods across the Prairies and the North. He proudly wore t-shirts and jackets emblazoned with various airport and Transport Canada emblems.
In 2004 Lew was invited to join the team creating the legislative and regulatory framework to establish the BC Safety Authority, and subsequently became the first Lower Mainland Regional Director. In 12 years of retirement, he proudly wore out a BC Safety Authority golf shirt.
Lew's career and retirement years were marked by friendships. Everywhere Lew lived, he found family to celebrate and friends to enjoy. He created mentorship programs, rejoicing when young managers moved into executive roles. His friends and family relied on him to plan, organize and deliver anything that could be put into a schedule or a spreadsheet, laughingly awarding him the title "Master of the Spreadsheet".
He loved to chat. If you didn't know Lew, it's because you didn't stand beside him in a line-up, sit near him in a café or wait with him for anything, anywhere. He didn't give up chatting when ALS removed his ability to speak; he used a type-to-speech app on his phone and a boogie board to carry on conversations. His family and friends were happy to be able to chat with him to the end.
Lew quietly set an example of care and compassion, both in his work and his personal life. He will be much missed.
Lew was deeply grateful for support received from the ALS Society of BC and the Canadian Red Cross. For many years he canvassed for Heart & Stroke Canada. In lieu of flowers, a donation to any of these organizations would be gratefully received.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 07, 2022, Oct 08, 2022