The one and only mayor of Sun Peaks Resort Municipality, Al Raine, has passed after a battle with ALS.
The municipality issued a statement Sunday announcing that Raine had passed “surrounded by his wife Nancy Greene Raine and his family.”
“It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Mayor Al Raine,” the statement said.
“Staff and Council mourn the loss of our Mayor, our friend and our dedicated community leader. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
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In May, Raine announced that he would be stepping down from his role as mayor following his ALS diagnosis.
According to the statement from the municipality, he officially resigned on Dec. 14.
He had served as the municipality’s mayor since incorporation in 2010.
Raine asked the municipality to share a message to their community on his behalf.
The statement said that Raine developed adult-onset asthma and, combined with the ALS, had made breathing “more and more difficult.”
“I have been lucky to have lived a full life with no regrets, with a supporting and wonderful wife, two healthy boys and a life full of adventures,” Raine said.
“I would have been upset if I were 38 years old and diagnosed with ALS but at 83, the best years are behind me.”
He also noted that it was a “great privilege” to serve as the mayor and work with other elected representatives.
In response to the announcement, the City of Kamloops also issued a statement.
“On behalf of the Kamloops community, Kamloops City Council wishes to express our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Al Raine, a visionary leader whose contributions shaped the success of Sun Peaks Resort and enriched the surrounding community through his leadership of Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality,” the city said.
“Our Council extends its deepest condolences to Al Raine’s family, many friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Sun Peaks municipal staff say a celebration of life is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 4-6 pm at the Sun Peaks Centre and more details will be provided in the future.
Below is Raine’s full statement:
Dear Sun Peaks Community,
I have resigned as your Mayor as of December 14th at midnight. Not something that I had planned or something that I really wanted to do. However, as we all know one can’t control everything in life.
My ALS combined with adult-onset asthma has made breathing more and more difficult with each passing day. ALS is interesting in that no two people follow the exact same path but rest assured, it is a horrible disease, and the end is not pretty. I have been lucky to have lived a full life with no regrets, with a supporting and wonderful wife, two healthy boys and a life full of adventures. I would have been upset if I were 38 years old and diagnosed with ALS but at 83, the best years are behind me.
It was a great privilege to have been Mayor of Sun Peaks and work with your elected representatives. Sun Peaks has great potential, and it can be even better if we all look after our guests, count our blessings and continue to make visitors feel special. I had hoped to see the employee only rental building burst out of the ground, but it is coming along, just a little too slow for my schedule. Always remember, the Sun Peaks people make the difference in whether our guests return or go somewhere else. The community makes people feel special and that is why people love Sun Peaks.
Thanks for sharing this journey!
Respectfully,
Al Raine
