Austin Harvey “Rusty” Wright
July 20, 1929 ~ July 24, 2011
Austin Harvey “Rusty” Wright passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at the age of 82 years in the Creston Valley Hospital with family by his side.
Rusty was born on July 20, 1929 on the family homestead near Palmer, SK to Harry and Mae Wright, the second of eight children. The homestead was moved north near Cando shortly after Rusty’s birth and later, when his father gained employment with the Veterans Guard of Canada during WWII, the family moved to Medicine Hat, AB. In Nov. 1945, Rusty was posted in the Royal Canadian Navy as an Able Seaman. He traveled the Pacific Rim on HMCS Assiniboine and was involved in locating and destroying floating mines left from the war. Following his five years of service, Rusty sought out several types of employment and eventually was hired into the Immigration Department of the Federal Government. In 1955 he was posted at Kingsgate, BC when he met his bride, Mona (nee Cook) at Cranbrook’s Greyhound Bus Terminal. They married in Creston, BC in 1958 and settled into their first home in Cranbrook.
Rusty’s employment took them to the lower mainland where their three children were born and later to locations in the interior of BC. Rusty’s last posting was in the Toronto area and he retired in 1985. He and Mona moved back to Creston for their retirement.
Rusty, along with Mona, was active in several community and regional organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society, Citizens on Patrol and Restorative Justice. Both were heavily involved in federal politics and Christ Church Anglican, Creston, BC. Rusty was a charter member of the Creston Valley Rotary Club. He and Mona were charter officers of the Federal Superannuates National Association, (Kootenay Branch). Rusty was a past director of Swan Valley Lodge and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was also a member of the Abbotsford Masonic Lodge #70, affiliated member of the Creston Masonic Lodge #54. He loved to travel, especially to Arizona for the winter and visits with his children and grandchildren.
Rusty was predeceased by brothers Lawrence, Alf, and Harry; sister Clarice; parents Mae (Storey) (Hodthorpe, Derbyshire, England) and Harry Wright (Leicester, Leicestershire, England).
Rusty will be dearly missed by his wife Mona; daughter Lynette (Dave) Lewis; sons Vern (Wendy) and Derek (Dorina); grandchildren Ivy, Madigan, Emma, and Matt; as well as numerous relatives and close friends.
The celebration of Rusty’s life was held on Friday, July 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church Anglican with The Rev. Robin Ruder-Celiz officiating, assisted by The Rev. Canon James Hearne.
Interment at Pioneer Cemetery, Creston, BC.
Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the BC Lung Association, Box 34009 Station D, Vancouver, BC V6J 4M2 or to the Creston Valley Hospital, Bag 3000, Creston, BC V0B 1G0.