Todd Ashley Roberts (November 11th, 1965 - June 3rd, 2024) was an important part of our community. With extreme and immense heartache we regret to share the news of the untimely passing of a hard-working and generous community-minded citizen, firefighter, and most importantly -- loving husband and wonderful father, Todd Ashley Roberts of Oyama, B.C. on Saturday, June 3rd, 2024. (Ironically and unbelievably on the same day as his parent-in-laws Ed and Wendy Tarasewich’s, Celebration of Life.) His immediate and close family are still trying to understand and process why Todd had to leave so soon in their lives while there was so much more living and teaching of life’s lessons to do. As Todd would say, “timing is everything”, “there’s no time like the present” and “life is too short” and he meant it like he knew what the future held for him. While Todd had endured the loss of his amazing mom and many siblings so early in his life, he was always such an optimist. His eternal drive to carry on, be strong and persevere was always evident in everything he did. Todd could fix anything, do anything and be anything and would “Mcgyver” it if he had to. His love of fixing, restoring and racing cars was always evident and was his passion and anyone who knew Todd, knew that to be true. His favourite places were the drag racetrack with the smell of raw octane fuel and billowing tire smoke, the hockey rink cheering Luke on and his love for living in Oyama after growing up there since 1972 and living there on the hill for so many years with his family. Todd was a man of many many talents and started at his wife’s family sawmill and wood business in the early 1990’s. This is where his “love” of wood came to fruition and eventually Todd and Wanda built up their own Timber Framing Business called Okanagan Log &Timber Frames with so much heart and soul. Amazing timber frame homes were built from Ireland, Vermont, Oregon coast to across Canada and beyond. Visits to New York, England, Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and many other places in between were always highlights. Todd was always looking for an adventure and always eager to live like there’s no tomorrow because he knew life was so precious, and he was so right. After the tragic loss of his sister Lisa in 1994, Todd wanted to be there for anyone else he could help in such a traumatizing situation. He fulfilled this in approximately 1996 by becoming first a volunteer firefighter and first responder and then Captain at the Oyama Station 91 fire hall for almost 20 years combined. He fulfilled his own personal obligation to help others in their times of need for various building and property fires, vehicle accidents, land and water medical response and working tirelessly on the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Fire. Todd also was intricate in responding and first on scene to two separate large fires at the family sawmill in Oyama where he worked along side his wife, Wanda, and Father in law, Ed. Todd and Wanda’s children, Meagan, Lauren and Lucas were the apples of his eye. Meagan, first being born on Father’s Day was just the beginning of a whole new world for Todd and from that day forward to the days of when Lauren and Lucas were born filled Todd with so much joy. He was a teacher of life and experience and of hope and endurance, never afraid to get his hands dirty and work hard. Todd worked endlessly to give his family a home, life and all that he had to give. Always willing to teach his children, especially Lucas how to change oil, fuel filters, starters, tires and so much more. Meagan and Lauren were his sweethearts and as a father he protected and loved the girls like no other, always asking where they were going, what friends they were with and if they ever needed anything. He included Wanda and all three children in the business as well and taught them that there was no shame in working with your hands and getting the job done no matter what. Lucas worked more with Todd in the last few years being his righthand guy working on projects from hand and CNC profiling, planing, notching, and full on-site construction through to completion. It really was a family affair and Todd never ever forgot to often say how proud, how grateful and how much he loved his family for their help and support. Wanda was the constant love of his life. They were together for almost 33 years and would have been celebrating their 27th anniversary on Wed. June 7th, 2024 and their son Lucas' graduation on Sat. June 10th, 2024 -- mere days after his passing. He leaves an unbelievable hole in his family’s life which can never be filled or replaced. Todd did everything he could to protect and look after his family as they were ALL he had. He knew at the end of the day that they’d always be waiting for him at home and had his back no matter what. Bentley, Todd’s loyal and faithful Golden Retriever was with him right up to his last moments, never leaving his side. A true guardian and friend. Todd’s family will always be waiting for him to come through the front door after a hard day at work looking for his supper, conversation, support and endless love. Todd’s up-roaring laugh and smile forever ingrained in their minds like the grain and life rings of a tree. A tree of life…. Our hearts and lives will never be the same without him and he has gone far, far too soon with so much life left to live. Todd was a respected member, as well as being the volunteer Captain, of the first response team at Oyama Fire Station 91 for 19 years. Since the Roberts family were often the ones assisting others, and never ones to ask for help themselves, the volunteer firefighters of Lake Country have organized this Go Fund Me campaign to assist Wanda and their children at this significant time of loss of their beloved Todd -- the breadwinner in the family with no life insurance. Any and all support is appreciated very much.
Artículos relacionados
