Roland Nicolas Joseph Lange
November 21, 1919 - January 26, 2010
Born in Verviers, Belgium, Roland grew up working hard on a farm. Eventually, he trained as a butcher’s apprentice. For his military service, he joined a Belgium cavalry unit, Deuxieme Chasseurs a Cheval. After that, he was active in the Resistance movement against the German occupation in WWII. He won many medals and commendations for his efforts. Eventually, he found work as a fire man on locomotives. On September 15, 1943, he married Yolande ALINE Lange. Two sons were born, Claude and Eric. He and Aline became co-owners of a small restaurant in Namur, Belgium. Foreseeing the end of the steam locomotive, Roland moved his small family to Canada to begin a new life in 1957. The hard life of new immigrants to Canada followed with picking strawberries, raspberries and blueberries on a farm in Langley. Roland supplemented their income working on water and sewer pipelines (including the City of Comox). Later, they co-owned and operated Pinky and NorCanBel laundromats in Langley. Roland and Aline retired and moved to Sooke, then to Union Bay. A fine singer, gardener, handyman, creative with wood crafts (including many wooden clothespin creations) fisherman and wrestling fan with a sharp sense of humour, Roland’s unique qualities will be missed. Aline and the extended Lange family and friends will remember a strong-willed chain smoker who grew and prepared his own tobacco, tackled any project with a will, and accomplished his purpose of giving his family a good life in a new country.
Roland passed away at Glacier View Lodge in Courtenay. We extend our gratitude to the kind and caring staff of Glacier View Lodge for their care of husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle Roland. In lieu of flowers, donations to Glacier View Lodge would be appreciated. A memorial-celebration of life will be held at Union Bay United Church on February 27, 2010 at 2:00 pm. Refreshments to follow in the church hall.