February 11, 1933 - May 18, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
On May 18, 2022, Henry (Hank) George Rushbury Raitt came full circle when he passed away peacefully at the Haven Hill Retirement Centre with family by his side. He had been born in the same location on February 11, 1933, when it was the original Penticton Hospital. Married to Janice (Day) Raitt for 66 years, he was a devoted family man with a kind heart and a quick wit.
Hank grew up in Naramata and went to Pen High where he was an avid football player nicknamed, "Hurrying Hank the Halfback". After graduation, he ran an orchard as well as working at Inland Natural Gas for many years.
In 1970, he moved his family from Naramata to Summerland and ran his own heating/air conditioning business. They set off on a new adventure in 1986 and purchased the Westbridge General Store and ran it until the late 1990s becoming an integral part of the community.
Hank and Janice retired in Westbridge and built a home overlooking the Kettle River. In their retirement they spent many winters in Arizona. After Hank had a stroke in 2006, they returned to Summerland a few years later to be closer to family.
Hank enjoyed the outdoors and shared that passion with his children and grandchildren. He loved to hunt, fish, camp, ski, curl, and golf. He was an avid volunteer within the communities he lived. Hank enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren's sports and activities. In his later years he enjoyed watching all sports on TV. Hank played crib almost daily and especially enjoyed games with his family. He always played to win.
Hank's favorite times were family get togethers around a holiday meal, camp fire, or backyard BBQ where he provided good laughs with his one- liners and stories of youthful adventures.
Hank is survived by his wife Janice (Day) Raitt; his children, Holly Colquhoun (Norm Coffey), Greg (Shannon) Raitt, Warren (Shannon) Raitt, and Robyn Thompson; his grandchildren, Jeff and Garrett Colquhoun; Joel (Stephanie) Raitt and Mikaela (Kevin) McNally; Daniel (Alex) Raitt and Maria Raitt; Warwick, Eric, and Derian Thompson; his Great Grandchildren, Hawk and Tiger Colquhoun; Luna, Azalea, and Fern McNally; sister, Mary Loewen and predeceased by his sister, Jean Smith.
Throughout his life, Hank instilled family loyalty, caring for each other, and spending quality time together as a priority. As a family we will carry these values forward into future generations and continue creating memories together.
Our last family camping adventure was at Agur Lake where Hank enjoyed fishing from the dock in the wheelchair accessible environment. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Agur Lake Camp Society - Summerland.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Haven Hill Retirement Centre for their care and respect during his final years.
To honour Hank's wishes, his family and friends will gather to eat, drink, and reminisce at a later date.