ANDREW LAPA Andrew Lapa of Copper Cove on the Shuswap Lake passed away on October 27, 2008 at 75 years of age. He is survived by his loving wife Erna Lapa, children Andrew Carey Lapa of Pitt Meadows, BC and Kenton (Bonnie) Blair Lapa of Kamloops, BC, honorary daughter-in-law Sue Lapsys of Phoenix, AZ, sister Annie Pelto of Thunder Bay, ON, sister-in-law Alona (Al) Burger, brother-in-law Bill (Jude) Hautala, nephew Vaughn (Suzanne) Richardson, niece Claire (Tom) Richardson and many more nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Kevin William Lapa, and siblings Mary (Bob) Walker, Eugenia (Alf) Thomas, Olga (Gene) Oliarnyk, and brother-in-law Paul Pelto. Andy was born and raised in Fort William, Ontario. He attended Crawford Elementary and Selkirk High School. Here he developed a life long interest in football, in all aspects of the game, playing, coaching and refereeing. Andy continued to be involved in Minor Football and joined the Kamloops Referee Association and remained involved for 27 years. Andy apprenticed in Marathon as a Pipe Fitter and later returned to Fort William and worked for Great Lakes Paper. In 1959, he married Erna (nee Ericson) and began raising a family of three boys Carey, Kevin and Kent and always a cat or two. In 1966 he moved the family to Kamloops, BC where he was employed at the Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill and worked as a Pipe Fitter for 31 years until retirement in 1997. Andy was recognized by his Union for his dedicated service in a variety of capacities, which included 10 years as President of the Local. Andy’s hobbies included wine-making. His family and friends were his main interest in life. He loved his cat Taffy. In 1992 Andy received the Governor General of Canada Award (125th Commemorative Medal). This is awarded to Canadians in recognition of their significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada. The family would like to offer special thanks to the Costco staff for their quick response in calling 911, and to the Kamloops Ambulance Service for their valiant efforts. Andy was predeceased by his son Kevin in 1985 and developed a scholarship in his name, the Kevin Lapa Scholarship Society. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted for the Kevin Lapa Scholarship Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, S.P.C.A., or any other significant organization of your choice. The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul St., with Reverend Dawne Taylor officiating. Kamloops Funeral Home 250-554-2577 Condolences may be emailed to the family from: www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com