Obituary of Larry Ruptash

Lawrence (Larry) Ruptash It is with hearts full of sadness, tremendous love and loss that the family of Larry Ruptash announces his sudden passing on Tuesday October 3rd, 2023 at the age of 87. Larry passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family. He will be greatly missed by Lillian his devoted wife and soulmate of 64 years; daughter Deserrie of Vegreville, son Troy (Craig) of Los Angeles, daughter Lara (Freddie) Fess of Bradford, Ontario, granddaughters, Jessica (Noel), Jaden (Brandon); sister Jeannette (John) Semotiuk, their children Melanie (Rodney) Sorochan, their children Ashton and Hudson; Jaryn (Michael) Scheck, their children Grayson and Alyssa; sister Angie (Ken Yaremcio) his children Steven (Marcie) their children Makena and Mason; and Sara Yaremcio; sister Tammy Ruptash, children Erin (Don), Mackenzie (Carson) as well as a large circle of other family members and friends. Larry was pre-deceased by his parents, Frank and Nellie Ruptash, brother-in-law Paul Smandych, mother- in-law Pauline Nasadyk, brother-in-law Dean Hollinger. Larry was born in Vegreville, August 24th, 1936. His early schooling began in Hairy Hill, his secondary and junior high schooling in Vegreville and his high school was completed at Lethbridge Collegiate while playing Junior A Hockey for the Lethbridge Native Sons. Larry started playing minor hockey in Vegreville and was on the teams that won the Alberta Championship in Bantam, Midget and Juvenile. While playing for the Lethbridge Native Sons, Larry was selected to attend the New York Rangers training camp. Upon finishing Junior hockey in Lethbridge, he started to play at a local level with the Vegreville Rangers for 6 years as a player and then as a coach. While coach of the Vegreville Rangers the team won the Craig Cup 2 years in a row and the Centennial Cup 1 year. Larry was President of the Vegreville Rangers for 3 years and held the positions of Manager, Secretary-treasurer and Director. Larry was involved and coached the Vegreville Junior B Rangers. He also played and coached minor baseball in Vegreville for a number of years. He was an active member of the Vegreville Golf Association holding a number of executive positions. Sports was a passion of Larry’s. He was an avid fan of the Oilers, Yankees, Dodgers and Blue Jays. In 1995 Larry was inducted into the Vegreville Sports Hall of Fame. Larry was elected Councillor for the Town of Vegreville in 1970. While a Councillor, he saw a need for a place where seniors could gather in community and together with a group of individuals was instrumental in creating the Senior Citizens Sunshine Club in 1972. He was also Chairman of the planning committee for the Vegreville Aquatic and Social Center. He was elected Mayor of Vegreville in 1977 and was Mayor when the Town had the honour of hosting her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1978. The Vegreville community was always at the center of Larry’s life and one of his missions was to see the Town of Vegreville keep progressing as a better place to live for both the young and old alike. This mission became an integral part of his life’s work. Larry accomplished his mission of serving his community by taking an active role in politics, community organizations as well as being a business owner in Vegreville. He was the owner and operator of Chico’s Drive-In Restaurant for 26 years. He was the first Chairman of the Vegreville Corridor Regional Water System that saw the planning and construction of a water pipeline in 1982 that enabled water to be brought from Edmonton to Vegreville. He was a member of the Kinsmen Club of Vegreville for 20 years where he held all executive positions, was the District Deputy Governor for Zone 3 and in 1980 was honored with a Life Membership. Larry was also a member of the K-40 Club. Larry was a member of the Vegreville and District Chamber of Commerce for 26 years and during that time was part of the committee responsible for the creation and establishing of the World’s Largest Pysanka. Larry served as a Special Assistant for the Right Honourable Don Mazankowski for eight years. He was a former member of the Board of Governors for Lakeland College, a member of the Vegreville Citizens’ Appeal Panel, the Vegreville Development Appeal Board and on the Alberta Transportation Safety Board. Larry was employed for more than 25 years in Advertising/Special Promotions for the NewsAdvertiser. His love and commitment to his clients gave him great satisfaction. Right up until his final days, Larry loved spending time connecting with people in the community. In fact, he was affectionately known as “Mr. Vegreville”. Although Larry had many accomplishments, family was the most important and his greatest love. At Larry’s request no funeral will be held. Cremation has taken place and there will be a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to KidSport Vegreville c/o Box 101, Vegreville, AB.,T9C 1R1 or etransfer to vegreville@kidssport.ab.ca, Vegreville Food Bank, CALS Breakfast Club or a charity of one’s choice.