File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Chris Rose

Beloved Kamloops educator Chris Rose dead at 89

Sep 25, 2025 | 10:13 AM

KAMLOOPS — A pillar of the Kamloops educational community has died.

Chris Rose passed away Wednesday (Sept. 24) surrounded by his family.

A longtime educator in the Kamloops area, Rose is best known for establishing the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism (CRTCA).

Founded in 1989 as Giant Steps West, CRTCA evolved into a facility providing a wide variety of therapeutic programs for those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

On Sunday, family friend Dan Hines posted to social media that Rose had moved into palliative care.

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His death was announced in a post to the CRTCA Facebook page Thursday morning.

“He will be so very missed by so many, but the mark that he left will be felt by generations to come. We have all been touched by his kind, loving spirit… he will be terribly missed,” said Rose’s daughter Sarah in the post.

“This is a significant loss for our community, and especially for those whose lives have been changed through the support and care provided at the Centre,” added the CRTCA. “We take comfort in knowing that Chris’s legacy lives on in every child who finds their voice, every family who feels seen, and every act of care we offer in his name.”

The centre says funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but will be made public once they are finalized.

Chris Rose was 89.