Image Credit: TNRD

By Victor Kaisar

Al Raine

Sun Peaks mayor Al Raine passes away after ALS diagnosis

Dec 15, 2024 | 4:38 PM

SUN PEAKS B.C. — Al Raine – the only person to ever serve as the Mayor of Sun Peaks – has died.

In a statement, the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality said Raine passed away peacefully surrounded by family and his wife Nancy Green Raine.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Mayor Al Raine,” the statement said.

“Staff and Council mourn the loss of our Mayor, our friend and our dedicated community leader. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

First elected as mayor in 2010, Raine announced his decision to step down in May after he was diagnosed with ALS. He officially resigned as mayor of Sun Peaks at midnight on Dec. 14.

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“Not something that I had planned or something that I really wanted to do,” Raine said, noting his ALS diagnosis combined with adult-onset asthma made it difficult for him to breathe.

“I have been lucky to have lived a full life with no regrets, with a supporting and wonderful wife, two healthy boys and a life full of adventures. I would have been upset if I were 38 years old and diagnosed with ALS but at 83, the best years are behind me.”

Raine also said that it was a “great privilege” to serve as mayor of Sun Peaks for 14 years and to work with elected representatives.

“Sun Peaks has great potential, and it can be even better if we all look after our guests, count our blessings and continue to make visitors feel special,” he said. “Always remember, the Sun Peaks people make the difference in whether our guests return or go somewhere else.”

“The community makes people feel special and that is why people love Sun Peaks.”

A celebration of life is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 at the Sun Peaks Centre.

More details about the service will be coming at a later date.

Here is the entirety of Al Raine’s message:

Dear Sun Peaks Community,

I have resigned as your Mayor as of December 14^th at midnight. Not something that I had planned or something that I really wanted to do. However, as we all know one can’t control everything in life.

My ALS combined with adult-onset asthma has made breathing more and more difficult with each passing day. ALS is interesting in that no two people follow the exact same path but rest assured, it is a horrible disease, and the end is not pretty. I have been lucky to have lived a full life with no regrets, with a supporting and wonderful wife, two healthy boys and a life full of adventures. I would have been upset if I were 38 years old and diagnosed with ALS but at 83, the best years are behind me.

It was a great privilege to have been Mayor of Sun Peaks and work with your elected representatives. Sun Peaks has great potential, and it can be even better if we all look after our guests, count our blessings and continue to make visitors feel special. I had hoped to see the employee only rental building burst out of the ground, but it is coming along, just a little too slow for my schedule. Always remember, the Sun Peaks people make the difference in whether our guests return or go somewhere else. The community makes people feel special and that is why people love Sun Peaks.

Thanks for sharing this journey!

Respectfully,

Al Raine