It is with great sadness we share that our gentle soul, Hubert Lewin Lake left us last week after a short stay at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at age 83.
Hubert showed kindness to everyone he met and attracted the same from others.
He was always willing to help others from a young age, giving car and motorcycle rides to others. He started driving the school bus in Duchess at age 16. He would always stop to assist with roadside problems and offered to change locks and keys for those he met. Hubert loved motorcycles throughout his life. He drove many different bikes and shared friendship and local outings with the Red Deer Trials club in the 70s. Later with the Central Alberta Vintage Motorcycle Club; he once captured the ‘top age’ award for the largest sum of driver and motorbike age. He remained riding until the later onset of Parkinson’s symptoms meant he could no longer drive; at which time he took up boxing at the Dopamain Gym with others who share the same diagnosis.
Hubert earned his Private Pilot’s License at age seventeen, and did basic training for the RCAF, where testing revealed an inner ear issue that meant a career change. He became a Journeyman Master Locksmith and drove Greyhound Bus prior to starting teaching in 1968 at John Wilson Elementary School in Innisfail. He completed his Education Degree from the University of Calgary in 1971.
Hubert was always positive; he saw the good in people and led by example. His students would learn, notice and respond well. Fond memories include his support and encouragement of students to fundraise for the SPCA, and his students painting cartoon artwork on his Volkswagen Rabbit car and marching beside it in a parade. Hubert volunteered as treasurer for the Red Deer Gymnastic Association and the Unitarian Church, and served on the executive for the Alberta Locksmith Association.
Kids always brought him joy, and kids liked his sense of humor. Hubert performed as Santa and even made house calls to some lucky children. He volunteered for many annual grade 6 Goldeye Centre campouts and drove bus for school band trips. As a grandfather, he assembled and furnished a garden playhouse and engaged in hide and seek and flashlight explorations. Master Chef Junior was his favorite TV show.
In 1961, Hubert met Betty while playing badminton in a Calgary School. They married in 1962 and have over sixty years of life experiences and adventures together.
Hubert loved to camp. As newlyweds, they honeymooned at Waterton Lakes using a Pioneer yellow canvas tent (later referred to as the “butter dome”, when their grandkids camped in the same tent thirty plus years later), and together, they camped annually. They enjoyed travels in Thailand, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Turkey.
Larrabee State Park and Whidbey Island were family favorite camping destinations, as were two camping journeys to California. Hubert and Betty drove and camped across Canada, camped one summer in England, and made annual camping journeys to Victoria later in their retirement.
Hubert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-nine years, Betty, his children, Brian (Judith) and Alison (Don), and his grandchildren, Robin and Eldon Lake and William and Christopher Armstrong. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Snell, and many nieces and nephews. Hubert was predeceased by his parents, Owen and Minnie, and his siblings, Keith, June and Mary Anne.
The family appreciates the support provided by friends, his support staff, including Dr. Fordyce, Home Care, Speech Therapists, and the staff at the Dopamain Gym.
In lieu of flowers, we would encourage support of the Red Deer Branch of the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta at www.parkinsonassociation.ca.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Hubert Lewin Lake Wednesday May 11th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Red-Deer, Province: Alberta