Oliviero "Oliver" Lepri

Lepri, Oliviero “Oliver”

June 3, 1940 ~ September 5, 2019

After a courageous battle with brain cancer, Oliviero Lepri, 79, long-time resident of Ashcroft, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

Oliviero (“Oliver”) is survived by his devoted wife Leonella of 50 years, children Nicoletta (Ted), Rosano (Kylie), Lorenza (Cory), Domenico, grandchildren Oliver and Mia, and many relatives. He was predeceased by his sister Guglielmina, father Domenico and mother Ubaldina. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, godfather and a friend to everyone.

Oliviero was born June 3, 1940, in Gubbio, Perugia, Italy, to Domenico and Ubaldina Lepri. He was the 4th of 6 children, alongside brothers Salvatore, Italo, sister Maria, and youngest brother Giancarlo. A builder and an explorer, he left home at the age of 16 to construct buildings and houses as a Master Carpenter Form Builder in Italy, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Libya, just to name a few countries. He married his soulmate Leonella in March 1969, moved to Canada in June 1970 to be close to his "cara sorella" (dear sister) Maria in Lytton, BC and finally moved to Ashcroft, BC in 1975, arriving on Ash Street in 1981, where he lived for his remaining 38 years.  He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway tirelessly for 30 years before retiring as Deputy Roadmaster, Thompson Sub, Maintenance of Way at the end of 1999. CP Rail is where he met countless friends. It was hard to take a trip anywhere without running into someone he knew ("How are things on the Thompson Sub Oliver?!").

Oliviero loved spending time in his garage. As a master handyman of all he could build or fix anything. He also loved working in his garden, keeping his yard in immaculate shape and making wine. Oliver really enjoyed having conversations, but especially about current events, politics, Calcio (Forza Italia) and Formula Uno (Forza Ferrari). At his table or in his backyard he would share his thoughts, his produce, his wine and his warmth.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Sept. 13, at 11am at the Ashcroft HUB (711 Hill Street), presided by Father Dale Normandeau.  A light reception will follow. Interment will be at Cache Creek Cemetery, with a graveside service for immediate family only.

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Meghan MacDonald, Dr. Deborah Obu, Dr. Delia Saucic, Dr. Benjamin Mou, Dr. Ryojo Akagami, Dr. Charlotte Dandurand, BC Ambulance, the staff of VGH Neuro Intensive Care unit, RIH 6-North (especially nurse Brandy Kuzyk), Kelowna and Kamloops Cancer Clinics, Ashcroft Home Health, and nurse Greg and all the staff at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice in Kamloops.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Oliviero's name can be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice in Kamloops and/or the BC Cancer Foundation to support research and advancements in the treatments of Brain Cancer.

http://www.kamloopshospice.com/index.php/contribute/donate/

https://bccancerfoundation.com/why-give/research/brain

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Oliviero "Oliver" Lepri, please visit our floral store.