Rainer Persicke

Rainer, beloved son, uncle, brother, nephew, friend, and father, passed away in the early morning hours on May 14th at Penticton Regional Hospital.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, he immigrated as a young boy to the Montreal area with his brother and parents who were determined to build a new life in Canada.  Rainer received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia and was trained as a teacher, before he chose to apply his gifts of compassion, leadership, ethics, and loyalty to a long career in the human services sector.  Before his retirement, two years ago, Rainer worked for OneSky Community Resources where he was a member of the senior management team for 17 years. He was a valued and well respected member of that organization where his qualities of kindness, compassion, and integrity were fully demonstrated. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rainer was also a talented artist, photographer, and more than capable wood worker, diligently tackling his seemingly endless renovations with meticulous skill and attention.  If you asked Rainer what his greatest accomplishment was, he would tell you it was being Teyen’s father; a wonderment and joy that began at his son’s birth and continued as powerfully even after Teyen’s tragic death in 2004.  A man of deep faith, Rainer was certain of his eternal life after death. Most importantly, he was confident that he would be reunited, in an ecstatic embrace, by his beloved son who would be waiting to greet him with a puppy!

Rainer is infinitely loved and missed by Kim Lyster, his son’s mother and dear friend, Kim’s sisters Lea, who thought of him as a brother, and Lindsay (Tim), Barry and Kayla Gruntman, Gail Kohlmeyer and nephews Mark and Jason (and family) in Ontario, and loyal friends across BC, Alberta, and Quebec.

A Celebration of Rainer’s Life will be held when the opportunity allows.

So come, my friends, be not afraid.

We are so lightly here.

It is in love that we are made, in love that we disappear. L. Cohen.