‘Giant’ in truest sense of the word
DEAR EDITOR
Re: Educators mourn loss of ‘giant,’ March 5)
Your headline captures the essence of Rolli and the great loss many of us feel with his passing. He was indeed a giant in so many ways and was the kind of guy you didn't really meet, rather you experienced him.
Rolli was a larger than life figure whose contribution to the Central Okanagan was equally significant in making our city a better place.
Having served as his lieutenant on the Credit Union board for many years, Rolli was my mentor and teacher, dispersing advice and direction whether I wanted it or not, yet I always knew his assistance and direction were never from a place of malice but from a kind and well-intentioned heart.
Rolli loved life and people and had a capacity for service unparalleled in my years of community experience in Kelowna. His involvement in Bursary Societies, Sporting Clubs, the Italian Club, the Rutland Residents Association, to name a few of his commitments, had me wondering how he could be in so many places at once. I suspect it had a lot to do with his dear wife Mary, whom he cherished.
His appetite for life and service was wide and broad, including his appetite. I’ve never seen a guy attack a plate of spaghetti like Rolli, with bib tucked into his neckline, utensils poised for consumption and seatmates giving him a wide berth for the onslaught ahead. In his later years, he modified his intake yet still had the passion and joy in place as he devoured his offerings.
Rolli was fun to be around. When he entered a room it was hard to miss him and you knew eventually he would get around to chatting with you as everyone seemed to be his friend. He was great at introducing people and making connections and he prodded me, more than a few times, to make sure I circulated and helped newcomers feel welcome.
We will all miss him greatly. He has left a wonderful legacy for us to consider as well as a large hole in the service community which needs to be filled. I can hear him saying, "Stuart, make sure some of these younger people start giving back, I’ll check back in a month to see how you’re doing.”
And in response I can say, “enjoy your well deserved rest dear friend, and save some of that awesome spaghetti for the rest of us on our arrival.”
Until we meet again,
Stuart Ballard, Kelowna
VANCOUVER — After a series of games where the Maple Leafs appeared to be unstoppable, Toronto finally hit a stumbling block Thursday when the Vancouver Canucks prevailed Leafs 3-1.
"There's some games where everything just goes your way and today was one of those games where everything went Vancouver's way," Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.
"They certainly played hard and deserved it. When you play like that, normally things do end up falling your way."
In the four games prior to Thursday, Toronto (18-5-2) outscored its opponents 15-2, including a 6-1 drubbing of the Oilers in Edmonton on Wednesday to complete a threegame sweep.
It was a much-needed victory for the Canucks (10-15-2), who linger in second-last place in the North Division.
Vancouver got a big performance from goalie Thatcher Demko, who stopped 32 shots.
The game's momentum seemed to shift midway through the second frame when Leafs defenceman Justin Holl was called for a trip.
Despite the man advantage, Demko was forced to make his most impressive save of the night when Alexander Kerfoot and Ilya Mikheyev got a short-handed 2-on-1 break.
Kerfoot sliced a last-second pass to Mikheyev in front of the net and Demko deftly slid across the crease, stacking his pads to make the stop.
Vancouver recovered and sent the puck to the other end of the ice, where left-winger Jake Virtanen got off a sharp-angle shot that snuck between the left shoulder of Leafs goalie Michael Hutchinson and the crossbar to put Vancouver up 2-1.
It was the 24-year-old winger's second goal of the night and his third of the season.
"It felt good in a win. If you lose, it probably wouldn't have felt as great," Virtanen said. "It always feels a lot better when you win."
Bo Horvat also scored for Vancouver, burying a snap shot midway through the third period to give his side some breathing room.
Pierre Engvall had the lone goal for the Leafs with Mikheyev notching an assist.
The two sides will square off again in Vancouver today.