With both profound sadness, and joyous celebration of a life well lived, we announce the passing of our beloved Owen Owens. He grew up in Montreal and attended McGill University, completing his PhD in Geology. His career started with geological mapping of the remote areas of Northern Quebec and Labrador, before joining Cominco in 1957.

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Owen met the love of his life, where else, but on the ski hill. He married Alison Ramsay in 1952 and settled first in North Bay, Ontario, before moving to Kimberly, BC, back to Montreal for 10 years and finally being warmly welcomed in Vancouver in 1970. Owen was introduced to skiing by his father who was an early pioneering skier in Montreal and Northern Quebec. Owen began ski racing as a young teenager in high school, and enjoyed the sport into his 94th year. He always loved being at Whistler and enjoyed having conversations with people on the chairlift. He transcended generations and always skied with enthusiasm, interest and passion. He was an inspirational influence to countless skiers throughout his life. The Peak to Valley Race will never be quite the same without Owen standing in the start gate. Sun Valley was also a special place, as for over 45 years, Alison and Owen enjoyed not only the amazing skiing, but also their chance to reconnect with their Montreal ski friends. Owen’s passion for physical activity of all kinds, whether it was skiing, golfing or riding his bike, offered an example to others of the wonderful benefits of a long life filled with joy and just plain fun. His working life with Cominco-Teck Resources had many successes. Owen loved his work and the people he met throughout his career. His greatest satisfaction came from the Black Angel mine in Greenland. He combined his ski knowledge with his work by ingeniously devising a gondola that crossed a fjord which brought the lead and zinc concentrate to market. In 1996 he received the Blaylock Medal from the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metalurgy for “Exceptional Achievement.” Owen was predeceased by his brothers Richard and Robert, and is survived by his sister Margaret. He leaves behind his wife Alison, the joy and ‘improver of his life’ of 66 years, as well as his children Jane, Nancy (John) and David. He is very proud of his 7 grandchildren Christopher (Amanda) and Ryan Bruchet, Steven and Jenny Rea and Grace, David and George Owens.