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It is only fitting that our stubborn Paul waited until the last rays of sunshine fell out of the sky following a warm and sunny May long weekend before he moved on to greener pastures. His warrior like battle with Multiple Myeloma began nine years ago and despite it robbing him physically of the ability to do the things he loved, he lived those years packed with adventure and quality time well spent with family. Born in Nanaimo on June 7, 1962, he was predeceased by his father (Kenneth Ronald) and his Grampy (Douglas William McLennan). Paul is survived by his mother Kathie (Rob), wife Jill, siblings Ken (Colleen), Gail (Doug), and Neil (Krista), children Chelsea (Kyle) Blair (Curtis), Griffin and Reece, grandchildren Kendra, Wyatt, Carson, Abigail and Robbie, father in law Edward, many nieces and nephews and the extended Fougner family. Paul spent a carefree and idyllic childhood in his beloved Westholme. He regaled his children with his many stories of growing up in a household full of pets and fondly reminisced about the numerous adventures he and his siblings got up to. He attended Somenos and Mt. Prevost Schools and this is where his passion for sport was ignited. He would think nothing of attending practice at Mt. Prevost then walking back to Westholme. No easy feat considering the distance needed to travel. The shelves of the Rukus’s Westholme house were adorned with all of Paul’s well-earned trophies. Following in his father’s footsteps, Paul joined the Crofton Volunteer Fire Department at a very young age and dedicated twenty plus years to serving the community. Four of those years were as Fire Chief, and it is no surprise, that he was highly regarded as a fair and caring leader. In most recent years, he selflessly gave of his time to coach and guide many children, most notably, with the Cowichan Valley Soccer Association, Scouts Canada and Duncan Baseball. Paul made a career change in 2002 and successfully completed his Industrial Instrumentation Apprenticeship at BCIT made possible by his employer Catalyst Paper. He went on to enjoy not only the challenge of his trade, but more importantly, the camaraderie he had with all the guys in his department. It was the banter and practical jokes he missed most when his illness forced him off work in 2015. There was nothing he cherished more than being on the soccer pitch with the ‘old guys’ in the fall and on the diamond with his beloved Oak in the spring. He forged many a lifelong friendship through sport and his spirited presence and passion to compete will carry on through the stories and laughs we will all continue to share. Paul adored watching his four children competing on the sports fields, a tasty amber ale, and the sun on his face. He was also an avid runner and couldn’t wait to lace up his runners and hit the pavement. It was not unusual for Paul to jump out of the RV on some random highway during one of our many camping trips only to have us pick him up five miles down the road. Paul would not want us to shed tears but would instead want us to celebrate as if the Cowboys had won the Super bowl, Tottenham the Champions League, Red Sox the World Series and the Bruins the Stanley Cup! Our “Ruk” is now free to run marathons, ski miles of powder, make a ‘clean’ tackle on the pitch and paint the corner for a third strike. We will gather together to celebrate an amazing man and a life well lived on Friday June 9 at 3:00 pm at Crooks Hall, Brentwood College School. Donations in Paul’s name can be made to CVSA or to the MS Society in honour of his buddy Gerry. A special thank you to our amazing doctor Maggie Watt who was more of a friend and confidant to Paul than what would be deemed the normal physician/patient relationship.



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