Rodney Robert Deans

In Memorial

Rodney Robert Deans

Rodney –known to all as Rod - was born in Mission BC on Apr 11, 1938 to Robert and Bea (Elmore) Deans. He was their first son and his brother Arnold “Arnie” was born 2 1/2 years later.   He went home to his Savior on June 7th 2026, after more than 2 ½ years in Long Term Care at Elim Village in Surrey, where he received wonderful care when no longer able to stand nor walk.

Rod’s dad, Robert was involved in logging so Rod's first years were spent around  Dudney/Derosh area, then Coquitlam. They came back to Robert's home town of Aldergrove where his widowed grandmother, Christine Shortreed-Deans had given Robert a piece of land on the very northwest corner the homestead which her father, Robert Shortreed had shared with her years earlier (after her husband Charles Deans, only son of Albert Deans, the first Magistrate of Langley had died early leaving her with 7 young children to raise). By this time Rod was ready to go to the old Aldergrove school down on Fraser Highway. 

Rod's mother, Bea was ill and passed away when Rod was just nine years old. Rod's maternal grandmother, Edith Elmore lived with and cared for Rod and his brother for some time while his dad was away logging.   In his teen years Rod worked for Ross' Automotive after school and weekends along with his dad, Bob. After graduating high-school, Rod worked with Quiring Motors, taking his Heavy-Duty Mechanics training.   He then went up to the Nass River Logging where he spent 9 years as a mechanic.  He came home as his dad Bob, was ill and he cared for him until he, passed away in 1987 after a year in the Langley Hospital Long Term Care.   

Rod met Ada Shillinglaw in 1987 and they were married in 1994. Rod always kept a large garden with lots of fruit trees and flowers. The last piece of the original Shortreed Homestead, first settled in 1885 was sold in 2000, and Rod and Ada moved to Langley (close to Newland's golf course, where his great grandfather Albert Deans had lived in the 1920's). They later moved to a condo in Langley overlooking the Nicomekl River. Rod loved to travel and he and Ada travelled across Canada, especially Quebec to see Jewel, Luc and the grandchildren, and the western United States. 

Rod was involved with the Aldergrove Elks, following in his ancestors’ footsteps, even becoming Exalted Ruler for a period. He was also always pleased to be involved with his LHS Alumni Class of '56. He became a member of Victory Baptist church and attended faithfully until his last illness. His final 2 ½ years were as a resident of Elim Villages, Harrison West Long Term care facility, where he was lovingly cared for.   

Rod leaves to morn his passing his wife, Ada and his brother, Arnie and wife, Colleen of West Kelowna. His stepchildren; Neal Fink and wife Monica, Noel Fink, Jim Fink and wife Lorraine, in Alberta, Jewel Fink and husband Luc Pleau of Quebec. Grand children; Niall Fink and wife Katie, Reid Fink and wife Monique, Mackenzie Crawford and wife Aidyn, (and their 3 children Esmé, Henry and Cedric); Danielle Fink, Jayanna Pleau and husband, Simon Moreau (and their 3 children Théo, Rosie and Ella), Loic Pleau and Cloé. Also numerous Deans, Bleaumenhaur, Hall, Elmore, Burden and Tomas cousins.