Fernando Rullan

Fernando “Jun” Rullan Jr. passed away peacefully at home on the afternoon of January 18th, 2017 surrounded by love. He was 74 years old.

Fernando is survived by his loving wife, Janice Rullan, his daughter Maricel Cabutotan (Fred, deceased), his son, Frederick (Vangie) Rullan, his daughter, Janifer (Chris) Calvez, and his son Jonathan Rullan (Cindy Solanovic), his grandchildren, Khristella Mae (Joseph) Bautista, Kevin& Kenn Cabutotan, Froilan, Frederique, Frenchin, Francine, & Fernando Rullan, Janna & Nash Calvez and Nik Solanovic, and his great grandchild, Josh Elfred. There are also many family members and friends in Canada, England and the Philippines.

He is predeceased by his father and mother, Fernando & Mauricia Rullan, his father and mother-in-law, John & Molly Nash, and son-in-law, Fred Cabutotan.

Fernando Jr. was born in the Philippines in 1942, three months before his father was killed in the Battle of Bataan. He remained an only child to his loving mother in a small village. He was fortunate to be educated, and did very well in school. He trained to be a Medical Lab Technician, married, and had a beautiful daughter, Maricel and son, Frederick. Because there were limited lab positions in the Philippines, he sent out many applications to places in the US and Canada, with the intent that his family would follow.

He acquired a position with the Roman Catholic hospital in Smithers, BC, and came to Canada when he was 25. Over the distance, the marriage ended and it was heart breaking for him to realize that his children would not follow at that time. There was a Filipino community in Smithers in which he found support and fellowship with.

Meanwhile, a young British nurse in England thought she would go on an adventure to Canada with the intent of staying for a year. She arrived in Smithers, BC to serve in the Roman Catholic Hospital with a friend. Janice and Fernando met and made a plan to live in every province in Canada. Fernando secured a postion in Pincher Creek in 1969, they were married in Lethbridge, and had daughter, Janifer and then son, Jonathan. They ended up staying and making a wonderful life in Pincher Creek to this day.

Fernando worked in the laboratory in St. Vincent’s hospital, performing lab tests which included bleeding patient’s family members for crossmatch testing and transfusion. He eventually changed positions to be in charge of Materials Management at the Pincher Creek Hospital, ordering and documenting all of the hospital supplies. Years later, that position was eliminated due to centralization, and he eventually made his way back into the lab as a phlebotomist, where he worked until his retirement in 2008. From what we are hearing, he definitely made the difficult experience of having blood drawn, as pleasant as he could, and was highly regarded by many.

Fernando and Janice have always been very active with the Anglican Church and Fernando has served on the Vestry for many years. The community they met there became their Canadian family.

Fernando loved his racket sports. He lived to play tennis in the summer and badminton in the winter. He served for many years in both the Tennis Club and Badminton Club as president, and loved to share his love for the sports, encouraging many people to try them out, including many years competing in or organizing teams for the Alberta Summer Games.

Fernando loved and supported his family, both near and far, and took many photographs documenting his adventures and travels. He travelled to family gatherings both in England and the Philippines as well as other places in the world throughout his lifetime. He loved to watch tennis, and hockey (Flames fan), camp with friends, garden, picnic, spend time outdoors, and watch the WWE. He was an avid follower of current affairs, insisting he watch the news on all the different channels. He enjoyed people and was always encouraging to all of us. He was loved by many.

He was especially joyful when his daughter, Maricel, was finally able to come to Canada from the Philippines, in 2008, and then when her three children and grandchild came in 2015. To have them here with him meant the world to him. Unfortunately, he was unable to hug his son, Frederick and family again before his passing, but because of technology, was able to talk to them every week face to face.

Our husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather was a caring and gentle man, who will be missed be all who knew him.

A Memorial Service will be held on February 18th, 2017 at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Anglican Church (817 Kettles Street, Pincher Creek). Donations can be made to the Windy Slopes Health Foundation (Box 2554, Pincher Creek, T0K 1W0) supporting vital heath care needs, in his name or to the charity of choice.

Many thanks to all the friends and family and health care workers, who have graciously supported the Rullan family. We are sincerely grateful to be a part of an amazing, supportive community full of amazing family and friends.

Charitable donations may be made to:

Windy Slopes Health Foundation
P.O. Box 2554, Pincher Creek AB T0K 1W0
Web: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/windy-slopes-health-foundation/