Al Raine, first and only mayor of Sun Peaks, B.C., dead at 83 after battle with ALS
Al Raine, a beloved figure in the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality community, passed away at the age of 83 on Saturday, just one day after stepping down from his role as mayor. The municipality announced his peaceful passing, surrounded by his family.
In May, Raine revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating disease that causes progressive paralysis. With no known cure, Raine faced the challenges of the illness with grace and courage. He leaves behind his wife, Nancy Greene Raine, a former Canadian senator and Olympic alpine skier, as well as their two children, Charley and Willy.
Raine had the distinction of being the first and only mayor of Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality since its establishment in 2010. In a heartfelt letter to the community upon his resignation, Raine shared his thoughts on living with ALS and expressed gratitude for the full life he had lived.
Before his tenure as mayor, Raine had a successful career as a skier and ski coach. He later transitioned into ski area development and policy consulting, eventually becoming the executive director of the Whistler Resort Association in 1981. Alongside his wife, Nancy Greene Raine, he played a pivotal role in establishing Nancy Greene’s Olympic Lodge in Whistler Village and later Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge in Sun Peaks.
Darcy Alexander, CEO of Sun Peaks Resort and a close friend of Raine’s, described him as a visionary who tirelessly worked to realize the potential of Sun Peaks. Raine’s passion for skiing never wavered, and he even donned his skis one last time just days before his passing.
A celebration of life is scheduled for January 15 at the Sun Peaks Centre to honor Raine’s legacy and contributions to the community. His dedication, integrity, and love for Sun Peaks will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched.
