Respected Okanagan Falls politician dies after battle with cancer

Well known and respected Okanagan Falls resident Tom Styffe has died.

Styffe passed away on Dec. 22 at Penticton Regional Hospital after he became ill with cancer in December 2018. He was 60 years old.

He served for several terms as alternate director for Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Regional District’s Area D, also serving as board chair for Okanagan College’s board of governors.

Present regional district Area D director Ron Obirek said Styffe was "a very amazing person, serving for three successive directors as an alternate.”

“He was just a nice guy to talk to. I just assumed he would become the next director for Area D after Tom Siddon but he told us he was busy doing other things,” Obirek said today, Jan 3. “I believe he had served as alternate for 17 years. I would have supported him to run as director had he wished."

“He was a tremendous asset. He had a wealth of knowledge, he was well respected and well regarded and could communicate with people.”

An acknowledgement of Styffe’s service to the regional district will take place at the Jan. 9 board meeting.

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