December 11, 1935 – September 24, 2025
Christopher (Chris) Rose was born in Muswell Hill, North London (Great Britain) along with his twin, Caroline and sister Prue Hildebrand, to Duncan Rose and Marjorie Rose (Sonnenberg). He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Gine Rose (Tideman); his children Martin, Nicholas (Monica), and Sarah (Don); and his grandchildren Hannah, Ben (Erin, with children Bowen and Maddox), Megan (Mark, with children Jasper and Cooper), Mathew, Louis, Luciano and Cyrus.
Chris was raised in Mutare, Zimbabwe and attended Plumtree, a boys’ boarding school. He later studied at St. John’s College in York, England, where he completed his teacher training. He went on to earn a specialty qualification in teaching students who are deaf and hard of hearing at Manchester University, followed by a master’s degree in education from Birmingham University.
Chris then pursued a career in Education for over 40 years as a teacher, vice principal and principal on three continents and teaching special education to teachers in university settings in Trinidad, Republic of Armenia, Vancouver and Kamloops.
Even after retiring from teaching, he remained deeply involved in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees, including three terms on the Kamloops Board of Education, the Social Planning Council, the Mayor’s Task Force for People with Disabilities, the United Way Cabinet, and the ASK Wellness Board of Directors. Most notably, he was asked to restart the Giant Steps program for children with Autism, later renamed in his honor – the Chris Rose Centre for Autism. He was also deeply involved in his church, St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he served as a warden, visited patients as a hospital volunteer, and contributed to the Out of the Cold program.
He was the recipient of many awards including, the Order of British Columbia, an honorary doctorate degree from Thompson Rivers University, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal, the Owl Award from Kamloops School District and City of Kamloops Centennial Medal and Pioneer Spirit Award.
Chris loved spending time with his family, happily stepping into roles such as Easter Bunny or Santa Claus when the grandchildren were young – always ready for an excuse to play. An ardent traveller, Hornby Island became a favourite for family holidays, cousin pranks and group photographs in the sunset. Dinner parties and gatherings of friends saw many an evening spent around the dinner table in joyful fellowship, or on the walking trails in the Walkie Talkie club.
The family would like to thank everyone for their wishes and kindness and a special thank you to the medical staff at Kamloops Seniors Village, Royal Inland Hospital and Overlander Long-Term Care for their unwavering care and attention to Chris in his final chapter of life.
The family asks for donations to be made to the Chris Rose Centre for Autism, in lieu of flowers.
A memorial service will be held shortly with details to follow.
Links to articles, audio recordings and videos about Chris Rose:
- ‘A heart for inclusion’: Friends, colleagues pay tribute to Kamloops educator Chris Rose (25 Sep 2025, includes video)
- Beloved Kamloops educator Chris Rose dead at 89 (25 Sep 2025)
- Chris Rose passes away at 89 (25 Sep 2025)
- Chris Rose passes away at 89 (26 Sep 2025, audio recording)
- Love is still in the air at Kamloops Seniors Village (14 Feb 2024, includes video)
About Chris Rose (from our About Us page)
The Centre was named after Christopher Rose. For 50 years, Christopher Rose has served British Columbians, young and old, with the greatest distinction as teacher, school principal and school trustee. His greatest focus has been to support those with special needs.
As an advocate for children with special needs and after he retired from the School District in 1996, Mr. Rose accepted the position of Executive Director of Giant Steps West. He rebuilt the Giant Steps West into a stable organization and a strong influence in our community.
Mr. Rose founded the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism Foundation, which has continued to be instrumental in raising funds for the Centre. Mr. Rose also organized biennial international conferences on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Mr. Rose has also served over 10 years as an elected member of the City of Kamloops Mayor’s Task Force for People with Disabilities and has travelled to Armenia several times to help develop programs and supports for special needs children in that country.
Mr. Rose has earned many awards including the Rotary International Scholarship for Teachers of the Handicapped, and the Hazel Davy Award for Outstanding Service to Handicapped Children. Christopher Rose is an Order of British Columbia recipient.
In 2010 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Thompson Rivers University and in 2012, received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.