ROBERTS, Dennis. June 4, 1925 - May 13, 2008. Dennis passed away peacefully in Surrey Memorial Hospital on May 13, 2008 with family members at his bedside. He was predeceased by Betty, his loving wife for 57 years. He is survived by his sons Barry (Marylin) and Andrew (Manako) and his daughter Gail (Elliott) and his grandchildren Sarah, Kimberly, Mark, Stephen and Austin and by many relatives in England.

A Merchant Navy officer in World War II, Dennis spent 13 years as a newspaper reporter in London, England and Vancouver. In 1958 he left journalism to become public relations officer of the Community Chest and Councils (forerunner of the United Way.) In 1966 he became the first public relations director for Simon Fraser University. A belief that SFU could become a great university helped him survive years of campus "unrest" and he worked hard in using his public relations skills to restore community confidence in the university.

Dennis was an accomplished writer and painter. He authored numerous articles and books including "I'll Climb Mount Everest Alone", the story of an Englishman who died in a solo attempt on the mountain.

Once labeled an "ambassador of good cheer", his sense of humour and enjoyment of life was with him until the end. He was most thankful for the care and attention he received by the many doctors and nurses who he became friends with at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

A celebration of Dennis' life will be held at RiverGlen Estates, 20600-53A Avenue, 91原创 at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. For those who wish, donations may be made to World Vision for famine relief or to 91原创 Wildlife Critters Association.