From the first day of service in 1977 right through to 2000, Stan Morgan led the charge as the General Manager for Kelowna Bus and Transportation Inc. in Kelowna. But he didn’t just lead the Kelowna team in title, he was also extremely passionate about public transportation.
“My dad started out driving for BC Hydro in Vancouver in the 1960s, and also drove school buses for Don Graham who had contracts throughout the province”, said Kathy Morgan-Litke. “When Don won the contract to start up the Kelowna system, he asked my dad to be his General Manager because my mom’s family was there. It was also a career that came by him honestly because of his family connection to public transit.”
As Kathy mentioned, Stan wasn’t the first in his family to build a long and prosperous career in public transit. His grandfather (ticket sales manager) and his father (street car operator) both had long public transit careers in Vancouver for BC Electric, now known as BC Hydro. As well, Stan’s aunt was a ticket seller and his Uncle Ivor Neil was Vice President of BC Electric, and led the change over from street cars to buses. It’s safe to say public transportation was in Stan’s blood.
“It didn’t stop with my dad, either. My sister and I both worked along-side him in Kelowna as the fourth generation! I started when I was 15 working part-time in the office on weekends, going full-time starting at 18 until my mid-20’s, and my older sister Lisa began cleaning the offices as a teen, and became the Office Manager from 1993 until 2001. We also both have fond memories of not only changing the fare boxes, but then walking wagons of the full fare boxes down to the bank along Bernard Avenue with my dad.”
Stan passed away on August 14, 2021 at the age of 83 after a courageously fought battle with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare and chronic auto-immune disorder. A Celebration of Life was held in his honour on September 11 at the Willow Park Church in Kelowna. In special recognition of his love for and impact on public transit in Kelowna, Stan and his family were transported to the church in a specially chartered BC Transit bus.
“It only seemed natural that with most of the family coming in for the service and with all of us together, that we take dad on his final bus ride through Kelowna, past many of his favourite places, including the first transit shop/yard, and through the streets of the city that he poured so much of his time into. We also talked to the union, whose President Al Peressini was hired by my dad many years back, to ask if we could bypass the contract and have my brother-in-law Nick Antonopoulos drive the bus, since he was hired by my dad, and has been driving in Kelowna since 1994. Al kindly and readily agreed, and Nick was honoured. To them both, we are so very grateful.”
When Kathy contacted the City of Kelowna and First Transit with this special request, she was met with warm enthusiasm, as everyone involved wanted to accommodate the request out of respect for a man that changed the face of public transit in the region.
“We were excited to participate in honouring a man who contributed so much to building the foundation of what Kelowna Regional Transit is today,” said Mike Kittmer, City of Kelowna Transit Service Coordinator. “Stan’s contributions to the community go well beyond transit where he served as General Manager for 23 years. Kelowna is the special place that it is today in part due to his service and commitment to our city.”
“BC Transit and our operating partners aren’t just about buses and providing safe, reliable public transportation. We also take pride in supporting our communities,” said Stephen Anderson, Director of Regional Operations for BC Transit. “Stan Morgan represented the organization tremendously in finding so many different ways to positively impact that region.”
Stan wasn’t just about buses. He loved Kelowna and was actively involved in all facets of life in his community. Over the years, Stan was the Director of the Central Okanagan Emergency Plan, served on the Kelowna Airport Advisory Board, with the Kelowna and District Safety Council, the Kelowna Community Development Society, and was nominated for Man of the Year many times. Stan was also one of the founding members of Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers, a member of the Morningside Rotary Club, a long time Mason and member of the Masonic Lodge and Gizeh Shriners of BC and the Yukon.
“Community service was really important to my dad, and it was something his father and grandfather instilled in him,” said Kathy. “He thrived on it and loved it. It was also his social connection to community leaders and members.”
Even with COVID-19 protocols in place limiting the capacity, the turnout for Stan Morgan’s Celebration of Life was a reminder of just how impactful he was on the people in his life. More than 100 people showed up in person, with countless others streaming the service online, to pay their respects to a man that truly did make his community a better place for everyone.
“When you put everything together, starting in that little office in 1977, you realize that my dad left an incredible legacy, building up a transit system from roughly 30 people to what it is today. I don’t know if he even fully realized the impact that he had.”
BC Transit thanks Stan Morgan for his long time commitment to public transportation and community, and offers our condolences to his family and friends. His legacy will forever live on in Kelowna and we wish his family the best.
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