Rinaldo Peter "Rex" Vian was born in Essex, Ontario, Canada on July 15, 1924. Rex was a star student at the Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology. After graduation, Rex relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where he was a highly valued designer at Cardinal Industries. Rex was a devoted husband to Ruth for 25 years, and during their marriage, the two had five children: Kathleen, Toni, Mark, Corey, and Martin. After Rex's separation from Ruth, he discovered the love of his life in a co-worker, Camille Renouard, a woman he first met when she was only seven years old and the friend of his oldest daughter. True soulmates, Rex and Camille loved and adored each other and knew, later on, when their paths crossed again, that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Rex proposed to Camille on their second date, which was 17 years after that first meeting, and gave her a beautiful antique Italian silver and diamond engagement ring. Of course, she said "yes" immediately because Rex and Camille shared a once-in-a-lifetime love. They never let a day go by without telling each other, and showing each other, how much the other was adored. The time they spent together was filled with adventure and joy, and they shared everything, no matter how intimate. They truly became one in spirit. It was no surprise, when, in 1972, Camille became pregnant. In 1973, Camille, with Rex by her side, gave birth to Rex's sixth and youngest child, Christian Peter Rex Vian. Christian and Camille were the center and light of Rex's life, and both parents were totally in love with baby Christian. He is the child most like Rex, and he shares, not only Rex's looks, but his sweetness, his ready smile, and his genuine charm as well. With a trip to Italy on the horizon, Rex and Camille were planning their wedding and celebrating their life together with their year-old son. But, sadly, Rex died on April 5, 1974. Rex was highly creative and intelligent, a man of sensitivity and passion, who felt a great responsibility to those he loved. He was liberal in politics, an advocate for women's rights, a firm believer in healthcare for all, and an environmentalist. Rex had an infectious laugh, a ready smile, and a real sense of fun. He was very proud of his Italian roots, something he passed along to all of his children, especially young Christian. All who knew Rex loved and admired him, and none more so than Christian and Camille. Though they miss Rex's physical presence in their daily lives, his spirit lives in their hearts and fills each day with love and joy. They will love him forever, with the same deep and abiding passion with which he loved them.
