JOHN DAVID WHITECROSS

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JOHN DAVID WHITECROSS Born: February 12, 1919 Died: March 30, 2005 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Whitecross who died suddenly the morning of March 30 at the Victoria General Hospital after a brief illness. John was born in Winnipeg on February 12, 1919, the second son of James and Isabella Whitecross. He was predeceased by his parents and by his brother, James Whitecross, D.F.C. John is survived by his cousin Betty Wood (Jack) of Qualicum Beach, BC, and by his cousin Barb Bodaly (Carman) of Ladysmith, BC, and by his beloved friend Frances Lowe of Stonewall and Frances' family. John attended Robert H. Smith School in his neighbourhood and then St. John's Cathedral Boys School for his senior years. During the war, John served with the Royal Canadian Navy in both the eastern and western commands and in Newfoundland. After the war John attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a degree in Architecture. He was employed by the City of Winnipeg and worked as a designer and planner at City Hall. John had a natural love of the outdoors. He and his brother had wonderfully happy holidays at Camp Morton, at the family cottage at the Lake of the Woods and at his dad's hunting lodge at Delta Marsh. John became an expert fisherman and admired the best lures, the best rods and the best canoes. He and his friend Ernie Cameron would take a canoe by floatplane to the far-north rivers that flow into Hudson Bay and fish for speckled trout in a silently beautiful wilderness. John became interested in target shooting. He joined the Cameron Rifle Association and with expert coaching soon became a member of the provincial team that competed in the Nationals in Ottawa. After several trips to Ottawa, he was asked to join the team to represent Canada in Bisley, England. There, with skill and good luck, he was chosen to be a member of The Queen's One Hundred. For many years, John competed in the sport of target shooting internationally - in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Trinidad, Barbados, South America and the United States. John was a creative problem solver and could fix anything. He had an exceptional sense of humour and exercised it to the end. He was always a gentle man. There will be a graveside farewell at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22 at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB, followed by a reception at the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in honour of John may be made to the Sunshine Fund of Winnipeg or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 08, 2005