JEFFREY MCCANNELL

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JEFFREY MCCANNELL Following a weekend of celebration and reunion with family, Jeffrey William Kenneth McCannell passed away unexpectedly in Victoria, BC. Jeff enjoyed a wonderful motor trip West with his family and attended the wedding of his niece. Early Monday, July 17, 2006, Jeff suffered a heart attack. Despite extensive efforts to save his life by staff in the Cardiac Care Unit of the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, Jeff passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, July 20, 2006, surrounded by his family and close friends. Jeff is survived by his beloved wife Lorraine (Labossiere); son Brian; daughter Lindsay; parents, Ken and Fay McCannell; sisters, Marilyn Hall (David), Kathryn McCannell (Grant Mountain), Jane McCannell (Joe VanBelleghem), Lesley McCannell (Jack Traa); mother-in-law Fleurette Labossiere; brother-in-law Gerry (JoAnn); sister-in-law Gisele Mospanchuk (Buddy); brother-in-law Guy (Rosanne); numerous nieces and nephews and close friends. Born on May 30, 1958 at Pilot Mound, MB, Jeff grew up on the family farm where he was a great help to his dad in many phases of the grain and livestock farm operation. As a member of the Pilot Mound 4-H Beef Club, Jeff raised, trained and showed a calf for many years in the local cattle show. He graduated from Pilot Mound Collegiate in 1976, later entering the University of Manitoba Faculty of Agriculture where he graduated from the Agriculture Diploma program in 1980. Jeff became a Crown Lands Representative for Manitoba Department of Agriculture taking a position in Dauphin for a short time, before moving to the Neepawa offices. Jeff married Lorraine Labossiere of Somerset in 1982. Son Brian was born in 1986 and daughter Lindsay in 1990. Jeff was a wonderful dad, fully supportive of all of Brian and Lindsay's activities. He was extensively involved in coaching both baseball and hockey and has played a leading role in the development of young athletes in Neepawa with a philosophy that every child's sports involvement should be a positive one. Jeff loved the outdoors and family summer weekends were spent on the road visiting favourite camping and fishing sites. He also enjoyed annual fishing and hunting trips with his friends. Some of Jeff's greatest joy in life came through his participation in sports - baseball and hockey in Pilot Mound, fastball with the Mariapolis Blues and hockey with the Neepawa No-Stars seniors' team. Jeff spent many happy hours in his woodworking shop, pursuing another favourite hobby. Here he created beautiful articles for family and friends, also teaching Brian and Lindsay woodworking skills. A man noted for his quick wit and one-liners , Jeff will be remembered always by his loving family, many good friends, teammates and co-workers. To honour his memory, and if friends so desire, donations may be made through the Neepawa Branch of the Royal Bank to the Jeff McCannell Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to a Neepawa Collegiate graduate each year. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m. at the Yellowhead Centre, 175 Mountain Ave. in Neepawa. Friends are invited to post a memory or message at the web site: www.jeffmccannellmemorial.com. White's Funeral Home in care of arrangements 476-2848.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2006