ANTHONY (TONY) WILLIAM BREKELMANS SR.

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ANTHONY (TONY) WILLIAM BREKELMANS SR. September 19, 1917 March 25, 2008 Tony, beloved husband and soul mate of his loving wife Dona, passed away with his family by his side. Tony was born in Little Chute, Wisconsin on September 19, 1917. Nine months later he moved to Winnipeg with his parents, Agnes and Theodore and his beloved grandmother Helena Neusbauam. Tony joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and proudly served his country in the Second World War as a pioneer Radar Technician in North Africa and India. At the end of the war Tony returned to St. Paul's College in Winnipeg to complete his education. There he met the love of his life and his future wife, Donalda O'Connor. They were married on July 1, 1948. Tony's first passion was teaching, and he and Dona moved to Lewis Manitoba where Tony taught at a one-room schoolhouse. They formed close relationships there and would take their children and grandchildren back to this community to introduce them to the wonder of nature. Tony and Dona returned to Winnipeg where Tony became a dedicated civil servant working in the Federal Board of Grain Commission until his retirement in 1984. Following his retirement Tony returned to his first love; he tutored and mentored students at Monsignor James K. MacIsaac School. Tony and Dona gave life to, and Tony is survived by, Ted (Debbie), Bill, Cathy, Rosie (Carol), Helen (Phil), Pat (Paul), Joseph (Shelby) and Charles (Pamela), as well as his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tony will be fondly remembered by his community at The Waverley where he and Dona have resided for the last few years. We will all miss his wisdom, his patience, his courage and most of all, the twinkle in his eyes whenever he smiled. Papa has gone to join his beloved grandmother, his parents, and his siblings Charles and Helen in heaven. Evening Prayer and visitation services will be held at St. Ignatius Church on Thursday, March 27 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Ignatius at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 28. Reception and interment will follow. Papa's six grandsons will honour him by acting as pallbearers. LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements, 775-2220.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 27, 2008