LAWRENCE (LAURIE) MARCHANT

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LAWRENCE (LAURIE) MARCHANT Laurie passed away at Betel Home in Selkirk on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Born to Lionel and Annie Marchant on May 8, 1914, he grew up on Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg. He was a very active person in his younger years playing hockey and baseball. He attained his grade 12 at University College in Winnipeg. Laurie's skill at playing hockey allowed him to go to Scotland for 13 years as a player and coach of the Dundee Tigers. His team won the Scottish Hockey League Championship in 1948. When he returned to Winnipeg, he worked for the Canadian National Railways as a baggage handler and later as a ticket seller. He continued to coach hockey around Manitoba in the Treherne, Holland, and Rathwell area during the early 1950's. Laurie was a member of the Elmwood Curling Club for many years. Laurie married Anne Hamm (Earle) originally from Treherne in 1969 and they lived in Windsor Park in Winnipeg. During their early years together, Anne and Laurie enjoyed spending their leisure hours fishing at various lakes in the eastern part of Manitoba until they built their fishing camp at Bird Lake in Nopiming Provincial Park. Many happy times were spent there. Laurie retired from Canadian National Railway at the age of 60 and then he pursued his passion for horse racing as an owner/trainer for the next 20 years. He made several trips to the Winner's Circle at the Assiniboia Downs which helped justify the many countless hours required to train horses. He and Anne moved to Lions Manor in Selkirk in 1999 and he continued his quest for the Winner's Circle for a short time. Laurie was predeceased by his parents and sister Evelyn. Besides his wife Anne, Laurie is survived by three step-children: Joan Anderson and her children Kathy (Dave), Mike, Barb (Ben), and Christine (Darin); Lois Mullen and her daughter Kim (Ralph); and Gerry Hamm (Irene) and their sons Jason (Margaret), Chris (Magda), and David (Tara). He is also survived by six great-grandchildren (Patrick and Kayleigh, Will and Steven, Jack and Katie). The family would like to thank Dr. Justin Walters and his staff of the St. Boniface Hospital's kidney dialysis outpatient unit for their care over the years as well as Drs. Demsas and Zoppa who provide services to the Betel Home. A very special thank you to all the staff of Betel Home for their dedicated and compassionate care of Laurie over the past 15 months. At Laurie's request cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 29, 2008