LESTER STAATS

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LESTER STAATS It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lester Staats on September 26, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great- grandfather and friend. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Anne and his younger brother Oscar. Left to cherish his memory are his son Ronnie and daughter Sharon; son-in-law Michael; his grandchildren, Sonja, Mark, Chris and wife Andrea, Kym and husband Lincoln; and his great-grandchildren, Brennen and Danya. He was born on May 24, 1920, near Hodgeville, Saskatchewan. In 1941 he married Anne. In 1943 he joined the army and was attached to the Lake Superior Regiment in England and Europe. It was during this enrollment that he received training as a machinist and gun-fitter - trades that would stand in him in good stead for the rest of his life. Upon the end of the war, Lester worked as a mine mechanic at a number of mines in Northern Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario before finally settling with his family in Winnipeg in 1952. Here, he wound up working at a number of occupations before obtaining employment as a Carman/Welder at the CNR. Lester was an amazingly talented tradesman, possessing an amazing spectrum of knowledge and skill in the areas of mechanical repair, metal work, welding and electrical. There was virtually nothing that Lester couldn't fix. Upon retirement from the CNR, Lester discovered the second greatest love of his life - the International Toastmasters Organization. Lester embraced his role as a toastmaster with incredible zeal, rising eventually to the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster, having received numerous awards and accolades, along with founding a local Toastmaster Club at Grace Lutheran Church. Throughout his time with Toastmasters, Lester mentored and coached many new aspiring Toastmasters. To them he was a role model and friend. In the last year of his life Lester published a book entitled Opening Meetings, Opening Minds , which was his legacy to fellow Toastmasters in how to open and conduct meetings. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30 at Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberly Avenue with private interment of ashes to follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations in Lester's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 28, 2009