JAMES SPENCE SHIACH

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JAMES SPENCE SHIACH, D.F.C. Peacefully on August 16, 2015, our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away at Riverwood Square. Spence was born in Winnipeg on January 12, 1918 to Easton and Bel Shiach, who predeceased him in 1958 and 1964. He and his wife Ferelith (Foo) (nee Culbert) celebrated 66 years of marriage until her passing in 2009. Spence is survived by son Bob (Colleen), granddaughter Kathryn of Smithers, BC; son Don (Georgie), granddaughter Kristin (Jordan Sobkowicz) and great-granddaughter Emily Ferelith, granddaughter Allison (Kevin Lohrenz), and granddaughter Katie; daughter Cathy (Neil Feir), granddaughter Nancy (Eric Froystad) and great-grandson Henrik James, and grandson Jeffrey Feir (Larissa) of Winnipeg; and cousin Janet Scott in Scotland. Spence retired from Swift Canadian as Controller in June 1980 after 44 years of service. He served in the R.C.A.F from 1941 to 1945. He did a tour of duty in Britain as a pilot on coastal command. During that time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for courage and resolution worthy of high praise. Spence took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He loved gardening and especially his roses. He enjoyed golfing in summer and curling in winter. He was a member of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club for 33 years. He has been a member of Fort Rouge Curling Club since 1949 and was deeply involved in the building of the new curling club in 1959. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Fort Rouge Curling Club, Fort Rouge Seniors Recreational Club, The Manitoba Curling Association, and the Manitoba Curling Club Past President's Association. He was president of the Fort Rouge Curling Club (1964 to 1965) and the Manitoba Curling Association (1979 to 1980). Spence took great joy from the associations that were made through Pala Camp and Pala Minaki Club in the 1940s and 1950s. His years of involvement in curling and golf added many more lifelong friendships. Family time was very important and he was thankful when family could be together. His second home was the Fort Rouge Curling Club where he enjoyed many years of curling as well as playing cribbage and duplicate bridge. Spence had many accomplishments in his life, but what he will be remembered for most is how he was always a true gentleman. He took a genuine interest in the people he met and had a unique ability to make everyone he talked with feel very important. He was highly regarded by his family and peers and at 97 years old, still had a remarkable memory. To many, Spence is considered a hero. From his D.F.C. in the War to the love he gave to all around him, the word hero suits him very well. We will all cherish the many years of conversations we had with him. We know you and Mom are dancing together in heaven. Thank you to the staff and many friends at Riverwood Square for the past six years. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fort Rouge Curling Club in the "Dan Hildebrand Lounge", 750 Daly Street South at Morley.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 22, 2015