AMIE HENRY DECOCK

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AMIE HENRY DECOCK Amie Henry Decock, 83, passed away on September 25, 2015 at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg. He would have turned 84 on October 31. Amie was the only child born to Fernand August Decock and Ann Carrette, both of Belgian immigrant families. Tragically, both Amie's mother and father died during his youth, at which time he moved in with his grandparents, Emile and Elodie Decock on Marian Street in St. Boniface. Having been an excellent student throughout school, often ranked first in his class, Amie had to drop out of Norwood High School to work full-time to help support his family following his father's death. While working in construction, Amie saw an advertisement for a position as a junior clerk at a small customs brokerage firm in Winnipeg, George H. Young & Sons. He was interviewed for the position, but was told the position required a high school diploma. Amie returned the following day with his report cards and was immediately hired by the company's founder, Don Young, as the company's ninth employee. Amie spent his entire career at George H. Young and went on to become the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the now, very successful and nationally respected two hundred-person company. Amie always considered his many colleagues to be family and it was a great source of pride to Amie that one of his grandsons, Cody Loewen, recently followed Amie into the customs brokerage business at George H. Young. A few years after Amie started his career at George H. Young, his dear friend Harry Holmes set him up on a blind date with a young nurse. That blind date, Laverne Briese, from Neepawa, would join Amie in marriage a year later in 1956. Laverne and Amie went on to have a wonderful life and many adventures together celebrating their children, Kenneth, Murray, and Beth Anne, as well as encouraging each other in their passions, which for Amie included golf, watching sports, doing crosswords, and walking and hiking the trails and mountains in Arizona. It was their Grand Canyon hike together, in their late 60's that they considered to be a highlight of their life together, though they continued to walk and hike regularly until 2014. Amie and Laverne celebrated 58 years of marriage before Laverne passed in January of 2015. Amie thoughtfully cared for Laverne at home throughout her brief illness and they continued to find things to laugh about until the very end. Amie was very proud of his three children, all of whom attended college: a personal goal of his since he never had that opportunity. Amie encouraged his children's work ethic, as well as their avocations. Both of his sons attended Colgate University in New York State on hockey scholarships and following their graduations, they both signed with the Winnipeg Jets as free agents. They also learned the game of golf from their Dad during many summers at the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club. Ken (Donna Nykoluk) returned to Winnipeg after college and recently retired from a long career at Revenue Canada. Murray (Sally Campbell) stayed in the States and went on to earn a doctorate in music and is currently the senior vice president at Colgate University and a member of the faculty. Beth (Rick Lizak) earned her college degree in accounting and business at Red River and was a senior retail manager with Talbot's Canada until she received her investment license and is now a financial planner at Investment Planning Counsel. Amie's children all provided him with devoted grandchildren, Lyndsay (Raz Goldstein), Evan (Kristina), Sam (Tracy), Lucy, Cody, Charlie and Wyatt; and six great-grandchildren, Anna, Lukas, Henry, Tyler, Natalie and Annie. Beyond his immediate family, Amie leaves behind a half brother Maurice Decock Orlowski (Judy) and a large contingent of Decock cousins, including Nancy Silk, Rene (Marlene) DeSmet, Arthur (Elaine) DeSmet, with whom he enjoyed reconnecting during his adult years. He also leaves behind Laverne's sister, Lillian Sangster, of Neepawa; in-laws, Audrey Briese and Trudy Briese, as well many Decock and Briese nieces and nephews. His dear cousin Andy Decock, with whom he was raised, along with half sister MaryAnn Gebel, stepsister Bernice Boni, and stepmother Elsie Orlowski, also predeceased Amie. Besides his family, career accomplishments and hobbies, Amie will be remembered for his work ethic, his constant worry about those he loved, his passion for sports and his quick mind. Amie requested there be no service. He was honoured to have so many of his family, friends and colleagues call or spend time with him in his final days; special visits that he deeply appreciated. Amie will be buried beside his dear wife, Laverne, at the Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens in Winnipeg during a private service. His children request that you honour Amie's life by contributing funds and/or your time to provide a "hand up" to a struggling young person of need in your community. Then sit back, have a glass of red wine, and listen to Frank Sinatra sing "I Did It My Way", which was Amie's favourite and an accurate description of how he lived his life.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 03, 2015