Val CUMMINS

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CUMMINS:Val Elroy, adoring father to Daniel (Mary) and Kimberley, loving son to Elwin and Marion Cummins, brother to Vaun (Juliet) and Vance, and devoted fiance to Mary Beth Debus, died on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 of appendix cancer after a one year, three day battle. Val was born on June 12, 1949 in Shoal Lake, Manitoba and was raised with his two brothers on a 600 acre farm in Strathclair, Manitoba where he was a great help to his parents. After graduating from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Chemistry, Val relocated to Resolute Bay (800 miles from the North Pole) to work as a seismic surveyor. One year later he returned to Manitoba and obtained an Advanced Arts Diploma in Computer Science from Red River Community College. Val moved to Toronto following college and has lived in Toronto/Mississauga ever since. Val's love of computers led to a career in computers and IT project management, and in 1978 he founded CAPSA Consulting Incorporated where he served as President and CEO. Val was always leading edge in the field, and developed specialized software and ran several websites in recent years. Val had a passion for SCUBA diving and was very accomplished. He has served as an instructor for 4 agencies and is also a Master Instructor, teaching others how to teach SCUBA diving. He remained proud of the fact that no student of his was ever injured while he was in charge of a site. Many today credit Val for their love of the sport, and note that his instruction was exceptional. Many of Val's closest friends were people he dived with or taught. Val also was an avid reader and read his whole life, with a favorite genre of science fiction. Over the years Val was also a pilot, a CPR, First Aid and Swimming Instructor, and he loved to dance. In addition, he was proud to say that he was a Laird as he owned a piece of a castle in Scotland and wore his own kilt with pride. Ash interment will take place in Manitoba at a later date. His family thanks the many people who extended their love and care to Val over the past year.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 31, 2010