RICHARD GORDON HOOKER

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RICHARD GORDON HOOKER It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Richard Gordon Hooker, on Wednesday, February 12, 2002, at Selkirk General Hospital, at the age of 73. Richard was born in Selkirk on April 17, 1928. He was born and raised on Morris Avenue, and later raised his family on that same street. Richard was predeceased by his daughter Carolyn in 1980, and by his brother Frank in 1999. He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife of 51 years Marie, his children, Gord Hooker (Lynn), Judy Therrien (Robert) and Roxanne Hooker (whatszhis name) grandchildren, Jason and Kristian Hooker, Danielle Clement (Jeremy), Melissa and Jarrod Therrien, Zack Nelson; and great-grandchildren, Amber and Trevor. He is also survived by his sister Helen Ruth (Hooker) Robinson, two sisters-in-law, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Our father believed in being an activist in his community. He began at age 14 by joining the Selkirk Volunteer Fire Department, and remained in its service for 45 years. He joined a community choir in Selkirk as a teen, and later sang in the Selkirk Community Choir for many years. He was a member of the Young Liberals, and was active in every election campaign during his lifetime, receiving a lifetime membership in the Liberal Party of Canada in 1998. He was President of the Selkirk Chamber of Commerce, and was instrumental in opening up Selkirk Park again by bringing water-ski meets there. As a member of the Selkirk Seals, he was a champion ski-jumper in Manitoba. He was an active member of the Selkirk United Church, and, besides contributing in so many other ways, sang in its choir for 50 years. He volunteered for Selkirk Ambulance Service from 1966 to 1975. He was an instructor in C.P.R., and was a vocal advocate for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and its teachings. He was best known in this regard for his organization of Selkirks Big Bike Ride, the most successful one in Manitoba, for the past nine years. Most recently he was a dedicated worker at the Selkirk Food Bank, a member of the committee to restore historic St. Peters Church, and active in numerous heritage preservation organizations. Richards most personal gifts to all who knew him were his rich, bass, singing voice, and his relentless sense of humour. He was an ethical and honourable businessman. His first job was with the family business, Hookers Lumber, where he worked from 1948 to 1975. From 1975 to 1984, he poured his heart and soul into the Selkirk Ambulance Service, and under his direction, the staff there achieved the status of being the highest trained attendants in the province of Manitoba. From 1975 to 1992, he also managed Selkirk Funeral Chapel. In the early 1980s he became a licensed funeral director, and was well-suited for this work, because of his caring nature and beautiful singing voice. He was a councillor for the Town of Selkirk from 1992-1998, and was extremely proud to serve his community in this way. One campaign he fought passionately was to "Save the Barn" (old arena) in Selkirk. Services to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Selkirk United Church. Viewing to take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be his four grandsons, and nephews Leon Hooker and Bill Anderson. Honorary pallbearers will be the retirees of the Selkirk Fire Department. Donations may be made in Richards memory to the Selkirk Food Bank, or to the Special Needs Autism Program at Happy Thought School. Our community was richer for having had him in it. He will be missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 16, 2002