ALBERT GUST SKOGSTAD

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ALBERT GUST SKOGSTAD Albert Gust Skogstad, 85, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2005, at St. Boniface General Hospital. Al's last weeks were difficult but his final moments were peaceful, with the sun streaming into his room and his beloved daughter Donamae at his side. A hard-working, proud man, Al was fortunate enough to find love twice in his lifetime. He is survived by his devoted wife of four years, Eva Cameron, and was predeceased by his beloved first wife of thirty-eight years, Julia. Dad's memory is cherished by his five children and eight grandchildren, Doug and Fiona (Matthew, Karl and Amelia), Don (Dana and Mikha), Donamae, David and Shelley (Christopher) and Diane Skogstad and Doug Speirs (Liam and Kayleigh.) Al will never be forgotten by his two brothers, Herbert and Walter; sister-in-law Mary, sister Doreen and brother-in-law Phillip. He will be greatly missed by Eva's sons, Don, Ken and Gord and their families. His passing also has deeply saddened good friends Bert and Mel Johnson. Born on a farm in Dunblane, SK, on June 20, 1920, Albert moved to Manitoba in 1937. Al was a perfectionist, a man who believed that anything worth doing was worth doing right. He was a railway man to the end and spent 40 years with CP Rail as an operator and Dispatcher. He spent the bulk of his career in Brandon, retiring in Winnipeg in 1983. Dad spent two years serving his country during The Second World War and was a loyal member of the Royal Canadian Legion. A man of many passions, Al was an avid curler, golfer, hunter and craftsman. His hands were never idle. He lovingly laboured over the deerskin gloves he presented to family and friends and his grandchildren will always treasure the beautiful handmade wooden toy boxes crafted by their grandpa. A union leader for years, Al was a man of deeply held opinions and he loved a good argument. But he was also a strong family man and was fiercely loyal to his closest friends. He loved long country drives, always taking the path less travelled. His children have fond memories of the many train trips to the West Coast and car rides to family farms in Sidney and Erickson. His final years with Eva were spent on rambling country drives, bus trips and long evenings of cribbage. Al never missed a chance to boast of his Norwegian heritage and his eyes sparkled whenever he had the chance to sing his Norwegian Song for Eva's great-granddaughters, Kayla and Saige. A memorial service celebrating Al's life will be held on Wednesday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 61 Picardy Place (one block west of Portage Avenue and Broadway). In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. Thompson In the Park Funeral Homes

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2005