LAWRENCE CARPICK

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LAWRENCE CARPICK (1918 - 2006) On Monday, January 30, 2006, Lawrence passed away at the Deer Lodge Centre, at the age of 87 years. Remaining to forever cherish his memory are his two sisters, Irene Van Buren of Winnipeg and Helen Wardley (Graham) of Burlington, ON and one brother, Vic (Pat) of Kelowna, BC; as well as 17 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Claire on November 14, 2004; also his parents, Conrad and Anne and four brothers, Phillip, William, Jack and Todd. Lawrence was born in The Pas, MB on September 22, 1918, the first born of Conrad and Anne Carpick, early pioneers in Northern Manitoba. Growing up in the North and during the Depression was both a challenge and an adventure. Lawrence had his share of both. Not only did he help out within the home, learning to make perfect bread as he put it, he fished in the nearby Saskatchewan River, hunted and trapped to add to the family larder. At age 18, he started employment with The Pas Lumber Company. His first pay cheque was for $33.00. He gave it all to his mother and she returned $3.00, enough to carry him through to the next pay day. A year later, in 1937, he was transferred to The Pas Lumber Company operations near Reserve, SK, where he performed a variety of jobs - log scaler, one-man office boy , lumber checker and manager of the company store. He was also responsible for hiring staff. In his spare time, he helped newly arrived immigrant workers to read and write English. In 1941, Lawrence joined the Canadian Army, taking basic training at Fort Osborne Barracks in Winnipeg, the first of four family members who served in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War. He was later stationed on the West Coast, leaving for Overseas in 1942. Lawrence arrived in England shortly after the Dieppe Raid, where he heard stories of the horrific action from some of the survivors. In 1943, Lawrence joined the Royal Westminster Regiment, 5th Canadian Armored Division, becoming Sgt. i/c in the Provost Section. He served in Italy for a year and a half and later in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Lawrence was a prolific letter writer and while overseas, he kept his family informed of his many adventures and close shaves. In Italy, he was involved in a famous operation, The Melfa River Crossing where his company commander, Major Jack Mahoney won the Victoria Cross. He was present when later, King George VI presented the medal to Major Mahoney. At the end of the war, Lawrence was in Holland and after a sightseeing tour of Europe, England, Scotland and Ireland, he sailed home aboard the Queen Mary. Shortly after being discharged in February, 1946, he joined the Winnipeg Police Force, walking, as he related, the Main Street beat in Army boots, at the huge sum of $135.00 per month . He later joined the Detective Division, rising to the rank of Staff Inspector of Major Crimes. Lawrence retired in 1978 and spent many pleasurable years traveling, fishing and farming. In compliance with Lawrence's wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. Interment will take place in All Saints Cemetery. A private family gathering to celebrate Lawrence's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made in Lawrence's memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 102-310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6. Lawrence's arrangements have been entrusted to the Family Owned Funeral Chapel of: WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 01, 2006