WILLIAM EARL (BUD) JENKINS

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WILLIAM EARL (BUD) JENKINS Peacefully on Sunday, November 5, 2006 at Poseidon Care Centre, Bud Jenkins passed away at the age of 77 years. He was born in Winnipeg on March 13, 1929 to parents, William and Ruby Jenkins, brother to Ray Jenkins. He leaves to mourn his passing, daughters, Debbie Jenkins and husband Allan Rosky, Cindy Fraser and husband Glenn Fraser and son Jeffrey Jenkins and partner Mark Bishop; granddaughters, Jennifer and Nikita Rosky and Ashley and Kaitlyn Fraser. Bud was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Doreen Jenkins (McGregor) and grandson Jeffrey Schick. Bud was born and raised in the Weston area. He attended Cecil Rhodes School and worked in his grandparent's service station on Logan and Keewatin in his early years. He started working for Imperial Oil in 1947 where he met and married Doreen in 1955. He left Imperial Oil in 1966 when a transfer to Edmonton was offered but later declined. After that, he held a variety of positions from body shop manager at several franchises for the Birchwood Group to selling car parts for Purolater and Acklands and even a short stint selling real estate. He retired in his early 60's and devoted his leisure time to his favourite activities, which included summers at the family cottage at Star Lake, golfing, frequent afternoons at the legion and finally doing what he did best, which was going out of his way to annoy people. Bud was known equally well for his blunt and outrageous commentaries on life and his excellent sense of humour. He was an avid practical joker and would do or arrange just about anything to get a laugh. From borrowing a running taxi and driving it from the top of the Winnipeg Inn and parking it in the driveway of his longtime friend Smoot , to entering a frozen fish from Safeway as his catch of the day in his many fishing derbies, to showing up at his children's workplaces in a variety of costumes, there was little he wouldn't do to make others chuckle. His children became quite used to the question, Was that your Dad? accompanied by an incredulous stare. Always the life of the party, Bud was an accomplished piano player and hosted many parties with Doreen at Star Lake and at their home in Westwood. His superior organizational skills ensured everyone had a good time, except possibly the person who was the subject of the roast of the day. Aside from his jokes and sense of humour, Bud had a compassionate side that few people were aware of. He always had a soft spot for those that were less fortunate than he was which was evidenced by his many efforts of a charitable nature including the annual sale of apples for the Kiwanis Club for many years, delivering hampers for the Christmas Cheer Board, his support of a third world child through World Vision for the last nine years, donations to Rossbrook House and donations to the Sunshine Fund so disadvantaged children could go to summer camp. There is no need to be overwhelmed at Bud's passing. He travelled to exotic places such as Great Britain, Hawaii, Spain and Morocco, among others and attended many parties, celebrations and conventions throughout his lifetime. By his own admission, he had a good run at it and for the most part felt his life was fulfilling and complete. He enjoyed his granddaughters immensely and in spite of his rough outer edges, he was genuinely surprised that they loved him anyway. Bud was a former member of the Elmwood Kiwanis Club, the Granite Curling Club and Elmhurst Golf and Country Club and the Royal Canadian Legion St. James Branch. The family would like to thank Dr. Wayne Van Horn for his care and compassion for the last several years and Poseidon Care Centre, for their care since July 2006 when a stroke robbed Dad of his ability to look after himself. Cremation has taken place. At Dad's request, there will be no service. Instead, friends wishing to pay their respects are invited to come for a drink or two on Bud at the St. James Legion Branch No. 4 at 1755 Portage Ave. on Thursday, November 9 between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined, in memoriam donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Fund, the Sunshine Fund or Rossbrook House.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 08, 2006