MOSIE NICHOLAS (MOE) TOBIN

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MOSIE NICHOLAS (MOE) TOBIN It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Moe Tobin, at Concordia Hospital, on June 4, 2007 with his family by his side. Moe will be lovingly missed by his wife of 48 years, Margaret; his children, Kevin and Deborah, John and Ewa, Kimberly and Jamie Black, and Alison and Daniel MacNeil; his grandchildren, Erin and Fiona Tobin, Sean, Philip, and Laura Tobin, and Duncan and Signe MacNeil. It is a deep loss for his brother and best friend, Ben and wife Fran Tobin; sisters, Ella Mitchell, and Josephine and Joey Bruch; brothers-in-law, Franklin and Runa, John and Nell, Donald and Hedy, Siggi and Mary; sisters-in-law, Solrun Christiansen, Sveinbjorg, and Kristin Bjornson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Moe was predeceased by his father Benedict Tobin in 1939, and his mother Mary in 1988; his brothers-in-law, Jack Bjornson, Peter Christiansen, Laverne Mitchell, and Thor Bjornson. Moe was born on May 16, 1933 in Grandview, Manitoba and spent his early years on the farm, which had been his parent's homestead along the Russell Trail between Grandview and Inglis, Manitoba, a mile north of Riding Mountain National Park. After their father's untimely death, the family persevered and established a successful farming operation in the remote area. At a very young age, Moe learned to appreciate nature and the abundance of wildlife on the farm. He spent many summers assisting in the haying operation, raising cattle and sheep and driving them to market while riding his favourite horse, Trigger. It was his mother's love of learning that encouraged Moe to pursue education. He attended a one-room school in Hollybourne and High School in Grandview, Manitoba. After a year of permit teaching at his former school, Moe attended the provincial Normal School in Winnipeg. He returned to teach one more year at Hollybourne and a year in Boissevain before accepting a position in East Kildonan teaching Grade 9 Science. During his teaching career, Moe continued his education at the University of Manitoba, earning his Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Education degrees. Following his classroom teaching at Melrose School, Moe accepted the challenge of school administration becoming Vice Principal at John Henderson, and Principal at Maple Leaf, Angus McKay, and Dr. Hamilton Schools. His gentle leadership endeared him to students, staff, and parents and earned the respect of his colleagues. Moe encouraged parents to become involved in school activities through parent-teacher associations and various school activities. At Angus McKay and Dr. Hamilton Schools, Moe pioneered the use of personal computers in the classroom. Moe was a kind and loving father devoted to his family, setting a wonderful example for his children. They share his love of learning and Moe was extremely proud of their successes in education and in work. Moe's family fondly remembers camping trips across Canada and in the United States, summers at the farm in Grandview, riding snowmobiles in the winter, weekends at the trailer in Hnausa, camping at Whiteshell and Birds Hill Parks and countless family gatherings in Grandview, Arborg, and Gimli. Moe took special delight in each of his seven grandchildren. He was a wonderful friend and neighbour, always ready to help out or simply to carry on a conversation over the backyard fence. His children believed Moe could fix anything, and he usually did from broken toys and appliances big and small, to cars that would not run. He built the home in North Kildonan that he and Margaret shared for 40 years, and spent many hours working in the yard and nurturing a beautiful vegetable garden. Moe and Margaret had a very special marriage. They first met at Normal School in 1955 and forged a relationship that survived a separation of many miles for over two years, nurtured through the writing of many letters and occasional visits. They were married in 1959. There were many trips to the farm where Margaret learned to rake hay using an old Case Tractor with steel wheels. Moe and Margaret did everything together and shared the common goals of family values and life-long learning. They travelled to Iceland, Europe, Uruguay, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Arizona, and countless trips to Toronto. They enjoyed winter holidays in Mexico and Cuba. Moe's family would like to thank Dr. Harris, Dr. Kuegle and the wonderful 3rd Floor West nursing staff at Concordia Hospital for their loving and compassionate care. Donations to Moe's memory may be made to Peace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or the Canadian Cancer Society. A celebration of Moe's life will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 350 Gilmore Avenue, Winnipeg on Thursday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. We will miss you and love you forever, Moe. Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2007