JOHN ARTHUR BIRD

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JOHN ARTHUR BIRD Peacefully on Saturday, June 2, 2007, John Bird passed away at Concordia Hospital. Even after 85 years it is difficult to say goodbye. But it was time for John to join his beloved Trudy, who predeceased him in 1999. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Joanne Neustaedter (Rudy), Nancy Stewart (Gordon), and son Bill; grandchildren, Heather Bitto (Steve), Bradley Neustaedter, Meghan Robert (Claude), Kaitlyn and Andrew Stewart along with great-grandchildren, Alexander and Katie Bitto and Julien Robert; brother-in-law, Laurie Tidquist, wife Sally and family, sister-in-law Catherine Bird and daughter Mary Bybliw and family. He will also be greatly missed by his dear friend Bill McCowan and wife Margaret. John served in both the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in the depression years but was kept from service in the Second World War due to illness. John's working years were spent as owner and manager of the Avenue Electric, where he first worked with his father Ernest and then in later years was joined at the shop' by sisters Mamie, Edith and wife Trudy. John loved his golf. He and Trudy were long time members of Rossmere, where he delighted to play as one of the Dirty Dozen' gang. John enjoyed yearly golf holidays with Trudy and in later years wonderful trips out to Joanne and Rudy's in New Brunswick. John was almost 82 when he played his last round of golf at Rat River on November 24, 2004. Reading books (always non-fiction, of course), solving crossword puzzles and playing scrabble with Trudy were some of his pleasures. During family dinners he would regale everyone with stories of being a car jockey in the bad old days of Winnipeg. John was a student of history, cars and the great game of golf. Above all, he loved to share a story, a joke or a pun no matter what the circumstances. He was a great guy and will be sadly missed. A celebration of John's life will be held on Monday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, Wardlaw and Nassau with Reverend barb janes officiating. If they wish, friends may make a contribution in John's name to CancerCare Manitoba. Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 09, 2007