EARL LEONARD BATCHELOR

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EARL LEONARD BATCHELOR Earl was born in Winnipeg on May 30, 1924, and died Friday, June 8, 2007, of complications due to Alzheimer's Disease. He was predeceased by his wife, Fallazea in 2006. He leaves behind his three children, Roger (Audrey), Gary, and Sandra (Ernie); as well as his three grandchildren, Krystle, Taylor, and Hunter, and numerous brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces. Pop grew up in the Fort Rouge area, and attended Earl Grey and Kelvin High schools. He developed a stutter at an early age and worked hard to overcome it. At 17, Pop enlisted in the Navy during Second World War. He served his time aboard various corvettes (HMCS Arnprior, Chebogue, and St. Lambert) that protected merchant vessels from German submarines. His job was to release depth charges. He loved to tell about the time his commanding officer threw him in the brig for two weeks for losing a firing pin which was swept overboard, thus denying the officer proof that the depth charge was actually released. Pop was stationed in Belfast when overseas and also boxed during the war. He was once scheduled to fight an opponent he had no chance of beating and he laughingly said that when the bell rang for round one he charged out of his corner and caught his opponent unprepared and won the fight with a one punch knockout! During a leave back in Canada, he met his future wife Paulina Komodowski (from Cook's Creek) at a dance. They married in 1948. Pop went to the University of Manitoba for two years after the war and studied engineering but left to begin a 40 year career working with the C.N.R. He was a carman in the Fort Rouge and Symington yards where he was known as a hard worker who was respected by his supervisors. During his last few years Pop worked on the auxiliary crew, which was responsible for fixing train derailments. He was also actively involved in the union. Earl and Fallazea raised three kids on Fleet Ave, the same street that he lived on as a child. After retirement, they travelled to Europe and Hawaii but mostly loved to be at home with their grandchildren. He became an avid golfer and would golf three or four times a week with his friends. Pop also enjoyed a few beers in the afternoon at the Cambridge or the Pembina with friends, who called him by his nickname, Tommy. He was also actively involved with the Fort Rouge soccer club as treasurer for many years. Up until a few months ago Pop was still able to joke with his family and often laughed at himself and his forgetfulness! Unfortunately, with Mom's death and the progression of his Alzheimers, Pop deteriorated in the last 2 years. We are very grateful to Pop's caregivers at Deer Lodge for making his final days as comfortable as possible. Also a special thanks to the excellent geriatric / psychiatric staff at Seven Oaks Hospital for the compassionate care displayed to him in his 10 months there. We'd also like to say thanks to the people at Bethania PCH and Central Park Lodge for his time spent there. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler Ave. We love you Pop, but know that you're where you always wanted to be, with Mom. Arrangements entrusted to: VOYAGE FUNERAL HOME CREMATORIUM FAMILY OWNED OPERATED 220 Hespeler Ave @ Henderson Hwy. 668-3151

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 11, 2007