CHARLES LEE FORMAN

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CHARLES LEE FORMAN On Monday, October 15, 2007, Lee Forman passed away suddenly at the Grace General Hospital at the age of 90 years. Lee was born in Rivers, MB to Mabel and Ernest Forman on January 29, 1917. Along with his three older brothers, Chester, Harvey, and Lorne, Lee grew up and was educated in Rivers. As a young man, jobs were scarce and Lee along with his brother, Lorne, travelled the rails looking for work. They worked as farm hands helping to harvest crops and any other jobs they could find. In 1938, both Lee and Lorne found work in Winnipeg with Air Canada (formerly Trans Canada Airlines). Except for his service in the Canadian Army during the Second World War, Lee worked for Air Canada until 1972, when he retired as an Inspector with over 31 years of service. Lee became the International Association of Machinists (IAM) Representative when the Air Canada Pension Plan was extended to the IAM members in the late 1940s. He remained on the Pension Committee until his retirement, often travelling wherever there were IAM members in both Canada and the United States to inform and receive input. During this time, he earned much praise from IAM and the Canadian Airline Pilots' Association for the many improvements he helped negotiate. In 1941, Lee married the love of his life from Rivers, Enid White. They made Winnipeg their home until Lee was transferred to Montreal in 1970. Following Lee's retirement in 1972, Lee and Enid spent the next 28 years living in Vancouver, thoroughly enjoying their retirement years. Lee loved renovating their home, working in the yard, and especially golfing almost every day. Together with Enid, he enjoyed travelling to many parts of the world and was a very active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In 2000, Enid's failing health prompted a move back to Winnipeg to be closer to their son, Gordon and his family. Enid and Lee enjoyed 60 years of marriage before Enid's passing in 2001. Lee was a natural athlete and enjoyed playing golf into his 80s when failing eyesight brought an end to his game. As a young man, along with his brother Lorne, he played semi-pro ball throughout southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Lee's skills at pool were honed at the family pool hall in Rivers and he continued to play the game until one year before his passing. For many years, he was an avid curler and bowler. Lee also enjoyed playing cards and even though he suffered from severe dementia, his skills at Poker, crib and bridge were remarkable even at the time of his death. Lee is survived by his son, Gordon and daughter-in-law, Janice; grandson, Cam Forman and great-grandson, Kaleb Kemball; granddaughter, Niki Card and her husband Loren and great-grandson, Nolan. He is also survived by his brother, Chester of White Rock; sister-in-laws, Dorothy Forman of Penticton and Ruth White of Calgary; and numerous nieces and nephews from Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island. No formal service is planned, but a gathering to honour Lee's life will be held on Friday evening, October 19 from 7:00 10:00 p.m. in The Holiday Inn Airport West, 2520 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. Cremation has taken place and interment will be held at the Rivers Cemetery on Saturday, October 20 at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200 - 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. Lee was an extremely generous and caring father and grandfather he will be missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2007