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JOHN ORVIL ATKINSON
Born: May 13, 1920
Date of Passing: Nov 04, 2007
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOHN ORVIL ATKINSON It is with great sadness that we announce that John Orvil Atkinson passed away at his home with his loving family by his side on Sunday, November 4, 2007. Orvil is survived by his loving wife, Dulcie; daughters, Dianna (Chuck), Beverley (Charlie); grandchildren, Trina (Iain), Brad (Jennifer), Cory (Sandra), Scott (Linnea); and great-granddaughter Alyssa; brother Lorne; and sister Dorothy. He was predeceased by his infant son John R.; brothers, Earle, Ralph; and sister Leone. Orvil was born May 13, 1920 in Frobisher, Saskatchewan. In 1944 married Dulcie Nadin and moved from Pilot Mound to Selkirk in 1950 to work at Brown's Bread as a mechanic and delivered bread on Beach Run. After the closing of the bakery Orvil worked for Lakeland Dairies and drove buses for the Lord Selkirk School Division until his retirement in 1985. Orvil, with the love of his life Dulcie, had over 63 wonderful years together and enjoyed gatherings with their family and friends. Orvil was a very kind and generous person, always willing to lend a hand. One of his greatest comforts was his special little dog, Tiny. Orvil enjoyed curling, bowling, gardening and traveling trips to Vancouver and especially family trips to Portage, Brandon and Pilot Mound. Orvil was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and taught them values, respect, integrity and the Golden Rule! A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk with Rev. Ken Delisle officiating. Interment will take place in the St. Clements Cemetery. The family gratefully declines flowers, but would appreciate donations to Palliative Care, The Humane Society, The United Church or a charity of your choice. We will all miss his true friendship and genuine smile. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 06, 2007
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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I first met Orvil when I was very young. He was the janitor in the elementary school that I attended. Our friendship began due to an unfortunate situation. One day, 2 boys decided that they wanted to push my sister and I around after school. Day after day, we tried everything that we could to elude them, but to know avail, so God gave us the idea to stay after school and help Orvil clean the school. Orvil was so very kind to let us stay and help, and we thought that it was SO much more enjoyable then getting pushed around. When I was a little older, around eleven, we move to the country and I was SO delighted to have Orvil as my bus driver!! Orvil took special care to look out for me. He wouldn't let the older kids swear around me, and I'm not sure if he suspended the older boy from riding the bus after he offered me drugs, but since the other kids were laughing at him when we passed him walking home on the hwy, I suspect so. When I was much older, I was delighted to discover that Orvil lived across the road from my dad's Aunt, so we popped in for a visit. Sadly, as time went on we lost touch. Today I as I was pondering my past I thought that this would be a story worth writing, and I decide to check to see if Orvil was still around. I send my condolences to the family even though it has been many years now since he has passed, you were so blessed to have such a wonderful dad!! - Posted by: Norma Jean (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2021