JOHN PHILLIP LA RUE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN PHILLIP LA RUE 1927 - 2008 Suddenly, early August 14, 2008, John passed away in the ICU at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, after major emergency cardiac surgery, with his family around him. He is survived by his wife of three years, Anne (Ward) and family; brother Ted (Patricia) and family; sister Yvonne Mavins (Jack) and family; his four children, Leonard (Helen), Cydnie Mather (Robin), David (Joan La Rue-van Es), and Tom (Denise); and his grandchildren, Alex and Ian, Catherine (Michael Kowalchuk) and Helen (Jason Oliver), Nicole, Peter and Joelle (Jeremy Epp), and Elizabeth and Sarah. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years Audrey, and his parents, Elsie and Martin La Rue. Born and raised in Winnipeg, John grew up in Fort Rouge. After school, he started working for the Manitoba Telephone System, in many capacities, retiring in 1983 after 39 years. He met his wife Audrey through the MTS 50-50 Club, discovered they were both involved in Boy Scouts, and married in 1948. Raised an Anglican, John was baptized at St. Alban's, sang in the choir as a boy, and continued to sing in church choirs most of his life. He was licensed as a Lay Reader in 1955, and served in many parishes as he moved from Winnipeg, to Portage la Prairie, to Dauphin, back to Winnipeg, and finally, after retirement, to Ponemah in 1987. He served as organist at All Saints Anglican Church in Whytewold until this past spring. He had a lifelong interest in photography (including amateur cinematography), beer and wine making (he was a certified Wine Judge), tropical fish, music (playing the organ and the tuba), gardening, and more recently, the computer. John and Anne enjoyed traveling together, both on their own and with BS Tours cruises (MTS Pioneers). Many heartfelt thanks to the ER staff at Selkirk Hospital, and to Dr. Ed Pascoe and the Cardiovascular Team in the CCU ICU at St. Boniface Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in John's name to Eagle's Wings Children's Village, Uganda, in care of 61 St. Vital Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R2M 1Z4. Funeral service will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, Whytewold, MB, at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, 2008. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2008