LAWRENCE ALBERT HALLDORSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

LAWRENCE ALBERT HALLDORSON Lawrence Albert Halldorson of Flin Flon passed away July 15, 2008 at the age of 85 years. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 25, 1922 to parents Kjartan Jonas Halldorson and Mabel Agnes Ann Halldorson. He was an aero engine mechanic, machinst, and teacher. He lived in Fort Garry Manitoba until 15 years of age, at which time he moved to Flin Flon and resided there until his passing (70 years). He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in England for 11 months in 1944. During the Second World War, he fixed Hurricane fighters and Halifax bombers. He was stationed in Eastmore Yorkshire. Upon his return to Canada, he joined the local Navy Sea Cadets and Naval Reserve. In 1952, he married Agnes Gudrun Bue in Cabri, Saskatchewan. Lawrence was employed with the Flin Flon School Division in the Industrial Arts Department and Music Department until his retirement in June 1978. He was a self-taught musician and could play any instrument. He was also a member of the First United Lutheran Church, Flin Flon Legion Branch No. 73, and the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Lawrence was predeceased by his father Kjartan and mother Mabel. He is survived by his sister Hazel Evans; John Paul Halldorson and Phillippa - Dustin and Michelle; Sigurd Robert Halldorson and Vania - Cody; Lorna Ratushniak (Halldorson) and Shawn - Tyler. Over his life, he was an active member of the community: Played the Last Post for Remembrance Day for 49 years; played in the Elks Youth Band in the late 1930s, played in two different dance bands in the 60s and 70s, the West Vickerey Orchestra and the Lawrence Halldorson Orchestra; Taught Sea Cadets as a commissioned Sea Cadet officer and started the Sea Cadet band which ran in the late 50s into the mid 1960s; was a Scout leader for five years; played the bugle for over 900 Legion funerals; started two school bands, took the school band on exchange trips and festivals to Winnipeg, Moose Jaw, Hudson Bay, SK, Clear Lake, and Thompson, Manitoba; played music for senior citizens in the Personal Care Home, the Northern Lights Manor, as well as other venues; in his 70s Lawrence played with the Gary Overland Orchestra. Lawrence was always willing to help other people and was a stalward member of the City of Flin Flon for 70 years. He was written about in the Goldbelt Gazette and a number of years ago. They called him Flin Flon's own Mr. Holland , from the movie Mr. Holland's Opus starring Richard Dreyfuss. Lawrence will be greatly missed by a lot of people. I'm sure he is playing music up in heaven.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2008