ROBERT WILLIAM (BILL) SMALL

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ROBERT WILLIAM (BILL) SMALL November 26, 1913 August 23, 2008 Peacefully, on August 23, Bill Small passed away at the age of 94 with family by his side. Born in Swift Current, SK Bill was the second of four children of David Allan Small and Winnifred (Malcolm). Raised in Wapella, SK and educated at the University of Saskatchewan, he taught school on the prairies and in the late 1930s left for more lucrative work in the mining town of Flin Flon, MB, where he met the love of his life, Lela LeBlanc. They were married in 1941 and after his service as a flying instructor and check pilot in the RCAF they moved back to the Flin Flon area and raised their five children in Creighton, SK. Upon retirement in 1977 from Hudson Bay Mining Smelting Company where he held various positions in the Warehouse, Dad and Mom enjoyed their retirement home in Denare Beach, SK and spent many happy winters in Casa Grande, AZ. Dad had a lifelong love of music, literature and learning and in his retirement he took up fly fishing with a passion. He also loved wooden sailing ships and spent many hours building scale models of ships from the original blueprints. His replica of the Nonsuch is in the Museum at Denare Beach. He was predeceased by his adored wife and our beloved mother, Lela, and by his brother Jack, sister Claire, and granddaughter Andrea. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Adrienne (Rogers), Bonnie (Konkal), Mary (Smalley), Judy (Naylor), David and by his sister, Pat (Frost) as well as 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Anne's church in Flin Flon at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 29 with Father Paul Bringleson, O.M.I., presiding. Interment will follow at the Denare Beach Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to a charity of one's choice. The family would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the nurses and staff of Tudor House Personal Care Home in Selkirk, MB for their care and compassion. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 30, 2008