CHARLES VINCENT BEMBEN

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CHARLES VINCENT BEMBEN February 8, 1917 - November 21, 2008 Peacefully with his daughter at her home. Predeceased by his loving wife Adeline, his brother Michael Bemben and sisters Jean Morton and Josie Marsil he is survived by his daughter Deborah Thorlakson (Dr. Robert), sister Bebe Hodgson, nephew Bill Hodgson (Judy) and niece, Barbara Duke (Dr. Peter) of Winnipeg, sister-in-law Veronica Chaput of Oshawa, along with several other nephews, great nieces and nephews and their children. Dad was born and raised in Fort William, Ontario, eldest son of George and Rose Bemben. Upon completion of his primary and secondary education he started working for Gateway Grocers (a division of Western Grocers). While in Fort William Dad was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce serving as director and treasurer. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council and was awarded an honorary life membership for his years of service. Dad always had a keen interest in hockey and served for a number of years as secretary treasurer of the Fort William Hurricanes Hockey Club and was instrumental in negotiating their first professional sponsorship with the Detroit Red Wings. He also served as chairman of the board of the Fort William Gardens. In 1953 he was transferred to Saskatoon as assistant Branch manager with Western Grocers and in 1956 was appointed Branch Manager in Prince Albert. Dad was subsequently appointed branch manager in Regina in 1957, where he remained for 13 years. While in Regina he attended the University of Saskatchewan to complete his business administration, he served as President of the Saskatchewan Food Wholesalers and Food Brokers Association, Vice President of the Wascana Kiwanis Club and was a member of the Wascana Country Club and Tartan Curling club. Dad served as a Director of the Regina Chamber of Commerce for a number of years, chaired the membership committee and became 1st Vice President of the Club in 1969. In 1970 he was appointed General Manager of Western Grocers and was transferred to Winnipeg. During his tenure as General Manager he launched a customer incentive loyalty program, making it possible for hundreds of independent retailers in western Canada to enjoy a week of vacation in such places as Florida, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico and Portugal. In 1978 Dad was appointed Vice President of Operations for Westfair Foods, a position he held until his retirement. Following his retirement he was appointed Assistant to the President and was responsible for special projects and acting director of their Customer Incentive Program. While in Winnipeg he continued his involvement with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the executive for a number of years. Dad truly enjoyed life; he had a wide range of interest from investments to politics, the arts, all sports and even cooking. Dad loved to curl, and did so for many years at the Winnipeg Winter Club and subsequently the Granite Club. Dad was an avid fisherman and fished the northern lakes of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. His love of salmon fishing took him to the west coast annually for over 30 years. And in his latter years he enjoyed his spring outing to Raleigh Lake with his nephew Bill and several friends. He loved to travel and we took a number of trips and cruises together throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asia, the Baltic and South America. At 88 his wanderlust took over again, and he decided to take a tour around the world, he thought he had better do it before he got too old. He had such a wonderful time he signed up for another trip touring the southern hemisphere at age 89. In his less adventurous moments he also enjoyed spending many winters with his family and friends in Palm Springs. One couldn't ask for a better father or friend. Dad enriched our lives more than words can express and we feel very blessed to have had the benefit of his wisdom, love and devotion for so many years. My Dad will be deeply missed. Thank you to Dr. Lipschitz and the HSC H3 staff for the care Dad received following his surgery for gastric cancer last November, to Agnes Weidman, homecare coordinator, homecare nurses; Bernice, Mary, Val and Dr. C. Woelk for the care and kindness they provided for Dad during his last week of life and to Monsignor Norman Chartrand for his spiritual comfort and support. A memorial mass will be held at Holy Rosary, 510 River, on Thursday, November 27th at 12:00. In lieu of flowers donations to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation Endowment or CancerCare Manitoba would be greatly appreciated. Thomson Funeral Home 669 Broadway 783-7211

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 25, 2008