CHRISTOPHER RALPH (CHRIS) WHITFIELD

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CHRISTOPHER RALPH (CHRIS) WHITFIELD Christopher Ralph (Chris), Whitfield B.Sc. Pharm., beloved husband of Margery (Morris) Whitfield, died December 22, 2008, at his home near Souris, Manitoba, in his sleep, of natural causes. Chris was loved by his family: Ralph and Averill (Iliffe) Whitfield; Pam (Whitfield) and Todd Walker, Caleigh, Brynna and Seth; Dr. Daphne (Whitfield) and Grant Schmidt, Spencer and Carissa; Rod and Melissa Whitfield, Reese and Benjamin; Marion and the late Ray Morris; Debbie (Morris) and Joe Baker, Kellie and Jody; Wayne and Brenda Morris, Tracy and Trevor; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Chris and Marge bought Whitfield Drugs in 2005, the 50th year of Ralph's service in retail pharmacy. Chris and Marge also own Whitfield's Variety and Health in Crystal City. Chris graduated from North Dakota State University (1987), Dean's Honour List. He took his clinical pharmacy internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo. He was then employed as consultant hospital pharmacist at Killarney, Boissevain, Cartwright, and Crystal City for two years, before returning to the family business. In 1989, when Whitfield Drugs was the provider pharmacy for Souris Hospital, Chris revised the dispensary and met the service and patient counselling requirements to contribute to the hospital achieving accreditation standards, and ranking among the top 12 hospitals in Canada, as reported in Chatelaine magazine. Chris will be remembered for his keen wit and ability to make people laugh; his intelligence and encyclopedic knowledge; his love of history, books, music, football and hockey; his kindness and generosity; his love for Marge and their family of cats, dogs and horses. Chris was always willing to help friends, family or a stranger. He was an industrious, hard-working person. He bought his first car with savings from his Winnipeg Tribune paper route. He paid his way through university by working summers driving the tractor and throwing bales at the family farm, Woodsong Farms. Chris was an athlete who played on provincial championship teams in three sports: hockey, baseball and football. He was awarded All Star Player when his Midget team played against Team Sweden. Also as a Midget, Chris was called up to play with the Souris Juveniles, contributing 2 assists including the assist on the winning goal as the Juveniles defeated Carman 3 2 to win the provincial championship in 1979. Chris was a modest and private person. Although he received many athletic and scholastic awards, the one he treasured most was the Manitoba Order of Sport Excellence in recognition of attaining the Provincial Midget A Baseball Championship in 1980. Chris had such a special way with children. He was able to inspire a look of euphoria in their eyes. One thing that we can do to honour Chris is to try to inspire that happiness in others. Funeral service at St. Paul's United Church, Souris, Manitoba, on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Margret Kristjansson officiating. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to contribute to a charity of your choice. Arrangements in care of Kowalchuk's Funeral Home, Souris, 483-2167.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 27, 2008