RICHARD HUGH (PETE) SNELL

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RICHARD HUGH (PETE) SNELL May 16, 1922 February 13, 2009 Mercifully on February 13th, Pete passed away at the Victoria General Hospital in his 87th year. Pete was predeceased by his beloved wife, Kathleen on May 6th, 1999 and by many dear relatives and friends. Pete is survived by his son, Terry (Allison) and grandchildren, Tammy, Ashley, Alexander, Riley; son Kevin (Marg) and grandchildren, Lindsay (Sean), Christy, Madison and by five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother John (Jock) and Laurie of Tsawwassen, British Columbia. The last ten years were very difficult ones for Pete as he survived many and varied almost insurmountable health challenges with never one word of complaint or why me . He would greet everyone with a smile, tease with a dry sense of humour and say goodbye always with a thumbs up. Regardless of the circumstances, he remained totally positive and upbeat you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it. Pete was born in Calgary where at a very early age began playing hockey and cricket. At age 14, his team the Sunnyside Flashes won the Calgary Championship. At age 19 he played for the High River Flyers of the Big Six Hockey League falling just short of representing Canada in the World Championships. Cricket was his passion and over the years played on many successful Alberta and then latterly, Eastern Canadian teams. He often represented Canada in various test matches against teams from England and Pakistan and was the only Canadian born player on the team. He still enjoyed watching Cricketers play in Winnipeg at Assiniboine Park in the summers. In 1941 Pete started with the Canadian Pacific Railway and after nine months joined the Canadian Air Force. After training in Kingston and Saskatchewan, he was posted to London, England where he remained until the end of the war. He returned to Calgary rejoining CPR. Pete married Kathleen (Kay) in 1947 and in 1952 moved to Montreal with their young son, Terry. Kevin was born in Montreal a few years later and about five years after that, Pete took up another passion golf. All three played at Wentworth Golf Course and with Kevin beginning at age five, soon became the better golfer. One of Pete's proudest moments, however, was winning the Quebec Father Son Golf Championship with son, Terry who to this day accepts no credit for winning the title it was all Pete that day. In 1968, Pete and Kay accepted a move to Winnipeg and immediately became very involved at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club where he was a member until 1981 when he and Kay offered their services to work overseas with the Canadian Pacific Consulting Services. They moved to Chittagong, Bangladesh for four years, returning to live in White Rock, British Columbia. While overseas, they traveled extensively, seeing parts of the world that we can only dream about. Once again, Pete joined Hazelemere Golf and Country Club in White Rock and immediately made an impact. This is where he played tons of golf with so many of his best friends. On July 25th, 2000 he did what we fantasize about and that was to score a hole-in-one . After Kay's passing in 1999, Pete remained in White Rock until health reasons dictated a move back to Winnipeg to be closer to Terry and family. For over six years, he resided at the Portsmouth Retirement Residence where he felt very much at home. He truly loved his stay there, where he made many new friends and received outstanding care and attention in particular we wish to thank Patti for her kindness and thoughtfulness over the years. Even there, Pete was known as the golfer and every summer he would play several games with Terry, Alexander, Riley and Kevin when visiting from Lacombe, Alberta hitting the ball down the middle and scoring several pars. Pete's family would like to thank the emergency room staff at the Grace Hospital, the fifth floor nursing and health care aids, Maria in particular. Thanks also to Dr. Ron George, Dr. Joshua and Dr. Martin. Thank you to everyone at the Portsmouth for making Pete feel so at home and to Raffy Mydlo for her loving attention to Pete's home, keeping everything clean and tidy. The six days at Victoria Hospital were particularly difficult for Pete and family and we really wish to acknowledge the exceptional care and compassion of the emergency room staff, Dr. Hamideh and fourth floor nursing staff, in particular, Elvira and Decontee really special people. Last but not least, thanks to our dear friend and Pete's Physician, Dr. Stan Szajkowski for being there these past six years. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Saturday February 28th at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Unit 10 120 Donald St., Winnipeg R3C 4G2, CancerCare Manitoba, Room ON1160, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, R3E 0V9 or to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 21, 2009