MAURICE EDWARD FALLOON -

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MAURICE EDWARD FALLOON 1916 - 2009 On April 22, surrounded by his family and dear caregivers, Maurice left us peacefully to join Lil. Born May 8, 1916 to Sam and Fannie Falloon of Foxwarren, MB, Maurice died at his home on the same farm almost 93 years later. He is survived by his sister Beryl (Ken) Fallis. His three children, Ted (Rose) Falloon, Mary Lou (Carey) Lorraine and Linda (John) Kort, as well as 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Maurice's humble opinion was that he was born lucky, but his life's successes were more the result of hard work, a remarkable mind, a wonderful personality and a keen sense of family. During the Depression, when work was scarce, he was lucky to find employment in the gold mines of Red Lake, ON. After enlisting in the R.C.A.F. at the beginning of the Second World War, he soon became a pilot and was commissioned as a flying officer. Just more luck was his assessment. During these years, Maurice flew DC3's over a dangerous section of the Himalayas known as the Hump , dropping supplies to the British 14th army. While in Burma, he forged many close friendships, one of which was with Frank Copper who became a chess opponent in a tournament that lasted 60 years. Maurice's luck also became apparent in his choice of a mate when he met a lovely young bank teller from Birtle by the name of Lil Moxham and married her in Calgary prior to going overseas. Their union was textbook perfect, producing much love, happiness, and, as time progressed, three children who, as luck would have it, were all well schooled in the time honoured Irish tradition of tending your da . He and Lil enjoyed almost 60 years together on the family farm following the war. Maurice served his community, as well over the years through his tenure as a Birtle Hospital Board Member and Ellice Municipality Councillor, but he will be more fondly remembered for an extraordinary ability to enjoy life and to see the humour in any situation. He and Lil developed an incredible network of friends across the country and were constantly entertaining. When, in the 1960's, his neighbours were buying swathers and balers, Maurice decided that a swimming pool would be a better idea and this became a centre of sociability. During winter months, he and Lil were again lucky enough to travel both abroad and on this continent and settled on Victoria where they spent 32 winters. Maurice's luck became evident yet again as he established a unique and personal friendship with each of his children, their spouses and each of his 10 grandchildren. He also had amazing good fortune during the last seven months at his home when his caregivers almost became extensions of his family. This allowed him to end his life as he had lived it - happy and at home. The care and concern offered by Dr. Pieterse was a great bit of luck, as was his friendship with Reverend Dwight Rutherford, who sent Maurice off in fine style with a marvelous and joyful funeral service in Foxwarren's Community Chapel on April 27. Maurice was indeed a great example of a life well lived. To quote his parting letter to his family My one wish is that you could all be as lucky as I have been and have a life that you wouldn't change any part of.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 30, 2009