ALBERT FONSECA

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ALBERT FONSECA Peacefully, his family by his side, Albert Fonseca passed on at St. Boniface Hospital on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, children Susan, Kathleen (Brian), Stephen (Leona), Wendy (Daryl), Brian (Sharon), Margaret (Randy) and Mary (Henri), his grandchildren Ivan, Isaac, Jessie, Jullian, Erin, Kelsey, Tanya, Erik, Riley, Keenan and Billie, and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves to mourn his brother Arthur (Yvette), many family members and dear friends. Albert was predeceased by his parents, William and Edith Fonseca, brothers, Don, Tom and Ben and sister, Jean. Albert was a man of many gifts and interests. He served as a wireless operator/air gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war, he attended the University of Manitoba as an architectural student and later became a draftsman at Display Fixtures. He was a talented photographer. This life long passion led to wedding bells when he met his bride-to-be, Pat, while taking pictures at a wedding. Dad was a carpenter and with his father and brothers built many cottages. He enjoyed a 30-year career as a real estate broker with Coulter Realty and eventually purchased and ran the company. Dad played an active role in the lives of his children helping with our school projects, taking pictures at every event, coaching hockey and beaming proudly at our every accomplishment. He enjoyed curling at the St. Vital Curling Club, golfing and fishing at Falcon Lake and, in his later years, became an avid wood carver. Albert loved music. He spent many hours sitting next to Mom on the piano bench singing with her while she played. Dad was the keeper of the family archives and with Mom's help and daughter Kathleen's artwork, he wrote and published the book From Palms to Maples, a biography of his Great-Grandfather, William Gomez Fonseca, a Winnipeg city founding father. Dad was an active member and past president of the St. Vital Historical Society and, along with Mom, gave his time and energy to help renovate the Society's new location at 600 St. Mary's Road. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. (south of the Royal Canadian Mint). We are so grateful for the overwhelming support from family and friends and would like to thank the caring staff in Emergency and 5E St. Boniface Hospital, Riverview 4E and the Day Hospital, Victoria Emergency and the paramedics. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Albert's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6, the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg MB R3T 0R3 or the St. Vital Historical Society, 600 St. Mary's Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2M 3L5. We love you, Dad. GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 982-7500

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 29, 2009