ARTHUR BRIGGS

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ARTHUR BRIGGS Our much-loved Arthur passed away peacefully on September 1, 2009. He will be forever missed by his eight children: Geoff (April), Jennifer (Douglas), David (Maura), Susan (Jon), Connie (Michael), Roddy (Pat), Joanne (Myles), Jonathan (Sabrina); his 17 grandchildren: Janna, Heather, Eamon, Dylan, Gareth, Rachelle, Andrew, Anna, David, Katie, Douglas, Isabelle, Cole, Leo, Gabe, Julia and Riley; his brother Geoff (Rosaline), and Aunty Dolly. Arthur was predeceased by his loving wife Lorraine. Arthur was born in Bradford, England in 1925 the youngest of two sons to Lewis and Annie. He grew up on St. Enoch's Road in Wibsey. His father passed away when he was just 12 years old, after which Arthur went to work as a butcher. In his late teens, Arthur left home to join the Merchant Navy where he worked as a radio and radar operator. When Arthur left the navy he decided to come to Canada to be a bush man . He took a boat and landed in Halifax, then travelled across the country, ending up in Winnipeg with only two dollars to his name. He worked in factories in the garment industry for a while until he got a job as a maintenance worker at West Hawk Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Arthur's time at West Hawk had a great impact on his life as he worked his way up to become a fire ranger, a conservation officer and eventually became the Chief of Forest Fire Prevention for the Province of Manitoba. One of the things he was very proud of was purchasing the first 4 CL 215 water bomber planes for the Province of Manitoba. Arthur later worked as a fire consultant with The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). His time at West Hawk Lake also had great influence on Arthur's life, as it was there that he met the love of his life, Lorraine. They married and started a family while moving around Manitoba, living and working in many different rural communities, finally settling in River Heights, Winnipeg. Arthur loved the outdoors, sailing, music and dancing, riding his bike, stained glasswork, making his own wine and beer, baking and cooking feasts for the family. He enjoyed his career and loved his holidays; the boy who grew up playing with toy sail boats on the pond in Wibsey Park continued to sail and pass on the joy he found in it to his children and friends. Arthur loved to travel and was always in search of sunshine to bask in and he always found it, poolside, beachside or in a sheltered corner of the yard. Arthur and Lorraine spent many winters in Florida enjoying the warmth of the sunshine, the company of each other and their lovely circle of friends at the 2nd Avenue beach in Naples on the Gulf. Arthur was a man who treasured his family and was the life of the party. He was an eternally jolly Englishman who found his life and his loves here in Canada. He was our Dad, our grandpa, our brother, our uncle, and our friend. The man with that famous moustache was truly one of a kind and we shall miss him forever. Heartfelt appreciation goes to all the staff at Calvary Place and The Rosewood for their care and kindness over the past 2 years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba 10 - 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg MB R3C 4G2 or The Manitoba Forestry Association, 900 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3M 0Y4. A memorial service celebrating Arthur's life will be held on Saturday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. in the Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald Street. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E. J. COUTU CO FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2009