PERCIVAL (PERCY) DONALD BUCHANAN

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PERCIVAL (PERCY) DONALD BUCHANAN It is with heavy hearts that the family of Percy Buchanan announces his passing Friday, August 28, 2009 at Pinawa Hospital, at the age of 88. Percy was born April 3, 1921, the oldest son of William and Edith Buchanan. As a young man, he was a dedicated father, always interested in the activities of his children and in their education, especially of the outdoors. Percy was very athletic - track and speed skating as a young man; snowshoeing his trap line as an older man. He had several careers during his work life, from the Cordite plant in Transcona, to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Windsor and ending with many years as a materials accountant for the Manitoba Telephone System. He retired in 1976 to pursue full time the passions of his life with his wife and kindred spirit Judy. Over the years, he built many houses - his pride and joy being the River House on the Winnipeg River near Lac du Bonnet. The great loves of his years out in this community were Judy, the outdoors and Canadian history. Percy was never without a story and was a well-read authority on many topics. You had to make sure you had some time on your hands if you asked him for his opinion! While in Winnipeg he was a busy volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross. He did what he could to help others live full lives around personal challenges, as he refused to allow the loss of an eye as a toddler to keep him from what he wanted to do. In 1933, at age 12, he received a provincial humanitarian award for saving another youth from drowning in the Red River. As an adult he received recognition from the Manitoba Hunters and Trappers Association, another of his volunteer outlets, for developing more humane trapping equipment. Percy and Judy had an exciting life beyond their community, canoeing rivers in Alaska, camping in the most primitive parks all across Canada, then hopping a plane for checking out the sights in Bermuda. No matter where he was, Percy's routines went with him. Some of the businesses in Lac du Bonnet could set their watches by the time he came in for his half a cup of coffee.' Percy is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Grant (Linda), Doreen (Robin), Roger (Linda); grandchildren, Adrianna, Nikolene (Warren), Shawnna (Mike), Kevin, Patrick (Nicole); great-grandchildren, Jacob, Brandon, Emily, Olivia, Hudson Josephine, Mercedes and Patrick. The family is forever indebted to Percy's wonderful neighbours in Lac du Bonnet, the homecare staff and all those who have helped Percy and Judy in the past few months. We especially treasure those who helped us through the circumstances around his heart attack when we were so far away - Margie and Bill Ferguson, the medical staff of Pinawa Hospital and of the I.C.U. unit at Health Sciences Centre. In keeping with Percy's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private remembrance will be held at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2009