HENRY (ELLIS) BIRD

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HENRY (ELLIS) BIRD Peacefully, with his family by his side, on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at the Portage District General Hospital, Henry Ellis Bird, beloved husband of the late Verla Bird, passed away at the age of 82 years. Funeral service will be held at the Portage Alliance Church on Friday, November 27, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Ray Willms officiating. A private family interment will take place in the family plot at Evergreen Memorial Gardens at a later date. Ellis was born on February 9, 1927, son of Harry and Muriel Bird at Elva, Manitoba. He was raised and received his education in the Rossendale District and attended the Rossendale Schools. He was employed with Crocker Store at Rossendale for a year before starting to work at Safeway for two years in Portage and then two years in Dauphin. He moved back to Portage where he was employed at Crescent Creamery for five years. He then started his career with Weston Bakeries where he was employed for 33 years. He operated the Yellowhead Café at the Junction of Hwys 1 and 16 for 10 years. In 1952, Ellis married Verla Bell and they made their home in Portage la Prairie where they raised their three children; Lisa, Shauna-Lei and Cameron. Ellis was a member of both the Canadian and Independent Order of Foresters. He served on the executive of the Portage Terriers for four years. Ellis was an active member of the Burnside and Masters Curling Clubs and served a term as President. He was Treasurer for 10 years for the Portage Liniment League and had played for the Buckley's team for several years. He served on the Portage Co-op and Herman Prior Board of Directors and was an active member of Citizens of Police Patrol for over 10 years. He enjoyed helping his two sons-in-law on the farm. He also enjoyed his social times at the Co-op Coffee table. Predeceased by his wife Verla in January of 2009, his parents, and one sister Shirley Green. Ellis is survived by his three children; Lisa and Bruce Sneesby of Westbourne, Shauna-Lei and Jim Leslie of Rural Portage, Cameron and Betty of Warman, Saskatchewan, seven grandchildren; Sheldon Sneesby and fiancée Lindsey, Marshall and Jen Sneesby, Lawana and Murray Spratt, Branden Leslie, Jordan, Brianna and Jillian Bird, four great-grandchildren Bailey Sneesby, Carlee Sneesby, Connor and Travis Spratt. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and friends. Friends may call at the funeral home for visitation on Thursday evening, November 26 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Should friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Catherine Newham-Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 1A7 or the Citizens on Patrol Program, care of Rose Carriere, 513 Goodale Dr., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3M4. Condolences may be sent to the family care of Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com Dedicated to those we serve .

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 25, 2009