WILLIAM DANIEL (BILL) WEDLAKE SR.

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WILLIAM DANIEL (BILL) WEDLAKE SR. Peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, Bill Wedlake Sr. passed away at Concordia Place Personal Care Home on December 5, 2009. Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean, sons, Bill Jr. (Ingrid) and Ross (Brenda), daughter Joannie (George Murray), brother Frank, grandchildren, Adam (Nola), Sean (Amanda), Jeffrey (Amanda), Heather (Al Rempel), and Lee (Jason Hurton), great-grandchildren, Emma, Mary, Caitlyn, Hannah, Cole and Lily, nieces, Karen, Barbara, Bob (Michelle), Murray (Pat), and Cathy (Brian Wagner). He was predeceased by his parents, Ivor and Ellen, his brother Hubert, in-laws, Herbert and Agnes Mortimer, and sisters-in-law, Joan Mortimer, Marguerite and Dorothy. Bill was born in Skewen, Wales on April 28, 1920 and immigrated to Canada with his parents and brothers in 1926. He grew up and attended school in West Kildonan. At the age of 16, he started working at Manitoba Bridge with his father. When the Second World War broke out, he heeded the call to serve his country and became a decorated war veteran in the Canadian Navy out of Halifax from 1939 to 1945. Bill married Jean in 1942. After the war, he went back to Manitoba Bridge and also starred as a hockey, lacrosse, and soccer player. He excelled in soccer and, in a game versus the English national team in 1950 matched with the great Sir Stanley Matthews, he was renowned for his strong play against the best player in the world. Bill and Jean raised their family in the North End on Inkster Blvd. He started working as a bus driver for Winnipeg Transit in 1954 and did so for 31 years before retiring in 1985. Bill enjoyed many great summers camping with Jean and family both in their tent and pop-up trailer. Later years saw many relaxing winters, fun times, and many great friends at Magic Valley Park in Weslaco, Texas and two memorable trips to Hawaii. In 1972, Bill and Jean moved to an apartment, Victoria Arms, in St. James, where they were for 32 years as active members of the Senior's Club and many long-lasting friendships were made. In 2006, there was a move to a brand new Concordia Village which brought the entire family closer together in East Kildonan. Within the last month, Bill joined Jean as a resident at Concordia Place and they were together at the end as dad would have wanted it and as it should have been. Bill truly enjoyed life, was always willing to joke around, and was often the life of any party. He shared and created laughter wherever he went and in any crowd. He definitely knew the value of hard work and was the original self-taught man when it came to any household or mechanical project. He was the first to lend a hand when work needed to be done. Family occasions were very special to Bill and he never missed any, including birthdays, holidays, graduations, baptisms, weddings, and games. He sincerely loved, and was very proud of, everyone in his family. His devotion and care for his beloved Jean, especially over the past five years when her health was failing, was incredible. He valued, and very much enjoyed, the simple things in life - a good meal with family and friends and lots of laughter. He will be especially missed at all family gatherings and celebrations. Special thanks to the staff on the 3rd Floor of Concordia Place for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Concordia Foundation, 1095 Concordia Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S8. As per dad's request, cremation has already taken place. Interment will occur at a later date at St. John's Cathedral. A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main at Inkster. Dad - we love you - we already miss you. It is difficult thinking about you not being there with us. You were so important in all of our lives, we will treasure your memory and all we learned from you - rest in peace. For as I like a young man in whom there is something of the old, so I like an old man in whom there is something of the young; and he who follows this maxim, in body will possibly be an old man, but he will never be an old man in mind. - Cicero

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 08, 2009