JOHN ALBERT (STEWART) WILKINSON

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JOHN ALBERT (STEWART) WILKINSON Stewart passed away peacefully on Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Tudor House Personal Care Home at the age of 90 years. Stewart was born in Brandon, MB, on March 4, 1920 and moved in 1934 to Portage la Prairie, MB to farm with his parents and siblings. He attended school, when he wasn't hiding under the rhubarb leaves with his brother Donnie. He played hockey for the Portage Terriers, winning the Manitoba Midget Championship in 1934-1935 and the Manitoba Jr. B Championship in 1940. His working life consisted of operating heavy equipment; there was not a machine he could not operate or fix. His construction travels took him to many job sites from Hamilton, ON (Burlington Bridge) to Port Arthur, ON (grain terminal) to Limestone, MB (generating station), to Birds Hill Park, MB (as a trainer), to the oil fields of Alberta to Hudson Hope, BC (WC Bennet Dam), and also the Dew line in the Arctic. Out of necessity, he stepped up to the plate as the camp cook which fine tuned his cooking skills with the cast iron frying pan. He enjoyed watching sports, cooking, old time music and was a regular at the office . Stewart was predeceased by his wife Muriel and her sister Betty, his parents, brothers and sister. He is survived by his five sons: Murray and wife Joan, Owen and wife Marilyn, Daniel, Neil and wife Kristin, Eric and wife Jennifer, and three daughters: Betty Anne and Ken, Rita Marie and husband Herb, Inez and husband Tom. Also his grandchildren: Rhonda and husband Réal, Steven, Austin and wife Michelle, Kyle, Kristopher and Matthew, Zachary and Ryan, Fahryn, Muriel and Maxx, Ayla and Dane. A week prior to his passing, Grandpa found out that in his 90th year, he was finally to be a great-grandfather. As per Dad's wishes, there will be no formal service. A private family interment of ashes will be held at a later date. Many thanks to the wonderful, caring, compassionate staff at the Tudor House Personal Care Home. If friends so desire, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2010