HALLDOR (DORI) EINAR SOLBERG EASTMAN

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HALLDOR (DORI) EINAR SOLBERG EASTMAN On Wednesday, September 8th, 2010, with his loving family at his bedside, our husband, father and Afi, Halldor (Dori) Eastman passed away to be with God, relieving him from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's Disease. Dori leaves behind to cherish his memory: his beautiful and caring wife Pat, daughter Michelle and her husband Rob Kanaski, daughter Heidi and her husband Jason Johnson, grandchildren Kolten and Kiera Kanaski, and Kaylie and Hunter Johnson, mother-in-law Oskie Vidalin, sister Margaret (Steini) Sigvaldason, brother Alfred Buddy (Sandra) Eastman, sister Gladys (Bobby) Gudmundson, sister Irene Julius, sister Rosemarie (Roger) Maksymchuk, brother-in-law David (Patti) Vidalin, sister-in-law Darlene D'Hont and Bruce Hodge, sister-in-law Heather (Greg) Woytowich, as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends. He was predeceased by his parents Halldor and Herdis Eastman, and his father-in-law John Vidalin. Dori was born in Riverton Manitoba on October 25th, 1944, the fourth of six children in the Eastman family. Dori spent all his early years in his hometown of Riverton, where he went to school, got his first job as a paper boy, and where, at the local skating rink, he met the love of his life Pat Vidalin. Dori and Pat dated for four years before tying the knot at the Riverton Lutheran Church on August 2, 1969. Before long, Dori was the very proud father of two beautiful daughters, Michelle and Heidi. Although Pat was the love of his life, the girls were his inspiration. He loved them so much, and was so proud of all their life's achievements. And when the girls had their own children, it was then that the real spoiling began!! Dori's grandkids meant the world to him. And the kids loved their Afi DoDo with all their hearts. In 1962, opportunity literally came knocking on Dori's front door. A family friend said that he was recruiting people to work for Manitoba Hydro in the Riverton area and wondered if Dori was interested. That marked the first day of a 38 year career with Hydro which lead him to several different areas of Manitoba including Riverton, Winnipeg, Beausejour, Selkirk, and finally Gimli, where he retired at the age of 55 in the fall of 2000. Dori began his Manitoba Hydro career as a lineman in 1962 until a terrible fall from a 68 foot hydro pole in April, 1969 sent him to hospital with several broken bones. As a result of the fall, Dori decided that he should begin a new career path within Manitoba Hydro and joined Planning and Development. This career move kept him behind a desk, safe at ground level, and allowed him to show off his real talents within the organization. Dori was well liked and respected within the Manitoba Hydro community. Dori loved to play and watch hockey. He played for the Riverton Lions when he was young, and was involved in the executive with the Beausejour Jr B Comets when he lived there. He loved to be at the rink. He coached the girls in ringette and refereed their games. When his grandkids started playing he came to the rink to cheer. He was the proudest Afi in the stands. Dori also loved to golf, curl, go to Winnipeg Blue Bomber games with Heidi, and just be the greatest dad and afi that he could be. Dori was a very kind and gentle man who never had a cross word for anyone. Dori started every day with his morning coffee and his diet of cookies would keep him going through the day. He and Pat loved to travel. Some places visited included: Doha Qatar, Trinidad - Tobago, Las Vegas, Florida, Mexico, Egypt and the Caribbean. There were hopes of many more exotic trips, but unfortunately Dori was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease which limited their ability to travel. Dori fought a tough battle with the disease, and was only successful for so long because of the unfaltering love and dedication of his loving wife Pat. A service of remembrance will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Riverton Community Centre. The family would like to thank all the staff at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre for the wonderful care given to Dori over the last year of his life. It is comforting to know that he was so well looked after and you should all be commended for your kindness, understanding and professionalism. We know you are dancing up in heaven and will always watch over us. Your smile will live in our hearts forever! GODA NOTT ELSKAN In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that a donation be made in Dori's honour to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 11, 2010