MARION SAMUEL HANDOGA

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MARION SAMUEL HANDOGA It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our dearly loved husband, father and grandfather, Marion Zeke Handoga on April 26, 2011. Zeke will be lovingly remembered by his wife Olive, his son Bradford, daughter-in-law Jodi, and granddaughters Leigh and Lauryn, as well as his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Darlene and Louis Fisette and their family. Marion was born July 29, 1932, the only child of Samuel and Mary Handoga. Zeke spent his entire life in the North End. At the age of 17 Marion began his 36 year career with C.P. Rail starting as a blacksmith and working his way up to foreman of the Blacksmith shop, retiring in 1987. In 1977 he was awarded the Order of St. John. He was a 50 year member of W.R.P.A holding a director position and later governor. A prank phone call from a group of girlfriends led to a meeting with Olive Wells who would become his wife in 1958. They shared a wonderful, loving relationship. Also that year they purchased their land at Macara Lake at Ingolf, Ontario. Zeke and his father would spend the next number of years hand cutting and scraping the logs for the cabin and collecting stone for the rock fireplace. Many happy years were spent out at the lake or the camp as he called it. Lifelong friendships were made over a drink or two of scotch in front of the fire. He loved to fish, starting as a child, in the Red River then travelling with his father and friends to many locations around Manitoba. Hunting was also another of Zeke's passions. One of his favourite places to go was Carberry where he hunted with family and friends for decades. The walls of the cabin are a testament to his love of hunting. Zeke was a true artisan, a talented man, who painted in oil, carved wood, and loved knife making. Zeke also loved to dance and sing. He was very light on his feet (being only 135 pounds?) and was able to glide across the dance floor. During dances and socials he was rarely not on the dance floor. His love of singing goes as far back as high school where he participated and sang in plays. During family Christmas celebrations, Uncle Zeke was the lead singer which brought him great joy. He was a wonderful father to his only child Brad, passing on his love of hunting and fishing. Many adventures were taken together to the wilds of Manitoba, hunting but mostly just spending time together with friends. The camaraderie was as important if not more important than the pursuit of the quarry. These cherished father and son times were opportunities for conversation and to pass on values. After retirement Zeke and Olive took many trips to Alberta and British Columbia to visit Brad and Jodi and many other family members and friends. Brad and his father had many more hunting and fishing adventures throughout British Columbia. He also enjoyed his time with his coffee buddies at Garden City. Zeke was pretty much fearless....with one exception, his fear of heights. When at an early age Brad was allowed to fly a friend's airplane, Zeke was happy to arrive back on the ground, not appreciating the aircraft being flown at a hard angle. This theme was repeated while driving on British Columbia logging roads carved into the side of mountains. This would push Zeke to the brink of losing his normally calm demeanour, threatening bodily harm should the truck go any closer to the edge of the road. Brad would laugh saying how else are we going to see over the edge. Zeke's daughter-in-law, Jodi, was the daughter that he never had, he loved teasing her and matching wits with her. He found her a formidable opponent and took delight in their relationship. Leigh and Lauryn were the proverbial apple of Grandpa Zeke's eye. He dearly loved his two granddaughters, telling stories, teasing them and making them laugh. He took great joy in the fact that they enjoyed the outdoors and especially Macara Lake. Both girls are fairly certain that Grandpa Zeke was a Pirate. They will dearly miss him. Cremation has taken place and a service will be held May 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 730 McPhillips St., Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, St. Barnabas Anglican Church or a charity of your choice. Korban Funeral Chapel - 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 07, 2011