DANIEL EDWARD LARKIN

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DANIEL EDWARD LARKIN Peacefully on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at the Portage General Hospital Daniel Larkin passed away at the age of 87 years. Dan was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on July 27, 1924 to Edward and Caroline. The Larkin family moved to Marquette area settling in the Bonnie Doon district in May of 1928. He started school in Warren, then Prairie School in Marquette, and finally finished grade 8 at Bonnie Doon School. Times were tough in the 30s and with eight brothers, going hungry wasn't uncommon. Thank God for bush rabbits and saskatoons! Dan worked for many farmers in the Poplar Heights district, notably Reg and Jim Wilkes. Jim became a lifelong friend. In 1942 Dan joined up with the army and went overseas joining the South Alberta Regiment as a tank driver. He was very proud to have served his country and especially so of the battle in the Falaise Gap where his commanding officer (Major Currie) was awarded the Victoria Cross. Dan was honourably discharged in 1946 and returned to the Poplar Heights district where he met and married Alma Tully on April 28, 1948. They bought the N.W. quarter of 9-13-3W, ran a mixed farm and raised their two sons. Dan was very much involved in the community, serving on the school board, a founding member of the Poplar Heights Marquette Credit Union, was instrumental in the construction of Oak Park Lodge for seniors in Woodlands as well as being a sixty-one year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. If anyone ever needed a helping hand Dan was sure to be there. Dan enjoyed sports, especially watching baseball, and putting many miles on the car driving the boys to play hockey. He also enjoyed reading, playing cards with cribbage being his favourite, jig saw puzzles, and of course conversation over a cup of coffee with friends. In 1982 Dan and Alma moved to Portage where he kept busy with his yard as well as being caretaker of the Elks Hall for a number of years. The last few years he lived at Regency House where he continued to make many new friends. Predeceased by his wife Alma, his brothers Frank, Jack, Ed, Paul, and Tom, brother-in-law Wilfred Tully, sisters-in-law Jean, Josie, Ester, Josie, and Lorna. Surviving Dan is son Ed (Sigrid), their children Kary (Uche) with Jordan, Kylie, and Sage, Laurie (Bill) with Mitchell and Jessica, son Dale (Dawn), their children April (Shayne), Neil (Brenda) with Katie and Alyssa. Surviving also are brothers Joe, Dennis, and Mark and sister-in-law Eileen along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and especially friends. The family would like to thank the staff on Skyview at Lions Prairie Manor for their kind care of Dan over the last seven months. A Memorial Service will be held in Dan's honour at Herman Prior Seniors Centre on June 4 at 1:00 p.m. with interment at a later date in Bonnie Doon Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined, if friends so desire donations in Dan's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are by Ronald Moffit Memorial Services, Portage la Prairie. www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 31, 2011