MERVYN JOHN WATTINGER

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MERVYN JOHN WATTINGER It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mervyn on June 19, 2011 at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, with his family by his side. Merv fought valiantly through his various illnesses but near the end had little left to give and we couldn't be more proud of the man we call Husband, Father and Friend. He was predeceased by his parents John and Jean Wattinger and by his cousin, Fran Collins, who was like a sister to him. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Carol and his children, Bruce (Sherry), Doug and Nancy. Also left to remember him is his cousin Connie Walkey who, like Fran, was considered a sister by him. Merv was born May 30, 1934 in Winnipeg and attended Ralph Brown School, Faraday School and St. John's Tech before starting his career as an architectural draftsman at Westeel. His skill-sets and experience served him well when moving on to Moody and Moore, Crippen Acres and finally with the Federal Government's Department of National Defence, after which he happily retired to enjoy more time with his family and friends. For the most part, Merv was the financial provider of the family and worked hard to ensure a good life for all of us. He loved spending time with Carol, his Sweetheart, whom he cherished with all he had and whom he deeply admired for all the character and skills she brought to the family. His secret indulgence was stealing a dance with her whenever he got the chance. He equally loved spending time with his children, transporting them to and from their sporting activities, watching quietly, proudly and intently from the stands. Many of his weekends were spent with the family at the trailer in West Hawk Lake. He loved to cross-country ski with his friends, walk every weekend with Carol and the Windy City Wanderers, fish the lakes of Eastern Manitoba with his sons and golf at the Forces Base Golf Course with family and friends and at Kildonan Park Golf Course with whomever he could get a game with. His ideal vacation would be packing up the family vehicle and driving across the country, stopping at the many scenic overlooks along the way where we would enjoy a picnic lunch. His skill with the pencil and artistic flair led to many drawings, sketches and paintings that he proudly showed off. He thoroughly enjoyed life and his many groups of friends where he was always the life of the party. His sense of humour and tremendous wit always had people laughing, even up until the last few days of his life. He was a proud but humble man who has left a legacy that many would envy and we could not have been more grateful of the man who guided us through life to this point. Near the end, we were able to share days of quality time with him, which we will always remember and consider a gift. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m., at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street. A private family interment will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff in Dialysis 1 and Dialysis 2 at Seven Oaks Hospital who did their best to ensure Merv's time there was as comfortable as it could be. Many thanks, as well, to the dedicated and compassionate team of doctors and nurses on the 3rd floor, Unit 5, at Seven Oaks Hospital who ensured his short stay with them was met with the dignity he deserved. We are also very thankful to all the family and friends who kept in contact with him over the years and to those who visited him in the hospital to keep that sense of humour alive as long as it did. We are forever grateful to all whose words of advice and support comforted us these last few weeks and days. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be sent to either the Kidney Foundation of Canada - Manitoba Branch or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Arrangements by Glen Eden Funeral Home, 338-7111, www.glendeden-mb.ca You can shed tears that he is gone Or you can smile because he lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see him Or you can be full of the love that you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him and only that he is gone Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 21, 2011