THOMAS LOUIS CASSELS

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THOMAS LOUIS CASSELS It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tom Cassels on November 11, 2011 at 81 years of age. Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife Martha of 58 years, and his three sons: Ron (Dorotea), Jen and Alex; David (Jill) of Vancouver, Melanie and Garret; Jim, Zach, Brandon, and Madison; his sister Janet Sekora of Vancouver, and brothers and sisters-in-law Ted and Sharon Bockstael, Alan and Jackie Bockstael, Ray and Janine Duguay of Gatineau, Quebec, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. Tom was born in Winnipeg in 1930 and grew up in St. Boniface attending Provencher School. He joined the CNR Police in 1952, working in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, and Vancouver, retiring in 1986. Tom with his wife Martha enjoyed the company of good friends in many activities. This included sampling the restaurants of Winnipeg, especially Two for Tuesdays, frequent Casino trips to the States, and a few trips, the most memorable of which was a month spent in Maui. Tom's greatest love was time spent with family and friends at the lake. It started with working at Grand Beach in the Ginger Beer stand as a boy; later the building of the Bockstael family cabin at Nutimik Lake, and then his own at Lester Beach where he spent 41 enjoyable summers enjoying happy hour, fish fries, theme dinners, cards, and sitting in the sun. Thirty-three years of Tom and Archie's Horseshoe Tournaments will be his legacy. Years ago Tom survived colon cancer and although being told he only had two years to live, stumped his doctors and with his positive attitude outlived their predictions by many years. Dad's last year was difficult for him but he was able to enjoy his final summer at the cottage and we are very thankful to all the Home Care workers in the Lester Beach area who made this possible. As Dad said while sitting on the deck at the cabin at the end of the summer with a drink in hand, This is life . In keeping with Tom's wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, November 18, at 11:00 in Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald St. Flowers are gratefully declined but if friends so desire donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E. J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 16, 2011