RICHARD (DICK) ORIN WHITLAW

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RICHARD (DICK) ORIN WHITLAW It is with enormous sadness that we announce the passing of a great man. On December 5, 2011, Richard Orin Whitlaw slipped away peacefully in his sleep at his son's home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Richard was born on December 31, 1931 in Deloraine, Manitoba to parents John Whitlaw and Ruth Boles. Richard was the middle child and will be dearly missed by Jack his eldest brother (1929) and Bob his younger brother (1933). Richard grew up in the Dirty Thirties on his family farm near the banks of Whitewater Lake, MB. In his early years of schooling, he went to a one room schoolhouse Petersburg #766 in Whitewater with his brothers; the boys were pulled to class in a cart by their faithful Shetland pony Peter Pan. Richard graduated high school from Falconer Collegiate in Deloraine, MB. Through his best friend Harold Johnson, Richard met his beautiful wife Harold's younger sister, Margaret (1934-2007), whom he married on June 9, 1956. Richard and Margaret had three wonderful children: Scott (Nancy), Brian (Margaret), and Lois (1961-2009); and seven doting grandchildren: Jacquie, Byron, Samantha, Alyssa, Jane, Erik, and Teagan. Richard worked for Canadian General Electric from 1950-1980. He began his career in the Winnipeg warehouse in a menial position and worked his way up to become a part of their Western Canada management team. Richard began work as a realtor from 1980 until his retirement in 1996. In 1980, Richard joined the Masons, like his father and brother Bob. He was an esteemed member of the Masonic Temple St. James Lodge #121, serving as Past Grand Master, Past Master, Lodge Historian and Secretary. Richard had a lifelong passion for baseball as a player, a coach and a fan. He was a founding member of Kirkfield Park (later KW) community club and a driving force behind the formation of the St. James A's junior baseball team. He was also a life member of Little Canadian Baseball Association. Dick was a golfer, and loved to fish and hunt with his son Brian and his buddies. He also loved playing cards and joined bridge tournaments weekly. Richard will be missed by many and wished for us to pass along a message: What a great family, what great friends, what great memories. Thank you all and best wishes. - Richard Memorial service will be held on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 07, 2011