STERLING FRANK CROOKS

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STERLING FRANK CROOKS November 24, 1927 - November 3, 2015 It is with deep sadness the family of Sterling Crooks announces his passing at the age of 87 years. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years in 2014; his brother Leslie, and parents Myra and Harvey. Sterling was born and raised in a unique fishing village called Big Tancook Island located off the coast of Chester, Nova Scotia. He was educated in a one room schoolhouse, enjoyed a close knit community and a loving family. As a young teenager Sterling made his way to Halifax to enlist in the Armed Forces, he was sent to Portage la Prairie for training and while stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador he met Mary and wed her on her 18th birthday. Sterling's military career spanned 37 years with postings to Chatham, NB, Moisie, QC, 2 Wing Grostenquin, France, Summerside, PEI, Gimli and Winnipeg, MB. His last transfer was to Trenton, ON where he retired as a Captain in 1983. Sterling and Mary moved back to Winnipeg in 2005 to be closer to their children. Dad made the best clam chowder and sauerkraut and he relished a "good feed" of lobster and corned beef cabbage. In the good old days Sterling enjoyed hockey and curling but his greatest passions were golfing, playing cards, vegetable gardening and going out onto the Atlantic Ocean to trap lobsters with his brother Leslie. Dad you were a quiet and generous father, your spirit lives within us, always in our hearts, never to be forgotten. Left to lovingly remember Sterling are his sons, Gary (Nancy), Blair (Doris) and Dana; daughter Debra Vockeroth (Bob); daughter-in-law, Darlene Darrah; six grandchildren, Ashleigh, Kelli (Tyler), Steven, Carolyn (Corey), Lindsay and Sierra; six great-grandchildren Melaina, Holdyn, McKinley, Zakk, Drew and Carter. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. G. Hasdan, nursing staff, health care aides, dietary and administrative support on Tower 4, Deer Lodge Centre for their guidance and compassion during this difficult time. We would like to thank the staff on 3E who took wonderful care of our dad during his past illnesses. We are grateful to Alison Kennedy and Judith of Kennedy Cognitive Services for their communication skills which allowed our father to connect in a special way, and thank you Dr. D. Hobson of the Movement Disorder Clinic for your treatment of Dad's Parkinson's disease. In accordance with Sterling's wishes there will be no funeral service. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements 204.897.4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik's online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2015