ALBERT HENRY HEATON

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ALBERT (AL) HENRY HEATON With sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our father, Albert (Al) Henry Heaton, on June 21, 2016, with his family at his side. Al was predeceased by wife of 59 years, Irene (nee Brown); his father Herbert Heaton; mother Elizabeth Singleton; stepfather Hugh Ross Singleton; and brothers, Stewart Heaton and Ross Singleton. He is survived by his three children, Stewart (Darlene), Jim (Cathie) and Ann (Daryl); and grandchildren, Derrick, Ryan, David (Elisabeth) and Julia (Dan); and his brother Roy (Jeanette). Al was born on February 15, 1924 in Regina, Saskatchewan. In 1928, after the sudden passing of his father, Al and his mother moved to Winnipeg while older brother Stewart was sent to live with relatives at the family farm in Saskatchewan. His mother remarried, two younger brothers, Ross and Roy were born into the family. At the age of 10, with the passing of his stepfather Hugh Singleton, Al took on many small jobs to help support the family. Assisting the milkman, coalman and ice man with their deliveries and selling papers on Portage Avenue were just a few. On Blue Bomber game days he would sell peanuts in the stands at Osborne Stadium and after school would shag footballs during their practice. Al attended high school at the old Gordon Bell High School. Following in his brother's footsteps, Al joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and in 1944 shipped overseas where he served in England and Germany. After the war he stayed on with the occupational forces stationed in Germany and was repatriated in the summer of 1946. He returned to Winnipeg and worked several jobs as he continued to support his mother and young brothers. In 1947, he began his 36 year long airline career, starting with Trans Canada Airlines as an Airport Passenger Agent and retiring from Air Canada in 1983 as Manager, Passenger Services. After his mother Elizabeth passed away, Al became guardian and caregiver to his youngest brother Roy. Al and Irene were married in 1955, moving to Windsor Park in 1956, where they raised their three children. Both Al and Irene spent many hours involved with Stewart, Jim and Ann's school and sport activities. He was one of the very early members of Winakwa Community Club and spent many nights volunteering and maintaining the hockey rinks and baseball fields so that the youth in the neighbourhood would have a safe place to play. Al enjoyed golfing, curling, and summer trips to the west coast to visit his younger brother Roy, as well as travelling with family to Europe and Barbados, a family favourite. In his later years, Al enjoyed the simpler things in life; going for coffee, sitting out in St. Vital Park, following his grandson's Brandon Wheat King Hockey Club and a five o'clock glass of wine. The family would like to thank the St. Boniface General Hospital Fourth Floor and Palliative Care Units for their care and compassion during Dad's brief illness. A private family graveside service was held June 27, 2016 at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 16, 2016