HOWARD ALEXANDER MITCHELL

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HOWARD ALEXANDER MITCHELL Howard, Mitch, Sonny, Dad, Grandpa and his least favorite, Howie passed on May 8, 2017 with his daughter and the love of his family surrounding him. We did not want him to go but the last several months have been a great struggle and we are grateful that his suffering is over. He leaves to mourn his passing, daughter Cynthia Bauer (Curt); and beloved grandchildren, Colby, Alyssa and Blake. He was predeceased by his father Howard (1983), mother Marie (1988), sister Mary (1993) and wife Evelyn (2008). My dad was born 'on the kitchen table' in Etobicoke, Toronto to parents Marie McQuaid and Howard Mitchell on January 21, 1935. His sister Mary was born 22 months later. Sonny and Sis, as they were affectionately known, were a dynamic duo having many childhood adventures and mischievous times. Sports were a big part of their lives and in particular baseball. Dad was a pitcher for a high level team in Toronto and I was witness to his great ability to throw a slider, knuckle, curve and fast ball when we played catch. When my dad was 10 his father left to go west for a job and to return to his Saskatchewan roots, leaving my dad and his sister to be raised by their single mother. Single parent families were not commonplace back then but my grandmother was a woman ahead of her time, independent and 'tough as nails'! At age 19 dad left home to find his dad and his fortune out west. He took a gig driving a car to get there and met his dad and stepmother Vi at the McLaren Hotel. This began a new relationship with his father and Winnipeg became his forever home. He worked a few different jobs but the trainman job at CNR stuck (37 years). Dad was passionate about unions and during his early tenure at CN became involved with the United Transportation Union. He completed a University of Manitoba Labour Certificate with a Bronze Medal and was president of his union for one term. Dad was a lifelong diehard NDPer and in engaging in political discussions with him you had better have all your facts straight or he would straighten you out. Dad married Evelyn Hryhorchuk in January 1960 and I was born in April 1967. I know, because he told me, he wasn't expecting the joy of being a dad, but after I was born to the moment of his passing he was a devoted father and grandfather, the best. My fondest childhood memories are the many camping trips we did across Canada and the USA in the camper van that dad built from an empty shell. He was not a handyman but when he took on a renovation project "good enough" was never good enough. Dad retired from the CNR in 1990, freedom 55, which was the plan but made a little easier after the CN group of 10's lotto 649 win. In retirement dad enjoyed travelling immensely and had many fun times with tour groups organized by friend and travel agent Adriana Lombardini. While there were many highlights across the globe, the Caribbean Disney Cruise with his grandchildren and their utter delight was maybe his greatest travel highlight of all. As a grandfather, Dad was the kids number one fan attending every sporting event and was encouraging, enthusiastic and supportive but also never one to hold back "telling it like it is". The kid's friends knew him as the stylin' grandpa with the cool hats. Looking good and dressing well were important to my father. In his 82 years he never wore or owned a pair of jeans. We will miss the patriarch of our small family more than words can say but we have many fond memories to comfort us. Thank you to Dr Coates and staff on 4E at St Boniface Hospital. The work you do is amazing. At dad's request there will be no funeral. A family interment will be planned for a later date. Dad was a very charitable man. In lieu of all else, please give to a charity of your choice. I'm sure it was one he supported (including The Humane Society despite his contention that the only good dog was a hot dog). Dad, the point is, we love you!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 13, 2017