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RICHARD (DICK) MITCHELL GIRLING
Date of Passing: Jul 23, 2018
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryRICHARD (DICK) MITCHELL GIRLING It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard (Dick) Mitchell Girling on Monday, July 23, 2018, at Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, at the age of 83, a day before his 84th birthday. Remembering him with love is his wife of 58 years of marriage, Doreen; their children, Robert (Anne Louise), Elizabeth-Anne (Kurt) and Mary-Louise (James), as well as grandchildren, Sydney, Ashley, Adam and Alec. Also mourning his passing is his twin sister Margaret Burchill, and sister Catherine Daghestani (Ali), along with cousins, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. Dick was born on July 24, 1934 in Winnipeg and raised in North Battleford, SK. He entered Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, BC in 1952 and graduated with his diploma in Civil Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON in 1956. He went on to receive his BSc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan in 1957. Upon graduating Dick worked as a municipal engineer for a consulting firm in Edmonton. He served as a pilot with the 418 Reserve Squadron flying B-25 Mitchell Bombers and C-45's until 1959. During this time, he met Doreen Thistlethwaite in Saskatoon and they married on April 16, 1960 in Swift Current, SK. In 1963 Dick moved his young family to Winnipeg to work as a Design Engineer with the City of Winnipeg Waterworks Waste and Disposal Division. To help the City of Winnipeg end the discharge of raw sewage in local rivers, he was granted a sabbatical to complete post graduate studies at Iowa State University and received his Master of Environmental Engineering in 1970. With this knowledge he led the design and implementation of the South End Waste Treatment Plant, the first treatment plant in Canada to use high purity oxygen in Secondary Treatment, an accomplishment he was proud of. In 1981 Dick took a contract position in Seoul, Korea, to design a water transmission pipeline and water filtration plant for two Korean cities - an experience he remembered with fond memories. Dick continued to work for the City of Winnipeg Water Works on many projects until retiring in May 1995 as Engineer of Design and Construction. In retirement, Dick lived an active and full life with Doreen exploring Lake of the Woods on their sailboat, travelling to visit friends and family both near and far. They always kept busy with their backyard gardening which looked like the International Peace Gardens. They enjoyed volunteering with "Doors Open" with Heritage Winnipeg and also with All Saints' Anglican Church. Dick was an avid Bomber fan and volunteered for many years at the Winnipeg Blue Bomber games shuttling fans to and from their seats. His fascination with planes continued throughout his life and he volunteered weekly at the Western Canada Aviation Museum where he helped in restoring vintage aircraft and other miscellaneous jobs. One of Dick's lifelong passions was playing the tuba in the Westwood Community Band for 33 years. He was a long-time supporter of the Manitoba Branch of the RMC Club and always looked forward to attending RMC functions in Winnipeg and reunions in Kingston, ON. All these opportunities led to many acquaintances and dear friends. Dick loved spending time with his children, and more so, time with his grandchildren, attending activities and concerts and was proud of their achievements and milestones. Dick accomplished many things during his life, but he will be remembered mostly for his kind, gentle, fun-loving disposition. He will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life with reception to follow will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in All Saints' Anglican Church, Broadway and Osborne at 175 Colony Street, Winnipeg. Parking will be available on the street and at Great West Life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Parkinson's Canada. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Aug 11, 2018
RICHARD (DICK) MITCHELL GIRLING On Monday, July 23, 2018, Dick passed away at Riverview Health Centre at the age of 83 years. He would have been 84 on July 24, 2018. A Celebration of Life with reception to follow will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in All Saints' Anglican Church, 175 Colony Street, Winnipeg. Parking will be available on the street and at Great West Life. A longer obituary notice will follow in Saturday, August 11 newspaper edition. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Jul 28, 2018
RICHARD (DICK) MITCHELL GIRLING On Monday, July 23, 2018, Dick passed away at Riverview Health Centre at the age of 83 years. A longer obituary notice will follow. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Jul 24, 2018
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 24, 2018, Jul 28, 2018, Aug 11, 2018
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Doreen Marilyn came for lunch today & we were talking about Leslie humming as a baby when you were babysitting her. Decided to look you up on the internet as we wondered if you were still in Winnipeg. We are so sorry to find out that Dick recently passed away. Our sincere condolences to you & your family. I am still in the same house in Edmonton as are Charlie & Marilyn in St. Albert. Marilyn & Donna - Posted by: Donna Watson & Marilyn Schroder (Old friends from way, way back.) on: Sep 14, 2018
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So sorry to learn of Dick's passing. Wonderful memories of our days on Henday Bay with Dick come flooding back: The Annual street party, The famous "Henday Bay Christmas Carollers" and of course assisting Dick in coaching the KW Pee Wee hockey team. We were so very fortunate to have known Dick and Doreen in those wonderful years. We send our very best wishes to Doreen and family. Norm and Linda Weitzel, West Vancouver, B.C. - Posted by: Norm and Linda Weitzel (Friend and neighbours) on: Sep 05, 2018
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I met Dick when I joined the Westwood Community band a few years ago. We shared some enjoyable times playing at various functions. Right from the start he impressed me as being a kind, humble and very personable man. I am privileged to have known him. - Posted by: Neil Donley (Fellow Tuba player ) on: Aug 18, 2018
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Dick and Doreen were lifelong friends of ours. Doreen was my (Karen) best childhood friend and neighbour in Stewart Valley SK. We enjoyed their company, their children and visiting. We have wonderful memories of sailing on Lake of the Woods, Ray playing tennis with Dick and sharing mutual engineering experiences, discussing gardens, and trying new recipes during visits. This passing was way too soon, and we will miss Dick. Our prayers are with Doreen and family. - Posted by: KAREN & RAY BODNAR (Dear Friends) on: Aug 07, 2018
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Dick was my first boss when I started at the City of Winnipeg. He was a wonderful mentor and friend . I know you will miss Dick. Please accept our sincere condolences. Tom and Deborah Pearson - Posted by: Tom Pearson (Friend) on: Jul 28, 2018

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