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ALAN BARDAL FINNBOGASON
Born: Aug 24, 1921
Date of Passing: Jul 10, 2019
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ALAN BARDAL FINNBOGASON
1921 - 2019
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Marguerite, brothers, Paul, Tom, Bill and Chris, and son Charles. He is survived by his daughter Eve and her husband James Fitzgerald, daughter-in-law Hanna, sister-in-law Elaine Finnbogason, special cousins, Agnes Bardal Comack and Sigrid Bardal McKee (Bill), as well as many nephews and nieces.
Alan was born in Winnipeg on August 24, 1921, the third of Olavia and Guttormer's sons, the 'Five Finnbogason Boys'. He spent his early years in Lundar, Manitoba before the family moved back to Winnipeg. He grew up in a loving and happy home, filled with friends, extended family and music. The coffee was always on and there was room at the dinner table for anyone the boys brought home. He attended John M. King School, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and United College. When war was declared, he followed his older brothers, Paul and Tom into the Air Force and trained with the Commonwealth Air Training Program. He served overseas with the Royal Air Force as a Flying Officer throughout the Second World War and remained actively involved with the Air Force Reserve and Air Cadet League of Canada for many years.
When Alan returned home from England after the war, he was immediately smitten with a tall, beautiful blonde he spotted at the Canoe Club. He pursued Marguerite with determination, and they were married in 1949. Children Charles and Eve completed the family. He was a devoted husband and father who was far ahead of his time when it came to sharing household responsibilities like child care and cooking.
Alan spent his entire career with the T. Eaton Company, retiring in 1986 after 45 years of service. He worked his way up in the company and ultimately held senior management positions, including Head of the Food Services and Restaurant Division for western Canada. He enjoyed his work immensely and found great satisfaction in all aspects of retailing. He was also responsible for helping many students (including his children, nieces, nephews and friends' children) get their first part-time job at Eaton's. He mentored many young men and women throughout his career and volunteer work, and was always proud when they succeeded.
Alan believed strongly in community service and was a tireless volunteer. He served as President of a number of organizations, including the Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation, the Better Business Bureau of Winnipeg, the Manitoba Travel and Convention Bureau, the United Services Institute, the St. James YMCA and the Air Cadet League of Manitoba. He also participated as a Director on the boards of the Federal Council on Multiculturalism, the Federal Tourism Advisory Council for Manitoba, the Air Cadet League of Canada, the Manitoba Design Institute, the Winnipeg Convention Centre, Heritage Winnipeg, Tourism Manitoba and too many other organizations to list.
Alan was a wonderful cook and loved to make meals for friends and family. It was never too much trouble for him to prepare whatever his children might want for breakfast (including freshly squeezed juice) even on a weekday morning. He and Marguerite enjoyed travelling throughout North America, the Caribbean (especially Grand Cayman in the early years) and Europe, as well as spending many summers at their cottage at Gimli. He was a proud member of the Icelandic Canadian community and counted himself fortunate to have loving brothers, as well as many friends. He will be remembered as a kind, public-spirited man and a wonderful husband and father.
When his health and memory began to fail, Alan moved to the Golden West Centennial Lodge in 2009. He was reunited with Marguerite when she joined him there in 2011, and they had adjoining rooms and their own table for two at meals until her passing in January, 2015. Special thanks to the staff on the fourth floor at Golden West for their kindness and compassionate care over the last 10 years.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will be held next Monday, July 22, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery).
A commemorative bench at Assiniboine Park in Alan's honour is being arranged and anyone who wishes to do so may make a donation in his name to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. For more information, please email tributeprograms@assiniboinepark.ca or call (204) 927-6022.
NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 13, 2019
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Mr. Finnbogason was a respected senior manager at Eatons’s in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I worked there to help pay for university tuition and although not in his department he was well known and seemed to embody the friendly, well groomed, bustling, and hard working executive of that era. He was also head of catering for the DMCI 50th anniversary dinner held at the old Wpg arena. I was on his committee, but to be honest, from my perspective, Mr. Finnbogason did it all. Hundreds of diners were served there and they occupied the central arena space as well as all the side halls under the stands. It was an example of another large scale task successfully completed under Mr. Finnbogason’s managing direction. - Posted by: Barry Esselmont (Eatons, DMCI ) on: Mar 23, 2023
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Mr. Finnbogason worked with both my Father and Grandfather at the Big Store for many years. He was always described as a man who got things done and a Manager who could always be relied upon. He was a big part of Eaton's work during the War Years and the big flood. He was held up to us younger Eatonians as an example of where you could get with hard work and initiative. In looking at his career, it must be said that Eaton's served millions of meals under his leadership and many innovative recipes and processes were developed under his leadership. Rest in Peace - Posted by: Allan Tucker (Eatonian) on: Jul 14, 2019
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I had the opportunity to work with Alan when he was a board member with Venture Manitoba and Gull Harbour Resort. He was a wonderful man and always proud to be of Icelandic heritage. Gotta nott elskan - Posted by: Susie Bjarnason (Friend) on: Jul 13, 2019
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Uncle Allan was an amazing man. We all looked forward to Boxing Day brunches perfectly executed by him! In the summers their wonderful cottage with private beachfront was a gathering place for our families and of course the food was beautifully laid out for all! Uncle Allan gave me my first job at Eaton's, first in the gift wrap department and then in 2nd Floor Fashions. He was a marvelous encourager and champion of women in the workplace, ahead of his time. He was easy to talk to - not just for me but so many people! His door was wide open and many people I know or have met have great stories about him. His mother, our grandmother (Ammi) to us, used to love to go to the Grill Room on Eaton's 5th floor to be treated like a Queen. She'd wave at all and proudly remark to all that Allan was her son. Just made her day! He will be missed and remembered by many. I salute you Uncle Allan...your loving niece.. Enid. (Daughter of Bill Finnbogason). - Posted by: Enid Finnbogason (Niece) on: Jul 13, 2019
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