Thomas BELCHER

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BELCHER: Thomas Belcher. Three years after surviving a major heart attack and the declining health that followed, Thomas Belcher died on December 9, 2009, in Minnedosa, Manitoba. Tom was born at the homestead in the Merridale District of Manitoba on November 25, 1921 to Harold and Betsy (Poyser) Belcher. He was the sixth child in the family of eight. When the family moved to Bield District he began his schooling at Bield where the children were transported in a horse-drawn van. He enlisted in the Air Force in the fall of 1941 and after his discharge four years later he took the two year Diploma course in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. From 1947-48 he worked at the Experimental farm in Summerland, B.C. and then at lumber camps until he bought his first farm in the Veterans Land Project at Birch River, Manitoba in 1949. He met Irene Wilson in 1948 at Summerland and they were married in 1954. In 1964 he sold the Birch River farm and bought an undeveloped section of land near Glenella, Manitoba. At first he had a few sheep and a goat to milk but soon after, acquired a few cattle. By the time of his retirement he had built up a herd of purebred Charolais. Tom and Irene retired to Brandon in the spring of 1991 where Tom welcomed the opportunity to be on a baseball team, as he had been in his youth. He enjoyed contributing his energies to Seniors for Seniors until his hearing began to fail. In the Brandon years there were many special times with his children and grandchildren. He was able to travel in the States, Manitoba, Ontario, BC, and had two trips of adventure while visiting relatives in Australia and New Zealand. He had a warm and close relationship with all his brothers and sisters and enjoyed many Belcher family gatherings and visits with Irene’s family. Gardening remained a passion with him as he cultivated and planted every corner of the Brandon lot. Tom was a keen observer of nature and noticed and valued every bird and flower. He inspired others with his zest for life and his appreciation of every living thing. He liked to take something that was nothing and make it useful. His “bikeshop” in his garage in Brandon brought him a great deal of satisfaction. There were always children asking for Tom and his skills, and Tom enjoying who they were, being patient and generous, yet always making sure that they had earned whatever it was they’d come for --giving them also that little bit of extra learning, confidence and work ethic whether they liked it or not. In the off-season he kept busy with various crafts. Basket-weaving suited him well because of the many walks by the river as he gathered materials, and because he was able to share his skills with others. When the city began to grow and surround them, Tom and Irene moved to an acreage near Minnedosa in the fall of 2006. Here Tom joyfully returned to his roots. He was a true pioneer and this was his third “homestead”. He believed it was a virtue to live a simple and healthful life. He had a very independent spirit and had strong convictions on any current topic. In the last years he revealed his love for music and poetry as he shared his many happy memories. Tom was predeceased by his parents; brothers Jim Belcher and John Belcher; sisters Phoebe Murchison, Anne Adam, and Rose Dykstra. He is survived by his wife Irene Belcher (nee Wilson); children Alta (Ken) Fedak, Audrey (Dave) Clempson and Gregory Belcher; grandchildren Chris, Shari, and Erin Fedak, and Paul Clempson; brother Bill (Winifred) Belcher and sister Nellie Rusk. Cremation has taken place and the Funeral Service will be held at a later date. Clarke’s Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements. clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 19, 2009