John WEBSTER

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WEBSTER: John Milton Webster. Milt passed away peacefully June 2, 2010 in Calgary, Alberta well into his 94th year and surrounded by his family who loved him dearly. Milt was born August 25, 1916 in Rivers, Manitoba to Mabel (Rogers) and Sandy Webster. His grandparents homesteaded north of Brandon in the late 19th century, having come west from Ontario. Though Milt moved to Brandon with his parents when he was four years old, he spent many happy weekends and summer holidays with aunts, uncles and cousins in the Forrest area as he was growing up, and he felt a strong emotional connection to the region all his life. Milt is survived by the love of his life and his wife of 69 years Laura (Dietrich), his daughter Lynne and son-in-law Dr. Bill Kearns, grandsons Dr. Tim Kearns (Michele Durling), Andrew Kearns (Melanie McMaster) and great grandsons Ross, Scott, William, Reid, Sawyer, Hudson and Wyatt Kearns all of Calgary and his granddaughter Jane Kearns (Andy Kurelek) of Burlington, Ontario. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother- in-law Elsie and Jack Wilson of Vernon, British Columbia, cousin Jack Webster of Brandon, nephews Wayne Webster of Oakburn, Manitoba and Robert Wilson of Vernon and niece Joanne Fortin of Souris, Manitoba and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Murray and Clare, niece Marilyn Wilson and special cousins Murray and Bonar Leybourne. Milt was employed by International Harvester Company in Brandon until 1961 when he transferred to Winnipeg, retiring in 1978. He served overseas during WW11 with The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, 3rd Division. Milt and Laura moved to Calgary in 1999 to be closer to family. Milt, who had a delicious sense of humour, treasured his many friendships, some decades old including Don and Shirley Harper, Dick Gilhouly and Terry Steer. As a young man in Brandon Milt belonged to The Rut Riders Motorcycle Club, raced stock cars, enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent his winters curling at The Wheat City Curling Club. Milt and Laura loved their cottage at Sandy Lake and spent many happy times there prior to moving to Calgary. Milt was extremely proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and their accomplishments, and they considered him to be an awesome Grandpa and Great Grandpa. He demonstrated to them, in this busy world, that life can be rich in contentment and happiness by celebrating simple things; faith, honest work, good neighbours, dear friends and family. Reverend Nadene Rogers officiated at a private graveside service commemorating Milt’s life on June 10th at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens, Calgary. The family would like to thankfully acknowledge Dr. P Quayle and the wonderful staff on Richard’s Way, Chinook Care Centre in Calgary for their sensitive attention to Milt’s needs over the past three years.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 12, 2010