James DALTON

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DALTON: James Stanley Dalton passed away peacefully on March 6, 2011, at the Minnedosa Personal Care Home. He was eighty-six. He was born in Birtle on July 10th, 1924 to James Howard Dalton and Laura Dalton (nee Kilpatrick). Jim was raised in and by the community of Birtle.  He was born with a disability that left him unable to walk until he was about five years old. He was always very grateful to the townspeople of Birtle who supported him when he was young and treated him so well all his life. He also had fond memories of time spent in Neepawa, where his parents grew up and extended family remained. He completed high school in Birtle and briefly attended United College (University of Winnipeg). He then joined his father in the family business, Dalton’s Hardware, which had many loyal customers who came from miles around. His father Jim, and he, “young Jim”, were well-liked and respected. He also became well-known as a glazier and handyman who could fix pretty much anything. He was an ardent community supporter. He served on St. George’s vestry for many years, and was instrumental in building the new church after a drastic fire, as well as helping build the Anglican Church Camp at Clear Lake. He was a long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce and a town councillor for many years. He supported both the curling and golf clubs and enjoyed each activity as long as he was able. He was a founding member of the Birdtail Country Museum and truly enjoyed collecting the stories and articles that told the history of his home town. He and May Mackay Gibson were married on January 16, 1952. They were blessed with four children, and the family was raised in the community he loved. He was very proud of their accomplishments as they grew up, and ensured they had the best of educations. May and Jim built their dream home in 1967, where they lived until failing health necessitated a move to Minnedosa in 2008, where all their children currently reside. After retirement in 1986, Jim and May travelled extensively, often with May’s sister Barbara and husband Tom Beattie. They especially enjoyed visits with their children, enjoying trips to such places as Inuvik, Lynn Lake, Churchill, New Brunswick and Alberta.  As the families drifted closer to home, Jim enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Jim was predeceased by his parents and his sister Corinne, brother-in-law Harry, most of his cousins and several close friends. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, May Mackay Dalton (Gibson), his children, Arthur, wife Lorraine Russell; Barbara, husband Ian Thorleifson; Mary, partner James Comrie; Janice, husband Tom Crook, and grandchildren, Janice, Andrew (Ashley), and Mary Dalton; Mullein (Derek), Heather (Ryan) and Cara Thorleifson (Brian); Jeremy (Karissa), Cory (Haili), Beatrice and Josh Butler and their father Grant Butler; Nathan, Trevor and Hannah Crook; and great grandsons Kade Butler and Rowan Spracklin.  Also surviving are his brother-in-law Lloyd Besselt, May’s brothers and sisters and many nephews and nieces and their families. The funeral will be held Saturday (today), March 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St. George’s Anglican Church in Birtle, with the Reverend Tess Meadows officiating. All those in attendance are considered Honorary Pall Bearers. Organist Eleanor Taylor graciously agreed to play at the service, to whom the family extends grateful thanks. Interment at the Birtle Cemetery will take place at a later date. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the caring staff at the Personal Care Home, who treated Dad with dignity and respect, and a dose of much appreciated humour. We would also like to thank the doctors of the Minnedosa Medical Group for their care and Minnedosa Funeral Service for their guidance and assistance.

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 12, 2011