Al ANDERSON

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ANDERSON: It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a dear husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, Al Anderson in Brandon on August 19, 2012. Alvin Anderson, Al to all his friends, was born on April 24, 1923, to Margaret and Stanley Anderson. Al was the youngest of five boys, with one younger sister. They all grew up on the farm just outside Arran Saskatchewan. In 1948, Al went to Ontario where he met Grace Wills. On November 11th, 1950, Al and Grace were married and moved to Arran. Two daughters, Eunice and Judy were born while Al and Grace were living in Arran. In 1956, they moved to Winnipeg, where Al soon got on with Powell Equipment. In 1959, the family moved to Brandon, where Jim was born in 1966. In Brandon, Al became a parts and service representative for Powel Equipment. He loved his work, and he did that work with integrity. He made friends wherever his work took him. The connections he made through his work endured long after his retirement, in 1988. When he suffered a severe stroke in 1995, Al was afraid he would never walk again but with hard work and determination, he recovered almost full mobility. Then he put his experience to work for others, joining the stroke support group, which he enjoyed so much. Right up to the end of his life, he loved to give others the encouragement they needed to make the best possible recovery. In these last years, as he was physically slowed, his life was made easier by his beloved scooter. The scooter meant he could make trips to the mall with Grace, or make it to McDonald's for coffee. Always a people person, wherever he went, Al always made the rounds, checking to see if there was anyone he knew. And if there was, he was sure to say hello. Despite health setbacks, Al continued to enjoy many things in life and considered each day a gift. When he came into hospital two months ago, his family hoped that, once again, he would rally. But this time, though the spirit was willing, Al's body was too weak. In the last week of his life, he went into Palliative Care, where his family gathered with him. That place became a place of love, of prayer and presence, of Spirit and music. Blessings were both given and received. It was there on a beautiful Sunday morning, the 19th of August, with his family by his side that Al Anderson passed away. Al's family lovingly remember a warm hearted, generous and fun loving man, who cherished the company of his family and friends. His presence in our lives is already so greatly missed. Al was predeceased by his parents Stanley and Margaret Anderson, his brothers Cecil, Lawrence, Ormie and sister Evelyn in infancy. He leaves his wife of 61 years Grace to grieve, and their daughters, Eunice and Judy with husband Doug, son Jim and wife Jody, his grandchildren Kevin and wife Corrine, Scott, Madison and Justin; and his great-grandson, Seth; and his sister Frances and brother Somie. His passing not only leaves his family to mourn, but also saddens Al's many cherished friends. Funeral Service for Al was held August 23 at Memories Chapel with Joe Ball officiating. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Al can be made to: The Gideons, P.O. Box 3619, Stn. Main, Guelph, ON N1H 9Z9 or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3, 824-18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 5B7 or the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation for Palliative Care 150 McTavish Avenue E., Brandon, MB R7A 2B3. “I shall pass through this world but once. If there is any kindness I can show or any good I can do for any fellow being, let me do it now! Let me not deter or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.”Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com Arrangements werewith Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre,727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 01, 2012