Richard FILTEAU

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FILTEAU: Mr. Richard “Dick” Filteau formerly of Melita, passed away at the Hartney Health Centre, Hartney, MB., on Monday, June 24, 2013, at the age of 92. Dick was born on December 5, 1920, on the home farm near Dumas, Saskatchewan. He received his grade school education at Model School near Dumas and his high school education at Kelvin Tech in Winnipeg. He served in the RCAF from 1942 – 1945 and following the war entered the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1949 with a BSA from the Faculty of Agriculture.Following graduation, Dick served as the Agricultural Representative in Steinbach for the Manitoba Department of Agriculture for six years. In April, 1955, Dick, wife Helen and family transferred to Melita where he worked as Ag Rep for 21 more years. He served as Mayor of Melita for one term and was on both the Town Planning Committee and the Chamber of Commerce. Dick judged many livestock and seed shows, was very involved in the 4-H program and in the initiation of the Pipestone Feeder Cattle Yards. He also served as director for Manitoba for the Agriculture Institute of Canada. After Dick retired as Ag rep, he and Helen moved to Winnipeg where he served as Coordinator of Programs and Policies for the Manitoba Department of Agriculture. He then served in Whitehorse as Agricultural Advisor for the Yukon Territorial Government from 1983 – 1986 where he helped establish an Agricultural Branch. Dick initiated and conducted trials on cereal, forage, gardening, and greenhouse crops. He also initiated a book on gardening for the Yukon and carried out an agricultural census in the Yukon. Dick was instrumental in setting up and managing the Southwest Field Shelterbelt Program in Manitoba, which he started in 1990 and was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame Honour Roll in 1998. Besides being busy as Ag Rep, Dick loved to golf. Upon full retirement, Dick and Helen spent their summers at Kenosee Lake, Saskatchewan, and their winters in Harlingen, Texas, where they shared their love of golf and the company of many close friends. Helen passed away on March 31, 2006, and son Glenn passed away on December 15, 2009, following a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He is survived by daughter, Brenda (Ron) Nestibo, (granddaughter Rhonda (Kelly) Fry, great grandson Graham Hume, granddaughter Susan Nestibo); son Doug (Diane), (granddaughter Katie Filteau, grandson Andrew (Laura) Craigie, and three great grandsons, Isaiah, Griffin, and Everett); brother George (Connie), and brothers-in-law Leonard Hall, Howard (Kay) Hall; daughter-in-law Janet Filteau and her family, as well as many nieces and nephews. Dick was predeceased by his parents, George & Cordelia Filteau; wife Helen; son Glenn; brothers Napoleon (Louise) and Ernest (Christina); sisters-in-law Gladys, Marjorie, and Louise; brothers-in-law, Wilson Hall, Arnold Hall, Victor Hall, and Bill Nelms. A public graveside service will be held on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. from the Melita Cemetery, Melita, MB., with Reverend Barb Alston officiating. Donations may be given to the charity of your choice. Arrangements in care of Redpath Funeral Home Melita 522-3361. To send condolences to the family, please visit: www.redpathfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 05, 2013