Clare COBURN

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COBURN: Clare Wallace Coburn, beloved husband of Darlene Coburn, passed away at the Assiniboine Centre on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at the age of 76 years after a courage fight with cancer. Clare was born on January 4, 1937 In Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was the youngest of three Coburn children, a brother Jim and a sister, Vivian. He moved to Brandon at the age of four and lived his entire life in Brandon. Clare’s education from primary grades to university occurred in this community. He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science from the Brandon College. Starting in the early 1960s Clare and his brother Jim ran Atom Jet Industries, a machine shop that was originally a humidifier manufacturing operation founded by his father, Wallace. In 1967, a devastating fire leveled the shop so Clare and Jim moved the salvageable pieces of the operation to 2110 Park Avenue, the current location. Many great innovations originated from that little machine shop that grew over the years and serviced the agricultural sector across the Canadian and US prairies and potash mines in Saskatchewan. His passion of innovation made for many conversations, drawings, and calculations around zero till technology. Clare retired and sold Atom-Jet Industries Ltd., in October 2002, and stayed on to mentor the new owners until November 1, 2003. His charities included Brandon University, Knox United Church, Brandon General Hospital, the new YMCA and Murray House. He chaired the development of the Wheat Belt Community Futures Corporation, initiated development of Westman Cable (now Westman Media Co-op) and a Tourist Greeters program where Darlene and he volunteered for years. Clare is survived by his wife Darlene, daughter Caroline Burgess (Dave), Ottawa, ON, son Ian Coburn, Saanich, BC, son Craig Coburn (Deirdre), Lethbridge, AB, step daughter Kelly Nickel (Gerald), North Battleford, SK, step son Brad Wallin (Maggie) Winnipeg, MB. Six grandchildren: Chelsey Rogers, Lindsey Nickel, Courtney Wallin, Brandon Wallin, Zoe Burgess and Karina Burgess. Other surviving families include cousins. Three special nieces and two special nephews. Clare was predeceased by his mother in 1981, father in 1965, Brother Jim in 2001 and Sister Vivian in 1976. A Celebration of Clare’s life was held at Knox United Church on Monday, November 4, 2013 with Rev. Craig Miller officiating. Clare’s ashes were buried at the Brandon Cemetery beside his mother and father. His six grandchildren were active pallbearers. Donations in memory of Clare may be made to the Knox United Church Memorial Fund, 451-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5A9. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 09, 2013