Kelly HOOPER

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HOOPER: Kelly George Hooper, beloved husband of Karen and father to Joline, Kennedy and Austin, passed away at the Reston Health Centre, Reston, MB. on Friday, April 10, 2015 at the age of 51 years following a courageous battle with cancer. Kelly, or Hoop as he became known to all, was the firstborn to George and Karen Hooper on July 9, 1963. Kelly received his education in Reston, graduating in 1982. He was very active in all sports throughout his school years and beyond. He especially enjoyed hockey, baseball and golf. After moving to Reston in 1975 from the Ewart farm, he joined Reston Minor Hockey and took up goaltending duties. He continued to play into his senior years with the Reston Rockets and Reston Lites. His hockey was not limited to the ice as many kids who grew up in town could be found playing lawn hockey at Hoop's house. He became very knowledgeable about computers and spent countless hours helping people get their computers running properly. His most frequent clients (and challenging) were his sisters. He worked at various jobs over the years in the Pipestone/Reston /Cromer areas and also spent some time in Regina. In 2002, he joined the "family like" atmosphere at the Cando Contracting Ltd. office in Brandon. In 1988, he met Karen McCracken of Rivers and they were married in Reston on April 14th, 1990. Their family became complete as their children Joline, Kennedy and Austin joined the family circle. Kelly always took a keen interest in what the kids were involved with and was a willing volunteer when needed. In 2007, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and from there began his fearless quest that one day he would conquer his illness. He faced each hurdle along his journey with determination and resilience and was never without a smile or his sense of humour. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Karen; two daughters Joline (friend Jared) and Kennedy; son Austin; three sisters: Val (Glenn) Forsyth of Pipestone, Lisa (Vital) Tinant of Wawanesa and Tammy (Bruce) Hodgson of Deloraine; father and mother- in-law Don and Merle McCracken of Rivers; two sisters-in-law: Judy Heeney of Forrest and Kim Cunningham of Rivers; brother-in-law Wayne (Denise) McCracken of Rivers; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Geordie in 2008 and Karen in 2013. In keeping with Kelly's wishes, a private family graveside service will be held at the Reston Cemetery with Rev. Dwight Rutherford officiating. Donations in memory of Kelly may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415 1st Street East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8. Arrangements in care of Redpath Funeral Home - Melita, MB. (204-522-3361) Neil Redpath & Kurt Ardron. To send condolences to the family, please visit: www.redpathfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 14, 2015