Eugene FITZPATRICK

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FITZPATRICK: Eugene passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019 at Valleyview Care Centre with family by his side. Eugene “Gene” was born in Margaret, MB to John and Mary Fitzpatrick. Gene was one of seven children and grew up on a farm near Margaret. He attended Harmony and Margaret schools. After high school Dad moved to Ontario for a couple of years where he worked at a paper mill and an elevator. He moved back to Manitoba and enrolled in psych nursing at BMHC. It was while he was in training that he met his future wife and soulmate, Tootie. They were married at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, and a few years later started their family by welcoming children Lynnette and Ken. After working as a psych nurse, Dad and his brother Frank started a new business – Gene’s Upholstery. As they were getting the business up and running, Dad also worked construction, building houses and barns. Not afraid to try something new or hard work, the family moved to a farm near Kenton for a few years to farm. They then decided to move back to Brandon and open a private nursing home. This was a 24/7 lifestyle. They did everything together: cooking, cleaning and taking care of the residents. After a few years, they decided to make another change and Dad tried something new again – a U-Haul rental, garage and a steam cleaning business. Dad loved working with his hands. He built our cabin at Oak Lake, which was a gathering spot for family and friends for years. In retirement, he would try to build or fix anything. His specialty was furniture, crokinole boards and horse race games. He was meticulous in his work. If it was worth doing, it was worth doing right. Dad loved and appreciated family and friends. Even though he was not a big talker, he took in everything being said. Dad always quietly liked helping others; mowing lawns, snow blowing, painting, helping on the farm or anything else that was needed. He was a strong, caring and kind person and accepted all challenges without complaining. Gene was predeceased by his parents John and Mary Fitzpatrick; brothers Frank and Gerald; and sisters Marion (Art) Dinelle, Blanche (Davey) Popple, Sheila (George) Maguire and Theresa (Walter) Baysa. Left to cherish his memory are son Ken (Karen), grandson Steven, daughter Lynnette, many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Janet Fitzpatrick and Joan McDowell, and friends. A family service was held on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Memories Chapel, officiated by Rev. Fr. Michael Raj Savarimuthu. Donations in memory of Gene may be made to the Parkinson Society of Manitoba, 7-414 Westmount Drive Winnipeg, MB R2J 1P2 or CNIB, 354 10th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4G1. Arrangements with Memories Chapel

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 24, 2019