BERNARD MELVIN THIESSEN (BERNIE)

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BERNARD THIESSEN
October 5, 1939 – November 23, 2020

Bernard (Bernie) Melvin Thiessen, 81, of Winnipeg passed away peacefully Monday, November 23 at Riverview Health Centre.
Bernie will be missed by his wife Alvina; son, Lyndon; daughter, Sandra and Roger Quenelle with grandkids, Zach and Rachel; daughter, Carol; sister, Carolyn (Jochen); brother, Bill (Karin) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents A.J. & Lenora Thiessen and brothers, Ron and Irvin.
Bernie grew up in Rosenfeld. He attended Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna for grades 10 through 12, excelling in music and sports, and making many life-long friends. Frank Epp inspired Bernie to go into voluntary service, which took him to the Congo in Africa with his dear friends Bob Schmidt and Abe Suderman. This experience left a profound mark on his life. His time in the Congo was cut short due to the 1960 Declaration of Independence, but he was instrumental in helping other missionaries leave the country.
While attending Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Bernie reconnected with his high school friend Alvina Thiessen. Their relationship blossomed and led to their marriage on July 14, 1962. They were blessed to share over 58 years happy years of marriage. Together with Alvina, Bernie provided a strong sense of security, identity and unconditional love to his children.
As a young man, Bernie proudly worked on the family farm near Altona and then welcomed the opportunity to travel all over North America as a bus driver for Thiessen Bus Lines, which grew into Manitoba Motor Transit, and ultimately became Grey Goose Bus Lines. Bernie's role within Grey Goose quickly grew into a leadership role as his acumen for financial analysis, principled negotiations and an over-riding commitment to building long-standing, integrity based relationships in communities across Manitoba served as the foundation for providing transportation services to many communities for the first time.
He was honoured to work alongside his father AJ and his brothers in senior executive positions as the business grew across western Canada and became part of the Laidlaw Passenger Group of Companies. Bernie also served on many private, public and community boards, including Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, the Lloyds of London Syndicates, Manitoba Telephone System, and Manitoba Public Insurance Company.
Bernie loved spending time out at Lake of the Woods with family and friends. Many special memories revolve around our 35+ years at the Rush Bay Cottage, and for the past years at Totem Resort. Bernie instilled his love of swimming, boating and fishing in his kids and grandkids.
Church and camp were important in Bernie's life, which led him to serve on many related committees. Bernie and Alvina attended Bethel Mennonite Church for over 55+ years. His love of music led him to participate in many choirs throughout his life.
We want to thank specially his sister Carolyn, husband Jochen and daughter "Princess" Margaret for their countless musical serenades with Bernie over the last year of his life. Those were treasured times.
Bernie moved into Riverview Health Centre on October 30, 2019. The family wants to thank the staff for their loving and compassionate care of Bernie "The Boss Man". You helped bring joy, contentment and peace in his last days, and for that, we will be forever thankful.
A private burial service for Bernie will be held at Thomson in the Park, Winnipeg. Bernie's lifelong favourite Bible selection was Phillipians 4: 4-13.
In lieu of flowers, if family or friends desire, a donation may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2020