HERBERT GEORGE OSMOND (HERB)

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HERBERT GEORGE OSMOND
May 4, 1934 - February 8, 2021

We are heartbroken. Herbert George Osmond passed away on February 8, 2021 at Country Meadows Personal Care Home, in Neepawa, Manitoba at the age of 86.
Herb was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia on May 4, 1934. As a teenager he attended school, worked at odd jobs, became a captain in the cadets, and was a frequent soloist in high school concerts. In 1952, as a scrawny 18-year-old, he hopped on a train and travelled to the other end of the country, to Vancouver, BC, to begin training with the RCMP.
Herb trained in Vancouver and Regina, and on completion had an early posting in Dauphin, where he met the love of his life, Audrey Archer. Back then a young RCMP officer had to meet a number of requirements before being allowed to marry. They had to have five years of service with the RCMP, $1,200 in the bank, and permission from their Commanding Officer. Herb begged and borrowed the $1,200 and got permission from his C.O. to marry. His fifth anniversary of joining the RCMP was August 22, 1957 and two days later, on August 24, 1957, Herb and Audrey were married.
Members of the RCMP were transferred frequently, and Herb and Audrey and the kids moved from Dauphin to Flin Flon, Nipigon, Morden, Sprague, Selkirk, and Powerview where they stayed until Herb's retirement from the RCMP in 1976. Before he retired from the RCMP Herb took courses through the University of Saskatchewan and in 1975 obtained a certificate in hospital administration. When he retired from the RCMP in 1976 he became the administrator of the hospital in Pine Falls, where they lived from 1976 until 1980.
In 1980 Herb and Audrey moved to Neepawa. From 1980 to 1994, Herb was the administrator of East View Lodge. During those years he worked on many committees with the Manitoba Health Organization, both regionally and provincially.
Herb was active in the Neepawa community and was especially proud of the work he did as a Rotarian. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in 2007. In 2007 Herb and Audrey moved back to where they first met, Dauphin, where they lived until 2015, when they moved back to Neepawa.
Herb was a devoted husband and father and loved to spend time with Audrey and the kids. Herb was proud of his children and was grateful that they enjoyed each others' company. Herb liked trying recipes in the kitchen - pancakes, donut holes, molasses pull-taffy and fried baloney were just a few of his specialities. He would sing silly songs to encourage the kids to brush their teeth. He told little fibs to help him pull off surprises - like telling the kids he was taking them to a farm to buy eggs and letting them discover on their own that there was a puppy in that egg crate.
Herb was always working on his golf game and was active with the Neepawa golf course. He enjoyed a good laugh - puns and plays on words were his favourites. His love of music stayed with him from his childhood to his adult years. He had a lovely singing voice and was great at creating beautiful harmonies. He knew more silly songs than anybody and could make up lyrics to suit any occasion. In the last few years of his life, he enjoyed singing with the men's choir, the Hims. Herb's family extends a special thanks to Brian Bailey, Ivan Traill, and the other gentle souls of the Hims for their patience and support as Herb continued to love singing with them but became less able to keep up.
When Herb began to develop symptoms of dementia Audrey was determined to keep him happily living at home for as long as possible. The indignities of late-stage Alzheimer's disease robbed Herb of so much - his beautiful singing voice, his ability to make a pun, tell a story or reminisce with Audrey about their adventures over the years, and his gentle good-nature. In October 2020 it became necessary for Herb to move into Country Meadows. Herb's family is grateful for the lovely staff at Country Meadows who were so very patient with Herb and provided him with exceptional care.
Herb leaves behind Audrey, his wife of 63 years, to whom he was devoted; children, Judy Zeke (Dave), David Osmond (Anna) and Brenda Osmond (Bob); grandchildren, Paul Zeke (Maddie) and Laura Zeke (Juan), Robyn Osmond (Rui), Tyler Osmond (Kori); and four great-grandsons.
A private service will be held for the immediate family when we are able to do that.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Society.
And please, the next time you have a silly song stuck in your head, think of Herb!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 13, 2021