CHRISTOPHER BORDEN MCRAE

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CHRISTOPHER BORDEN MCRAE

With deep sorrow and profound sadness we announce the passing of Christopher Borden McRae, 74 years young, on February 5, 2021, at Health Sciences Centre, peacefully, and without suffering. Predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Stelle.
Left to mourn him are his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 52 years, Lynn; his children, Kirsten and Geoff; his brother David (Molly), and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, collaborators and colleagues far and wide.
A remarkable man who lived a full and active life, a star hockey player in his small-town Ontarian youth and a self-mythologising scratch golfer throughout his years, Borden's career as a steel man began straight out of Ryerson as a fresh-faced telephone jockey at Dofasco in the late 1960s. Working his way through their ranks, he transitioned through several smaller metal distributors until landing at Samuel, Son and Co. in the early 1990s.
Prospering quickly, he seized an opportunity to move westward to Winnipeg, where he would help firmly establish their burgeoning Western operations, eventually retiring after 20 years as Regional Vice President.
Winnipeg would become the place he lived the longest and, surrounded by family and friends old and new, the place he would quickly come to realize was Home.
Wise beyond his education, legendarily stubborn, eternally inquisitive, Borden realised early on that life's battles didn't always go to the strongest or fastest competitor, but instead to the person who put in the work and persisted against all odds.
And while his recent cancer diagnosis curtailed the satisfaction he felt with his leisurely retirement - time spent with a good book, a baseball game, a slice of salty cured meat and a tart, crisp apple - regardless of the circumstances, he remained steadfast. Optimistic. Strong. He will be remembered as a friend, a mentor, and someone who never refused those in need.
Borden was generous, gregarious, and tirelessly supportive. There never existed a better judge of potential, nor a more enthusiastic champion. A lover of wines cheap and fine, of earthy single-malt scotches and "lawnmower beer". A traveller who never quite managed to cover the map as well as he'd hoped, he was never more content than enjoying a round of golf with friends or spending a quiet happy hour at sunset with his loved ones.
Family and friendship meant everything to Borden; he ceaselessly dedicated his entire life to making those around him feel happy and safe and loved. He will be profoundly missed but never forgotten, his memory a blessing for all those fortunate enough to have known him.
Cremation has taken place in accordance with his wishes. A celebration in Borden's honour will be held at a future date when we are all able to gather again and fill the room with gales of stupid laughter over terrible, dumb jokes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, whose support and tireless commitment to fighting a terrible disease provided him no small comfort in his final days. Surely Borden would also approve of the acquisition and consumption of an appropriate beverage. Indeed, he might demand it. So; here's to him, then!

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 27, 2021