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SIDNEY ROE RESTALL
Born: May 19, 1957
Date of Passing: Sep 20, 2022
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SIDNEY ROE RESTALL
Peacefully surrounded by love and family, Sidney Roe Restall passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
Sid leaves behind his beloved wife Denise; loving children, Sheilah Lee (Ryan) and Sean Roe (Zabrina); cherished stepchildren, Karina (JD) and Jonathan (Katie); favourite grandchildren, Shaeleigh, Layton, Ryleigh, and Reyna; siblings, John (Jan), Ian (Leah), Frank (Lorrie), and Bernadine (Brian); mother-in-law Olivette; in-laws, Betty (Danny), Juana (Arifin), Choi (Kitty), Lamford (Yoko), Michel (Lyne), Louis-Marie (Michelle), Marie-France (Giuseppe), Paule (Gilbert), Brigitte (Antoine), and Nicole (Jeffrey); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Meeting him at the gates will be his adoring first wife Gigi Lee (Pan Gen); parents, Bernadine Roe and John Restall; parents-in-law, Albert Allain, Lee King Yung, and Lee Shaw Man Sin; in-laws, Yvon, Shirley, and Jenny; niece Juliana; nephew Steven; and his dearest grandmother Viola. It is suffice to say that, on both Heaven and Earth, Sid was and will be surrounded by many people who love him.
Sid was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 19, 1957. Sid was a mischievous but brilliant child who cared deeply for his family and friends. Sid had the ability to develop friendships that were deep and long-lasting, with many of these friendships beginning in his youth and lasting all the way until his final days. One of Sid's favourite quotes describing his childhood was from an old teacher who said that Sid "would certainly end up being involved in the law when he was grown; [the teacher] just wasn't sure which side of the law it would be".
Sid attended the University of Winnipeg, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in History (Honours), then proved his teacher correct by following his father's footsteps and going into the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba to become an attorney. He graduated in 1982 near the top of his class and was the valedictorian for his year. During Sid's undergraduate degree he met not only more of his lifelong friends but met and fell in love with his first wife, Gigi Lee. They married in 1980, had their daughter, Sheilah, in 1984, followed by their son, Sean, in 1986. Sid worked hard in his career to support his family and was a devoted and loving father and husband. He did his best to be both an affectionate but strict father, instilling in his children the concepts of hard work, diligence, and industry. From having his children assist him in building a sidewalk, to helping them with their English essays, to coaching his son's little league baseball team, he did his best to include them, and be included in, various aspects of life. This resulted in a strong relationship with his adult children, where they would often come to him for advice or to simply "hang out". Sid and Gigi's marriage was filled with much love and laughter as they raised their family and supported each other; this was unfortunately cut short before their 32nd anniversary when Gigi tragically passed away, leaving behind Sid and his adult children.
Fortunately, a few years later, Sid was reinvigorated for life when he found love with Denise. Through this, he built a jovial and loving relationship with his adult stepchildren, Karina and Jonathan. They officially brought their families together when they married in 2018. With Denise, Sid happily experienced the travel he never knew he wanted to do, as well as enjoyed the adventures and relaxations that came with retirement. Together, they lovingly welcomed grandchildren into their lives, becoming known as Yeh Yeh/Grandpa and Mimi.
Sid was a powerhouse in his career as an attorney and became well known as an expert in his areas of specialty (all you had to do was ask him). He started his career at Manitoba Hydro, and moved to the Government of Canada, Department of Justice. There, he was able to thrive as a civil litigator, which included taking the lead role in numerous hearings and trials that he thoroughly enjoyed. While he handled various civil litigation claims in the courts throughout his career, the latter half was focused more on administrative law matters, which included human rights. He was a well-known and respected attorney with a national practice, who later concurrently took on the role of the Vice-president of Labour Relations for the Association of Justice Counsel, which he had helped found.
As much as Sid was well known for his ability and love of being an attorney, he was also well known for his retirement countdown clock, which he maintained for years. Due to Gigi's passing, Sid postponed his retirement for a few years and eventually retired at the age of 56 (which he liked to comment was the youngest a Restall had ever retired).
Three years ago, Sid was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. With Denise as his strongest support by his side, Sid bravely, positively, and always with a sense of humour, fought until the end.
Sid will forever be remembered by the many people he encountered, not just for what is mentioned above, but for his brilliantly sarcastic wit and sense of humour, his wry laugh, commanding voice and presence, and the sparkle in his eye that always meant he had something mischievous planned in his head.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 155 Bannerman Ave.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sid's memory may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, 155 Bannerman Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 0T3.
NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Oct 1, 2022
SIDNEY ROE RESTALL
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sidney Roe Restall on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 65 years.
A longer obituary notice to follow.
NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Sep 24, 2022
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 24, 2022, Oct 01, 2022
Condolences & Memories (12 entries)
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From far away, Helen and I were saddened to hear the most unwelcome news of the passing of Sid Restall. He was a person of keen intelligence, high spirit, natural generosity, and good humour. We offer our condolences to all of the family. Peace to his dust. Helen and Garin Burbank - Posted by: Helen and Garin Burbank (Professor, friends) on: Nov 01, 2022
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Sid and I grew up in the north end of Winnipeg. As young boys we were good buddies. We attended Luxton Elementary School and St. John’s High School. Sid attended my birthday parties, we were in Cubs together, defended each other from bullies and just had a lot of fun together. He was smart, witty and a loyal friend. I remember Sid always hosted the best parties at his home during our High School years. After university I moved to Alberta and we drifted apart. Being a hard worker, I always knew Sid would do well in his career. I was hoping to catch up and share good memories and family stories on a future visit back to Winnipeg. I was stunned by the news that he had passed away and I would not have the opportunity to reconnect. I look forward to meeting his family and acknowledging his achievements and life well-lived on October 24th. Our deepest condolences to the Restall family. - Posted by: Don Hladiuk (Childhood Friend) on: Oct 20, 2022
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Shelia and Sean: Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. I hope you’re able to find peace through the good memories you had with your father. - Posted by: Stella Chung (Friend of Gigi) on: Oct 03, 2022
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Sid was a classmate of mine in Law School. He was called to the bar immediately before me (R before Sa) and never let me forget his seniority in motions court before we both joined JUS. During the bar admissions course, the last episode of MASH aired and we had an exam that night. Sid taped it on his VCR and bunch of us watched it afterwards. He was the only person I knew at the time who had a VCR. Side indeed did maintain a “retirement countdown timer” that, so far as I could figure, he started the day he started articling. I recall at the 10th anniversary of our class, asked in a questionnaire where he saw himself in 10 yrs, Sid answered “Retired”. Sid’s tag line when assigned boring work was, “She’s all pensionable time” That and ordering beer and cheese soup for lunch and telling the waiter, “Hold the cheese”. Sid, the back row of Bertie Bass’ Real Property class salute you. - Posted by: Tom Saunders (Law school classmate and work colleague) on: Oct 01, 2022
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Sid was a remarkable human being. He was a stalwart for Tabernacle Baptist Church, through which our families were deeply connected. He will be missed by everyone he touched. My very best to his family as they celebrate a life well-lived and carry his torch forward. - Posted by: Reid Linney (Friend) on: Oct 01, 2022
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Our deepest condolences to the RESTALL Family from the Van Der Veken Family. Our family relationship was kindled through our Tabernacle Baptist Church affiliation. Our parents were friends for many years and Paige and Penny had the pleasure of the friendship and Christian fellowship of Ian, Frank, Sidney and Bernadette. - Posted by: Penny Berntt (Family friend) on: Oct 01, 2022
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Ian & family, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this very sad time and loss of your brother. 😔🙏 Marlene Kuleza - Posted by: Marlene Kuleza (Client/friend of Ian) on: Oct 01, 2022
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My wife Barb and I met Sid and Denise at Iberostar Playa Mita - a resort in Mexico probably in 2016. It seemed like we had been friends forever even though we had just met. We stayed in contact over Facebook since then and thoroughly enjoyed Sid's wit and friendship. He will be greatly missed but we will cherish the wonderful memories. - Posted by: David Huelsmann and Barb St John (Friends) on: Oct 01, 2022
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I met Sid at the Canada Post cafeteria (when it was there) through a colleage of his. He was unusual in that he could meet strangers and treat them as an old and important friend. If he had colleagues sitting with him, he would introduce you to them as if you were important to him. There were no airs about him. He had a cutting wit and he appreciated that in return. He called it as it was. Nothing was sacred. I am sorry for the loss of his family and that of the world. From someone who has met many good and bad people, Sid was the best. - Posted by: Jack Lee (friend) on: Sep 29, 2022
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I am truly sorry to hear about the loss of a wonderful man. Deepest condolences to the family. - Posted by: Charlotte McTavish (Friend of the Family) on: Sep 29, 2022
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We are so sorry to hear of Sid's passing, and send our deepest sympathies to the Restall Family. May you cherish your memories of Sid & hold them dear to your heart. Love, Lorraine & Bob Richardson - Posted by: Lorraine Richardson (Friend of Bernardine) on: Sep 27, 2022
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To all the Restall Family...... I am so sorry to learn of Sidney's passing. He was a wonderful young man that I have very fond memories of. It all started at The Winnipeg General Hospital. We were both born on the same day and our mother's "recovered" in the same room. We were both named "Sidney" and there the fun began. Our mothers kept in touch, Winnipeg was much smaller then, over the years and I would hear about Sidney periodically. However, it was not until I was 16 that he called and asked me out! I believe he called on our birthday too!!! I was so surprised and so unsophisticated I declined as best I could (read speechless). It took a lot of courage to call me like that and I will always remember it. Several years later we actually met at the University of Winnipeg, in our first year English class. There were actually three (3) Sidney's in that class that year! It was my good fortune to finally meet Sidney in person and through our university years we would stop briefly and catch up. Time moved on and we both had careers, families and long to do lists, but I always thought of and looked out for Sid when I returned to Winnipeg every summer. I will never forget Sidney and I am so deeply sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to all his family. - Posted by: Sidney Macaw (Birthday mate, classmate, name mate and friend from long ago.) on: Sep 24, 2022
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