ALFRED (RED) HAMLYN

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ALFRED (RED) HAMLYN Red, at age 92, went to a better fishing ground on Saturday, January 29, 2000 at Meadowood Manor. Born in England in 1907, Red came to Canada as an infant. He often regaled his family with tales of growing up on a homestead in Sioux Lookout, Ont. At 14, he became a "crew call boy" for the C.N.R. As a young man, he moved to Transcona as a machinist apprentice at the C.N.R. Shops, meeting and marrying his lifelong love, Jessie Reeves. His railroad life led them to The Pas, Swan River, Rivers and Fort Frances. An avid fan of the steam engines, Red proudly ushered one of the first diesel locomotives into Rivers, Man. in the mid 1950s. After a career of 48 years with the C.N.R., Red retired as locomotive foreman at Fort Frances, Ont., and he and Jessie returned to the place where they had began their life together. St. Vital became home, second only to his first love - the cabin on Taylor Bay where he and Jessie happily spent their summers. They enjoyed gazing at the evening stars and sitting around their bonfires. They spent many hours exploring the area around the cabin. Red dedicated a large portion of his time trolling the rippling waters around the Reef, searching for the elusive "big one" - a platter of fresh walleye his "elegant sufficiency". Always knowing where the best blueberry patches were, he would share his bounty in exchange for a fresh blueberry pie. A patient grandfather, Red taught his grandsons to fish and water ski, and generously kept the boat gas tanks full for their jaunts around the Bay. When not at the cabin, Grandpa was always available to chauffeur his grandsons to their various activities. Red enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling and could often be found trying to sneak a glance at a baseball game or sports score on TV. He and Jessie enjoyed their many trips to the West Coast as well as cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. As his daughters grew up, he actively participated in their passions for horses and figure skating. His long and ongoing contributions to the development of figure skating in Manitoba, especially as a Judge, were recognized on May 1, 1993, when he was appointed to the Honour Society, Canadian Figure Skating Association, Manitoba Section. He will be sadly missed by Jessie (his beloved wife of 69 years) his three daughters, Irene (Maurice) Pearce, Marge (Marty) Peterson, Lynda (Jim) Michaluk; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. Services will be held at Thomson Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, February 2 at 11:30 a.m., followed by refreshments and an opportunity to share memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Stroke Recovery Association. The family would like to thank everyone at Charleswood Care Centre and Meadowood Manor for their care and compassion. Red, Dad, Grandpa - living our lives without you will be the hardest part of all, but we know you will be watching over us. No length of time will dim the past So many memories hold it fast Today, tomorrow, our whole lives through We will love and remember you!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 01, 2000