WILLIAM COOPER YOUNG

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WILLIAM COOPER YOUNG McGREGOR (BILL) Peacefully on March 3, 2000, William Cooper Young McGregor, aged 81, passed away at Riverview Health Centre with loved ones at his side. Bill is survived by Margaret, his loving wife of 58 years; his four "breadsnappers", Sandra Grevstad (Dale "Bud"), Barbara Bowles, Catherine "Mernie" McGregor (Cliff Griffith), and Robyn McGregor (George Opincariu) his three precious granddaughters, Alison, Hilary and Ainsley; his sister Agnes McDowell (Art) and cousin Lawson Tarbuth. Bill was born and raised in Elmwood attending Lord Selkirk and St. Johns High. During his youth he spent much of his time playing hockey and lacrosse. He played on the St. Boniface Seals team of 1937-38 and was recently inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of that Memorial Cup winning team. Following the war and Bills service in the Air Force, he began working for C.P. Express as a messenger. During that time he became interested in the union and his strong sense of social justice and leadership qualities were recognized by his colleagues. He was elected to many positions within the union culminating with that of International Vice-President of BRAC where he worked to create an autonomous Canadian Division of which he became the founding President. Although Bill avoided the limelight wherever possible, his skill as a negotiator, his ability to see all sides of an issue, his integrity, and his uncompromising belief in human rights were recognized by all who worked with him. He was elected as a Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress, served as a member of the Economic Council of Canada, and was honoured to be chosen to represent his country as a delegate to a session of the United Nations General Assembly. During this time Bill and Margaret resided in Montreal, returning to Winnipeg in 1983 at the time of Bills retirement to be close to their beloved grandchildren. Bill joined Niakwa Country Club and enjoyed many games of golf there. Later, as his health began to fail, he enjoyed his morning coffee with the "boys". He renewed many of his childhood and early adulthood friendships, enjoying his visits with Mo, Bill and Jess, Joe and Charlie, and the members of the Every Second Tuesday Breakfast Club. Bill will be sadly missed. Those who knew and loved him will miss his sense of humour, his wit, his flair for understatement, his positive outlook, his ability to "live and let live", and his recitation of poetry memorized in his youth. His children and grandchildren will cherish the memories of his unconditional love and the many favours he willingly did for them. The family wishes to thank the staff at both Central Park Lodge (Poseidon), 2nd floor, and Riverview Health Centre, 2A, for the loving, professional care given to Bill and for the compassion extended to the family. Cremation has taken place. Friends of the family are invited to join them in a celebration of Bills life on Sunday, March 12, between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the family home. In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2000