WILLIAM CLIFFORD (CLIFF) PACKER

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WILLIAM CLIFFORD (CLIFF) PACKER With sadness, we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Mr. William Clifford (Cliff) Packer, aged 79 years, on Monday, March 6, 2000 at the Grace Hospital. Cliff will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by Ellen Mary nee Deayton, his wife of 54 years; his five children, Clifford (Elaine), Nan (Alan) Bennett, Subah, Roshni (Mike) Dutton, John (Corinne) his 11 grandchildren; and his brother, Frank (Dorothy) Packer, sister, Barbara Connelly and brother, Colin (Paddy) Dyson, all of the United Kingdom. Cliff was born February 26, 1921, in London, England. At the age of 14, he joined the British Army as a boy soldier in the Royal Artillery and worked his way up through the ranks, to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army. During his service in the British Army, he was distinguished with five medals, including the Stars of Africa & Italy. In 1946, he married Ellen in Rangoon, Burma and shortly thereafter, they moved to Canada, settling in Winnipeg, MB. For the next 38 years, he pursued a career as an honourable and successful businessman, attaining a Fellowship of the Insurance Institute of Canada. Art was Cliffs lifelong avocation. At 68 years of age, after completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with the University of Manitoba, he became a working artist and an inspiring instructor of art. He was a member in good standing with the Manitoba Society of Artists, generously and willingly contributing to the local art community. Cliff will be remembered by all who knew him as an exceptional gentleman. He was an intelligent, philosophical and creative man of high integrity and great generosity. He always conducted himself with dignity, expressed himself eloquently, had a wonderful sense of humour and was an enthralling story-teller. He unequivocally loved his family, often sacrificing his personal desires and ambitions. Incredibly wealthy in his passion for life, unencumbered by material values, he remained humble about his many selfless attributes, optimistically and enthusiastically embracing life. He was greatly respected for all these qualities and will be immensely missed. His family is very proud of who he was and cherish his memory. Cliffs family chooses to honour and celebrate the remembrance of his life privately, as was his wish. In recognition of his avocation, his family and friends are establishing the W. Cliff Packer Memorial Award with the Manitoba Society of Artists. In lieu of flowers, donations for this memorial gift may be made to the Manitoba Society of Artists, 504 Daer Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3K 1C5. We would like to thank the staff at Grace Hospital for their professional and considerate care, and expression of compassion. We would also like to thank the many friends of Cliff and Ellen for their kind thoughts and support during our time of sadness. Cliffords family has entrusted his arrangements to: WOJCIKS FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORIUM 897-4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 11, 2000