REGINALD JOHN MINTON

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REGINALD JOHN MINTON Peacefully on May 5, 2000 at Pinawa Hospital. John was born in England in 1913 and immigrated with his family to St. James the following year. He received his education at St. James Collegiate. In 1938 he moved to Bissett to work as an accountant for San Antonio Gold Mines. Two years later he married Gertrude Parkinson, a former schoolmate. Both were involved in community and church work until the war when John joined the Canadian Army. They returned to Bissett where John again resumed an active life in the new community and the building of the United Church in 1947. Rice Lake Masonic Lodge was formed during their residence and John was one of the early Masters. In 1964 John and Gertrude moved to Pinawa, the new site of Atomic Energy of Canada, where he spent 13 happy years as the first Hospital Administrator. In 1977 he took early retirement and they were able to enjoy winters south. During one of their trips John suffered his first stroke which was a forerunner of further ill health. Despite adversity John was always cheerful and maintained his interests in Church and Lodge. During retirement, with the assistance of former Bissett residents, he assembled a collage of personal histories as well as his own history of San Antonio Gold Mines. It was a challenging undertaking but one which gave him great satisfaction when "Golden Memories of Bissett" was published and so well received. One young friend wrote, "It was a wonderful legacy from Mr. Minton." Throughout his life, John was an active participant in many sports. In later years, he enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Pinawa Arts and Crafts Guild. John is survived by his beloved wife Gertrude, daughter Eleanor Stardom and husband Ed Rea, his special grandsons John and Murray Stardom and their father Richard Stardom as well as many relatives and friends. The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff of the Pinawa Hospital, Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home, Home Care workers and Dr. Opie, physician and long time friend. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in Johns memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the charity of ones choice. Funeral arrangements will be announced in Sundays paper.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2000