HELGI TOMASSON

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HELGI TOMASSON Peacefully, on Monday, December 11, 2000 at the Johnson Memorial Hospital, Helgi passed away at the age of 84 years. He leaves to mourn his wife of 62 years Helga; son David; daughter Margaret; grandchildren, Franklin (Corinne), David (Kelly), Stacey (Ove) and Kimberley; as well as six great-grandchildren and brother-in-law Siggi Helgason. Helgi was predeceased by his son Helgi; sister Joleen and parents, Kristen (Steina) and Gunnar. Helgi was born in Hecla on June 13, 1916. He attended school, married and lived in Hecla all of his life. In the later years, due to ill health, Helgi and Helga retired to Betel Home in Gimli. He started fishing on Lake Winnipeg at the age of 16 and continued fishing for the next 60 years. During this time Helgi eventually went back to school and obtained his Captains certificate. As well, he built his boat "The Seabird", which was his pride and joy. Also during this time, he worked for the Federal Department of Transport doing aids to navigation on Lake Winnipeg and later worked for the Provincial Department of Natural Resources doing fish research. These jobs did not keep him from his love of fishing which he managed to continue. Helgi also loved hunting and made numerous trips with family and friends which he looked forward to every year. He also enjoyed his visits to Iceland where he made many friends and found himself quite at home. He was a very social person who made his home welcome to family, friends and visitors. He made friends from all walks of life and will be sadly missed by all. Dad lived a full life and was fortunate in that he always worked at something he enjoyed, lived at a place he loved and always had his life-long companion Helga, at his side. The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to all the staff at Gimli Betel Home as well as the doctors and nurses at Johnson Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion. An evening service will be held on Friday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline St., Selkirk, MB. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 16 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hecla Lutheran Church with Pastor Trudy Sluth officiating. Interment to follow in the Churchyard Cemetery. Helgis pallbearers will be his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gimli Betel Home or the United Icelandic Appeal (Gimli Waterfront Project) or to the charity of ones choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2000