MATHEW WELLINGTON WILSON

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MATHEW WELLINGTON WILSON On May 24, 2001, the man who breathed so much love and happiness into the lives of so many children surrendered his breath to that of God and passed away at Third Crossing Manor in Gladstone, MB. He was 82 years of age. Born in Gladstone, MB on December 6, 1918 in the wake of the First World War, he would enlist and serve overseas with the P.P.C.L.I. in the Second World War. At the end of the war, he returned to the community where he was born and educated and would serve this community that he so loved, throughout his life. His work was steady, strong and faithful to its purpose reflecting his deep sense of service. It included years spent with MTS, the Town of Gladstone, the Gladstone Auction Mart and serving the surrounding farm community. When he returned from the war, he lived with his father Mathew, his mother Susan, having passed away in his early childhood. With his father, his brother John and Johns wife, Mary and Mrs. Fanny Richards, who surrogated to fill the void of his mothers early demise, he worked tirelessly to support the "Wilson households" and in particular the generations of children that would pass through them. He never married and yet raised, loved, nurtured, and supported the dreams of so many children, it is almost impossible to name them all. We, who remember him, may omit or forget names but he forgot no one. Among those particularly blessed with his support, wisdom and humour were his nieces, Grace Jones, Rose Marie Farmer, John W. Wilson; his grandnieces, Brenda Lindsay, Cindy Wowk, Sharon Yeo, and grandnephew Earl Farmer and following them, their many children. He was that "favorite rock", that special tree, that "place", where we as children could go in times of doubt or trouble. He never failed us. He is especially remembered by his grandniece Brenda Lindsay, who with the support of her husband Richard walked that extra mile, everyday to ease the suffering of his last years. The same is true of his grandnephew Earl Farmer. "Wally" was predeceased by his mother and father, Susan and Mathew; his sister Ellen Knott; brother Henry and is survived by his sisters, Sarah Arthur and Mary Arthur and brother John of Gladstone, MB and his niece Grace Jones; nephew John W. Wilson; grandnephew Earl Farmer; grandniece Brenda Lindsay, Cindy Wowk, and Sharon Yeo and their many children. The family extends special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Seven Regions Hospital and Third Crossing Manor in Gladstone. Additional thanks are gratefully given to the Gladstone Royal Canadian Legion and auxiliary whose cards, gifts, and visits was a source of comfort to our "uncle." Viewing will be held Sunday, May 27 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Clarkes Funeral Chapel, Gladstone. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Gladstone United Church on Monday, May 28 with a reception at the Gladstone Legion Hall following the service. Clarkes Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 26, 2001