WILHELM SNORRI JONASSON

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WILHELM SNORRI JONASSON Wilhelm Snorri Jonasson of Betelstadur Housing Cooperative, Winnipeg, MB passed away on October 15, 2001 in the Health Sciences Centre. He was 97 years of age. Snorri was born at Vogar, MB on June 17, 1904, the son of Jonas Kristjan Jonasson and Gudrun Gudmundsdottir. He spent his childhood with his family on their farm "Fagranes", where Icelandic was his first language. He attended the Siglunes School in the district where he became fluent in English also. In 1931 he was united in marriage with Gudrun Jonina Hinrikson and the couple were blessed with two daughters, Connie and Margaret. Snorri had a wonderful baritone singing voice and a natural love of music. He sang with many choirs over the years beginning as a young man with a group in Winnipegosis. In Winnipeg he was a member of the First Lutheran Church Choir for many years and sang with other groups as well. He could also be persuaded to render a solo at any time. His favourite was "Bless This House". In 1971 he married Vi Pawlowicz. They lived on Moncton Avenue for many years before moving to Betelstadur. Vi passed away in March, 2000. Snorri was an avid fisherman and spent many years enjoying this pastime at his cottage at Bird River, MB. He also loved gardening and was happy to share the fruits of this hobby with his neighbours on Moncton Avenue. Snorri was a proud Icelander. The roots of his heritage extended to a very large family in Iceland which he had the opportunity to visit. He was well known in the Icelandic community throughout Manitoba, serving in many capacities to promote his ethnic culture. He had served on the boards of The Icelandic Canadian Club, the Icelandic Canadian Magazine and the Islendingadagurinn (chairman). He had been a member of the Eagles and the Elks Lodges. Snorris talents as a businessman were known. After leaving the farm at the age of 20, he attended Business School in Winnipeg. He worked in the retail industry (in Winnipegosis at Safeway), insurance (Wawanesa), the fishing industry (Keystone Fisheries) and real estate (Robert and Gammon). He was also involved in private ventures over the years, the latest being a supplier for bait for recreational fishing. Mr. Jonasson was predeceased by his parents; both wives; four brothers, Egill, Gudmundur, Olafur, and Bogi; five sisters, Kristjana, Bjorg, Gudlaug, Jonina, and Olavia. He leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, two daughters, Connie (Phil) Bertrand of San Diego, CA and her children, Patricia, Meg, Adrienne, Robert, Susan, Sally and Denise; and Margaret (Peter) Holmes of Ottawa, ON and their children, Jeffrey, Pamela, Lorna and Steven; one brother Skuli (Phyllis) and one sister Olga Czarkowski of Winnipeg; and 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held on Friday, October 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave., entrance on Aubrey Street. A graveside service will be held Saturday, October 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, followed by a memorial service Saturday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor St. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2001