DONALD JOHN PHELPS

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DONALD JOHN PHELPS March 19, 1919 - December 28, 2001 Our father Don passed away peacefully at Victoria General Hospital in Victoria, BC. Dad was predeceased by Norma, his wife of 53 years, in June of 1993. In September of 1996, Dad married Irene Switzer of Prince Albert, SK. The family wishes to express our most heartfelt condolences for her loss and our love and gratitude for tenderness and companionship shown to our father. Dad is survived by his children, Eleanor Gibson (Brian), Don (Denise), Judy Senka (Jim), Kevin (Debbie), Terry (Susie) and grandchildren, Heather, Barbara, Bryan, Trevor, Matthew, Sara, Adam, Jacob; and great-grandchildren, Daniel and Blade. Dad is also survived by his brother Henry of Vernon, BC and sister Gladys Unruh of Prince Albert. Dad was born and raised in Steep Creek, SK, outside of Prince Albert and lived the life of a farmer. He graduated at a grade 8 level from Fanford School and went to work on the farm. In 1939, he enlisted with the Regina Rifles Regiment where he earned the rank of corporal. Dad served with the Allied Expeditionary Force invading on D Day in 1944. Dads company was one of the first to land on Juno Beach as part of Force J of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division. As a leading part of the first wave, Dad, along with many members of his company, was seriously wounded. Dad survived his wounds and was treated in Winnipeg at the Deer Lodge Hospital. It was in Winnipeg that he found employment in the Unemployment Insurance Commission as a supervisor until his retirement in 1974. Dad enjoyed the Manitoba summers, first at West Hawk Lake and later at his cottage at Lester Beach. Dad was an accomplished horse shoe enthusiast winning the local championship with his old buddy Dave Couper. Aside from the cottage, Dad and Norma bought a condo to spend their winters in Victoria, BC. Due to Normas illness, they settled back to Winnipeg on a year-round basis until her passing. Dad was an avid sports fan and carried the torch for the Montreal Canadiens in the winter and of course, the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the summer. Dad had a great sense of humour whose unique and sometimes colourful metaphors will live on with those who knew him for many years to come! Dad loved to tell a good story and also was an avid reader of history and cowboy stories. Above all, Dad valued his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Dad had a great love for a laugh and we are enriched by the time he spent with us and also lessened by his passing. The family would like to thank everyone who remembers him. Funeral service with interment to follow will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. at the Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be sent to the War Amps of Canada, 113 Marianne Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R2R 1W4. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Bryan and Trevor Senka, Matthew, Sara, and Adam Phelps, and great-grandchildren, Daniel Hamelin and Blade Senka. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BLVD. 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2002