WALTER JOHN MANCHESTER

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WALTER JOHN MANCHESTER October 9, 1920 - August 10, 2002 John ended his long struggle with illness, his wife Mae by his side. At the time of his death, John was residing at Middlechurch Home in the kind care of staff and family. The family express gratitude to the many people who have helped in a professional and compassionate way. John was born October 9, 1920 in Winnipeg. He grew up in Warren, eldest son of Walter (a veterinarian) and Katie (nee Christian-Clarke) Manchester. His siblings were Doris Oliver (deceased), Sadie Crockett, of Stonewall and Russell, of Calgary. John and Mae married in September 1940. They were longtime residents of Warren where he was a hardworking and successful farmer. For 20 of his working years, he also worked as a licenced machinist at Kimberley Clark. In his retirement, he ran a machine shop from his yard and did lots of fix-up jobs for local farmers, particularly during seeding and harvest when he was known to work around the clock. He was happiest when he was working and thinking up solutions to problems. His many friends will remember him as actively involved in community work, the skating and curling rinks in Warren, the church and the Lions Club and later, the 55 plus club in Stonewall. After leaving Warren in 1994, John and Mae lived at Lions Manor in Stonewall before moving to Winnipeg in June 2000 as a result of his illness and the need for specialized care. Surviving him are his wife Mae and three children, Linda Lampshire (Ed), Johnny and Brenda Manchester. Lindas children are, Sherry Hall of Vancouver, Mitchell of Dryden, David of Kenora and Cindy Peterson of Winnipeg. Johnnys children are, Boyd, Rod and Heidi Hellsten, all of Winnipeg. Brendas children are, Sally Guarino and Jeff Dolyny, all of Winnipeg. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren. John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and community member who served his country during the war years as a pilot trainer with the RCAF. Always a modest man, he talked with pride about leaving home at the end of the depression and being accepted into pilot training. He became a flight instructor and he and Mae were stationed in Prince Edward Island until the end of the war. Linda and Johnny were born during those years and the family returned to the Warren area to begin farming after the war. He is missed sorely by his friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family encourage friends, if they desire, to make a contribution on Johns behalf to the Alzheimer Society through MacKenzies Funeral Home. A celebration of Johns life will be held at MacKenzies in Stonewall, Friday, August 16 at 2:00 p.m. Lunch to follow at the legion. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 13, 2002