ALBERT STEPHEN KELLY

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ALBERT STEPHEN KELLY It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden, yet peaceful passing of our beloved father Albert Stephen Kelly at the glorious age of 94. He died peacefully at home on Friday, November 22, 2002. Al, who was affectionately known to so many as Pappy, was born on January 23, 1908 in Verdun, QC. He moved to a homestead at Carrick, MB, with his family as a young boy and eventually made his way to Winnipeg where he has spent the majority of his life. He worked at many occupations throughout his life. Al enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force working on radio transmitting equipment. From there he worked at Gardiners Funeral Chapel, became a tree surgeon, then a carpenter and later started his own contracting business. Today as you drive throughout Winnipeg, many of the homes Al built are still standing. Al journeyed throughout the world and was privileged to have visited Hungary, France, England, Belgium, Japan, Hong Kong, Bali, Thailand, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, India, Austria, Germany, Yugoslavia, Mexico, Singapore and the USA, including Hawaii. He was a gifted writer; having published a book of poetry titled Random rimes of a roving Roustaboutin 1987. Our father loved many forms of music and we grew up to the twangs of his guitar and his singing of songs by Jimmie Rodgers and many other musicians of that era. He was an artist who carved in various woods. Al loved his time at the cottage at Pinawa Bay on the Lee River, having spent much of his last 40 years there growing his tomatoes and radishes. He sold his cottage just this past summer and packed up all his belongings for the last time. Our father came into this world and into the loving embrace of our family and has passed away from this world and the loving embrace of us all. We will miss you forever and until we are one again in the sweet bye and bye. Al was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Irene Kelly; his brother Ted; and his son-in-law Julian. Al will be lovingly remembered by his devoted sister Gertrude; with whom he shared so much; his son Stan (Cathy) of Calgary, AB; his daughters, Diana of Theodore, SK and Georgia (Wayne) of Vancouver, BC; his three grand-children, Jennifer (Joe) and Tim (Samantha) of Winnipeg and Erica of Vancouver. He was also blessed with two great-grandsons, Joseph and Matthew of Winnipeg. Al will be remembered for the unique person that he was by the innumerable friends that he has made on his long and winding journey through this world. At Als request, cremation has taken place and no service will be held. We will be taking Pappy to his final resting place at Pinawa Bay, where his spirit will live on in the forest. The family asks that you remember this very special person by taking time out from the hectic pace this world seems to have set for us all to tell those that make your life worth living how much they mean to you. The last thing Pappy wanted was to have his poem entitled "Cremation" included in his obitbulkloaduary. Cremation I want no monuments to rise above my mouldering bones, Like ghostly monoliths that guard the dust of ancient thrones. I want no parson man to stand, to eulogize my name, Dissecting noble deeds I did and trials I overcame. For no man is an angel, who lives upon this earth, And none can meet the parsons claim of what that man is worth, I crave no final viewing, before the lid descents; When tears are flowing freely from family and friends. The long cortege of dirgeful folks, from catafalque to hearse, Prolongs the agony of death, to make the loss much worse. The somber, quiet, trip through town, out to the burial plot Can keep the grieving mourners tense, and even more distraught. The bearers duties at the mound are sacred and precise; They place the casket gently, on the lowering device. The parson moves again to speak, of ashes, dust and God, While someone trips the switch to start the drop into the sod. The faithful own, "at last hes gone, hes done his masters work" But someone trips the switch again and stops it with a jerk. Please save me from these heartless men, with opulent concerns; They prey on human grief to sell, their caskets, vaults and urns. Please place my fallen body in a fire thats blazing high With raging winds to fan the flames, till ashes bathe the sky. Then Ill be back in Heavenland, the universal sea, And earth can draw its future strength from atoms such as me. Wojciks Funeral Chapel and Crematorium in charge of arrangements. Call 897-4665.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 30, 2002