HERBERT LESLIE (BERT) OWENS

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HERBERT LESLIE (BERT) OWENS On March 1, 2003, Herbert Leslie (Bert) Owens, the farm boy, soldier, railroader, consultant and "Good Samaritan" died peacefully at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli, MB. Bert was born to Thompsy and Armenella in 1923 in Cartwright, MB, the youngest of his siblings, Roy (Barney), Edgar, Bertha, and Pearl. By the time Bert was 12 he could work like a grown man and had established the traits that he carried all his life: great physical strength, common sense, self-reliance and a singular sense of humour. "The apple of his mothers eye", Bert stayed on the farm until it was lost to taxes in the 30s and moved to the city to work for the C.N.R. with his two brothers. Those early years were a great influence on Bert and being a farm boy who rode bareback across the prairie with his brothers was part of him the rest of his life. Bert, the soldier, became part of the Canadian Army 2nd Division, 5th Field Regiment as an artillery gunner. Over the course of the war through Normandy and Holland, Bert, nicknamed "Jesse", took on any of the several roles required to aim and fire the 25 pounder. He took great pride in doing his job with precision and efficiency even under the shattering duress of wartime. Returning home, Bert married the first great lady of his life, Marion Joyce Berglund in 1946 (1929 - 1985). They settled in Elmwood in a D.V.A. sponsored home on Beach Avenue and raised their three boys. The neighbours on Beach, Talbot and Manhattan Avenues formed a positive, strong community for Berts family that was felt long after the family moved away. Bert had returned to the C.N.R. after the war and as the "railroader" became an Inspector despite having only a grade four education. The great fellowship of A.A. helped Bert put aside his self-reliance and he was able to stop drinking completely on May 14, 1968. Bert was appointed as Employee Assistance Program Coordinator for the Prairie Region in 1974. Berts complete understanding of the needs of people in distress and his belief in his cause carried him in the face of much initial opposition to the program. He was able to use his ability to read people, his knack of speaking directly, and his gift of humour to help many people in the position he seemed to be born for. Bert retired in 1982 and enjoyed many years curling, golfing and travelling. His trials were not over however. Bert cared for Marion through her struggle with cancer until she passed away in 1985. Bert carried on and "went home" in a sense when he moved to the rural community of Matlock in 1990 with his new wife, Minnie Owens. Knowing Bert meant knowing one of the great friends of his life, Jerome. Jerome, who lived next door for many years, could be perpetually found in Berts living room. The great loyalty Bert and Jerome showed each other was undiminished by the fact that Jerome was a dog. To his many friends Bert will be remembered for his helpfulness and kindness. Bert, the Good Samaritan, was always there to lend a hand and to help out. Another lesson from his early farm years - neighbours help neighbours. And for Bert, everyone was a neighbour. In his last years, it was Berts turn to be helped and cared for. The family would like to thank especially Linda, Debbie, Gloria and Eileen, the care workers who came to his home and treated him with respect and kindness. Mostly, Bert was cared for, supported, and cajoled, by Minnie, his second wife of 12 years. It was Minnies love and attention, above all else, that allowed Bert to live with dignity and comfort. Bert is survived by his wife Minnie; his sons, Thompson, Mark and Brian; their wives, Audrey, Pat and Jutta; and his grandchildren, Kyle, Neil, David, Cameron and Brianne. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway, with Rev. Brenda Fraser officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Burn Fund, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, or the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 06, 2003