THOMAS (TOMMY) ADAM HALLEM

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THOMAS (TOMMY) ADAM HALLEM On Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Tommy Hallem Sr. passed away at the age of 87 after a brief stay in hospital. He was predeceased by his parents, Martha and Mike; his brothers, Bill and Alok; and sisters, Anne, Doris (Demetrioff), and infant sisters, Annie and Mary. He leaves to mourn his passing Mary (nee Samec), his wife of almost 54 years; his children, Tom Jr. (Janice), Christine (Rod Ward), and Teresa; grandchildren, Joshua and Tommy Hallem and Shawn and Jennifer Stefiuk; sister Margaret Kachkan; brother Johnny Kate of BC.; brother-in-law George Demetrioff; sister-in-law Ann Hallem; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, George Stefiuk, Lawrence Webb, Ray and Judy Delorme, Craig and Susan Penzick, Ray and Audrey McFee, and Joe and Nell Dembroski. Tommy was born in St. Boniface and attended King George Elementary School until at the age of 13, he was sent for one year to live in Marchwell and Sheho, SK with his mothers brother, Nick Koraluk. He joined the Canadian Army as a gunner in 1943 and upon discharge, worked as a carpenters apprentice, building homes with a small contractor, Mr. Katrys. Once he received his carpenter papers, he worked for Bockstael Construction and also for a contractor from Regina building "peace-time-homes". Tommys career with Canadian National Railway started in 1950, in Fort Rouge Shops, where he worked as a Coach Carpenter. After the Fort Rouge Shops burned down, he was sent to Transcona working as a Carman in the Air Brake Shop. Tommy retired in 1980, putting in 29 years with the CNR. After retirement, Tommy joined the CNR Pensioners Association. Shortly after becoming a member, he was nominated as Chairman of the Membership Committee and held that position for 13 years, doubling the Associations membership. Until two weeks before his passing, Tommy bowled on Thursdays with the CN Pensioners at Polo Park Bowling Lanes. It was always important to him to be with people and make friends. Tommy was a founding member in 1954 of the St. Peter and Paul Church bingo, and also a founding member in 1961 of the UNF Hall Bingo on Marion Street, where he called bingo on Saturday nights until just three weeks prior to his passing. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Norwood Branch. He loved his four grandchildren, Tom Jrs sons, Tommy (age 13), and Joshua (age 23) Teresas son Shawn (age 14) and daughter Jennifer (age 9). We all have beautiful memories that will keep Tommy alive in our hearts and the family asks that you help them to celebrate his life, all 87 (and a half) years of it. Services will be held at Edward J. Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald St., as follows: viewing on Sunday, May 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. and a funeral service on Monday, May 5 at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at St. Boniface Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons, Shawn Stefiuk and Tommy Hallem. Pallbearers are nephews, Jerry and Tim Demetrioff, Danny, John and Michael Kachkan and cousin Mike Koncur. The family would like to thank the staff on 5A South at St. Boniface Hospital, who provided the family with hugs when needed, and who also provided Tommy with such SPECIAL care during his last week with us. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made in Tommys memory to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: EDWARD J. COUTU LTD. 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2003