WILLIAM (BILL) JOHN HAY SR.

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WILLIAM (BILL) JOHN HAY SR. February 3, 1926 - July 7, 2003 Born in the family home in Transcona 77 years ago, Dad passed away peacefully on July 7, 2003, with his wife and children by his side, at the St. Boniface Hospital, in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Bill leaves to mourn and cherish his memory, his wife of 57 years, Gwendoline Anne Hay (nee Walker) his daughters, Bonnie (Ronald) Hrynkow, Laurie (Ernie) Keenes and his son Bill and wife, Karen (nee Pinkos) Hay; his sisters, Elsie Hay and Iris Stammers and his brother Les and wife Hilda (nee Solvason) Hay. The special loves of his life were his grandchildren, Ryan Scott Hrynkow, Stacey Gayle Hrynkow, Aaron James William Hay, Cailey Anne Louise Hay; the extended family of his own cousins, nieces and nephews were very important to him as well. He could be counted upon to attend any event that called the family to gather. Bill was predeceased by his parents, James and Barbara (nee Cowie) Hay, both originally of Aberdeenshire, Scotland; his eldest brother James and his sister Barbara Thomas (nee Hay). A great lover of sport and the outdoors... and a natural athlete, Bill played hours and hours of "Shinny" with his neighbourhood pals and played organized hockey into his 30s. He also enjoyed baseball, curling, swimming, canoeing and shared many, many stories with us of his rich and colourful youth. Dad had taught us all to swim and organized many games for and with us. He shared his gifts with the community, through his work in the early days of building the East End Community Club, umpiring for little league baseball, leading one of the first Scout Troops in the United Church and numerous projects which he participated in as a Kinsmen. Bill started as a carman apprentice at the age of 16 years with the CN Transcona Shops, retiring in 1982, after 30 years of service as the General Foreman of the Car Shop (afternoon shift). He was an accomplished carpenter and was very proud too, of what "The Shops" were capable of doing and creating, to keep the railway operable. The many, many fine people he worked with remained his life long friends, keeping in touch with their monthly breakfast get-togethers. Bill enlisted in the Navy in 1943, being sent to Windsor, ON., and then to Cornwallis, then overseas to Scotland, where he drove supply trucks. He came home safely, and in one piece, again, with many stories to share. He has always kept his membership in the Canadian Legion and more recently has been active with the Winnipeg White Ensign Naval Club. Bill and Gwen enjoyed many road trips all over Canada and the U.S. in their 23 years of retirement. Blessed with good health, their lives have been active - square dancing, cross-country skiing, daily walking and exercise, social evenings of cards with friends. Bill grew up and has been a member of the United Church all his life, participating in many activities and always enjoying the Choir Music. The family wish to thank, at this time, the staff of the emergency and intensive care unit of Concordia Hospital, whose prompt actions took Dad eventually to St. Boniface SICU for emergency cardiac surgery. To the St. Boniface team, our deepest gratitude for your professionalism and your caring humanity. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Ave. West, with Rev. Peter Douglas officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Ivor Cox, Tom Nicholl, Tom Panting, George McRobb, Tony Leonard and Jim Henderson. If friends so wish, donations in Bills memory, made to the Transcona Memorial United Church or to a charity of choice, would be appreciated. Transcona Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2003