PETER ALEXANDER PAULSON

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PETER ALEXANDER PAULSON After a long, happy, and productive life, Dad peacefully passed into his Heavenly Fathers presence on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at the Oakview Extendicare personal care home in Winnipeg. Dad was born at Victoria Beach, MB, on April 9, 1910. In 1925 he and his father built a home in Balsam Bay moving their family there permanently. (This house is still in use today). Dad had a diversified career including fishing, cutting cordwood during the "dirty thirties," serving as mate on the J.R. Speers steamship on Lake Winnipeg, and learning from his uncle Oscar to become a carpenter. Subsequently, he started his own company, P.A. Paulson Construction, building homes and cottages in the Winnipeg, Minaki, Kenora, and Victoria Beach areas. He took great pleasure in creating and erecting customized fireplaces, taking great pains in matching each stone "just so!" He built his retirement home at Victoria Beach in 1971 and continued working in the area (and still assisting the "Quinton fellows") for many years. In 1973 he was elected and served on the Victoria Beach municipality as councillor and vice reeve for 13 years. At times, he appeared to be gruff, but was well known to be blatantly honest and striving to do the best and fairest thing for all. Dad was an outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He particularly enjoyed deer hunting with "his boys", and moose hunting with his close friends, Tommy Olafson and Danny Lees. These trips provided many hours of great, hilarious storytelling and laughter which was enjoyed by all who heard them. Dad accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal saviour and endeavoured to serve him throughout his life. He was involved in the Work of Faith Bible Camp from its inception on Elk Island and became the major overseer of its move from Elk Island to the mainland in 1969. He was an elder and faithfully attended the St. James and Victoria Beach chapels for many years. Several people had Gods vision for amalgamating and erecting one permanent meeting place for the beaches and thus Wayside Chapel was born. Dads worship, however, was not confined to church services. He loved to sit in his favourite corner chair by the fireplace, pulling out his harmonica and hymn book and could thoroughly enjoy a time of singing by himself, or he would always encourage any of us present to join in also. What precious memories! Who was our dad? In our eyes he was a quiet, humble, strong yet gentle giant who loved us unconditionally. He was a man who loved God, who sought and utilized His wisdom, and who did his best to instill in us moral and ethical principles of honesty, honor, and integrity, not in words only, but by his steadfast example. "All that you do, do with your might because things done by halves are never done right" and "Youve always got to be thinking." He was and is our beloved dad! He was and is our precious father! We will always love you and hold you and hold you close in our thoughts and thank God for you! His precious gift to us, your children. Left to cherish Peters memory are his son Jim; and his daughters, Joyce Waldner, Joan Olafson, and Betty (Howard) 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Phyllis; his sisters, Violet, Hazel, Esther and Roonie; brothers, Charles and Felix; his sons-in-law, Ronnie, John, and Tommy. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Mabel and Gladys; and brothers-in-law, Gordon and John. The pallbearers will be his grandsons. We would appreciate all of Dads many dear friends to consider themselves as honorary pallbearers. The family finds it difficult to express, in mere words, their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all those who gave such gracious loving care to our dad. Thanks to all the wonderful nurses, aids and assistants on the third floor west in the Oakview Extendicare for being there for us. The celebration of Dads life will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2:00 p.m., at the Church of the Good Shepherd on No. 9A Hwy., just south of Selkirk. Viewing will be held one hour prior to service time, with a reception immediately following the service. Interment will take place at the Balsam Bay Cemetery following the reception at the Church. Officiating at the service will be his two grandchildren, Byron Unger and Ronald Hampton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Faith Bible Camp for a specially designated project. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 24, 2003