SIDNEY ARTHUR WALMSLEY

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SIDNEY ARTHUR WALMSLEY On Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at the Portage District General Hospital, Sid Walmsley passed away peacefully at the age of 79 years with family at his side. He is predeceased by his parents George and Effie Walmsley. Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife Dorothy of Portage la Prairie; sons, Donald (Michele) Walmsley, of Neepawa and Robin (Val) Walmsley of Winnipeg; daughter Kerry-Leigh (Kevin) Clark of Portage la Prairie; grandchildren, Cheryl, Kelly, Michael (Linda), Jeremy, Rebecca, Ashley, Morgan, Nicole, Lynette, and Stephen, and brother Robert (Betty) Walmsley of Portage la Prairie, along with nieces, nephews and their families. Sid was born in Winnipeg and raised in London, England. He served in the British Army during the Second World War and was a member of the following regiments - Highland Light Infantry, the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, the Royal Fuseliers (City of London Regiment) and the MI-6. He served from 1940 to 1946. Returning to Canada he married the love of his life, Dorothy. Shortly after marrying, he returned to school attending United College (University of Winnipeg) becoming an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada. He served in parishes throughout rural Manitoba until becoming Chaplain at the Manitoba School for the Mentally Retarded in Portage la Prairie. While there he received numerous international awards and accolades for his teaching, development of Advanced Training curriculum and editing of an international Mental Retardation Journal. He was also a member of the Royal Society of Health. While in Canada, Sid was actively involved with the Militia in both Virden and Portage and was actively supportive of the Royal Canadian Legion, speaking at numerous Remembrance Day services, schools and community groups about the war years. Sids passions were people and theatre. A founding member of the Virden Dramatic Society, Prairie Players of Portage and lastly he and Dorothy formed their own production company "Candlelight Productions". Not content with just directing plays, he received two Canadian Playwright awards, was on the Board of Directors of the Canada Arts Council (the Dominion Drama Festival) and he taught theatre courses on the side. Sid was instrumental in forming the Portage Arts Council in 1977. He recently received the Queens Jubilee medal. Sid was a friend and support to too many people to mention. He leaves behind virtually a regiment of close friends. His capacity for love was boundless. His life was full and his last efforts had been put towards writing a book about his war years which will be published this spring. Sid was the kind of person whose presence always filled the room. Sid will be remembered for his sense of humour and optimism, as well as his non-judgemental and empathetic ways with people. He will be truly missed. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Sids memory to Sunset Palliative Care, Inc., P.O. Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3A7. Memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1 at Trinity United Church: 15 Tupper St. S., Portage la Prairie, MB. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Sid by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements. (204) 857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 2003