WILLIAM (BILL) COOPER GARDNER, Q.C.

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WILLIAM (BILL) COOPER GARDNER, Q.C. Peacefully on November 20, 2003, William (Bill) Cooper Gardner, Q.C., passed away at Grace Hospital. He leaves to mourn and cherish his memory his beloved wife of 56 years, Laura; their children, William, Anne (Ted Holekamp) and Michael (Lynn) grandchildren, Will, Rachael and Leah Gardner, Simon and Mikey Holekamp and Ben Gardner; sister-in-law Lois Fraser; and many nieces and nephews. His continuing presence will be missed by all. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Dr. and Mrs. William Arthur Gardner; and sister Betty. Bill was educated at Ravenscourt and University of Manitoba, graduating in law in 1950. He was a partner at Johnston Jessiman Gardner and Twaddle and then at Pitblado & Hoskin. He was counsel to the Public Utilities Board for many years. His main interest outside law was with the Winnipeg General Hospital, later the Health Sciences Centre, where he served as Board Member and Chairman. He was the founding Chairman of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation and valued his long association with the facility. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy in the fall of 1940 at the age of 18. His first assignment was to the British Armed Merchant Cruiser, HMS Rajputana, which was torpedoed and sunk in the Denmark Strait on Easter Sunday 1941. He then served on HMCS Prince David, and went on to captain an LCI, landing troops on Juno Beach on D-Day. He finished his naval service doing convoy duty on HMCS Cobalt, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Bill dearly loved playing golf and squash and being with his many friends who shared the games with him. He was a member of St. Charles Country Club where he served as President and Club Captain, the Manitoba Club, Winnipeg Winter Club and St. Georges Anglican Church. He loved his summers at Minaki, ON and enjoyed interacting with the many young people who were always around. Many thanks to all of you who faithfully visited him in Deer Lodge and Grace Hospital and especially, of course, Duncan. Many thanks as well to the staff and doctors of Deer Lodge and Grace Hospital for their care. Should friends so desire, they could make a contribution in Bills name to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, MS7, 820 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg MB R3A 1R9, or the St. Georges Memorial Fund, 168 Wilton St., Winnipeg MB R3M 3C3. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 25, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Georges Crescentwood Anglican Church, 168 Wilton. St. THOMSON Funeral Chapels - 669 Broadway - 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2003