ALEXANDER MERCREDI

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALEXANDER MERCREDI Peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2003 at 3:35 p.m. in his home at Grand Rapids, MB. He was attended by his son Joe and daughter Geraldine, by his adopted daughter Salina, his brother George and sister-in-law Louisa, sister Agnes and many friends and close relatives. Alex was a Second World War veteran and served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He was wounded in France and recuperated in Great Britain and Winnipeg over a long period of time. He met his wife Clara Thomas, in The Pas in 1946. Alex and Clara married in 1947 and they lived their entire life together in Grand Rapids. He was a trapper, fisherman, logger, hunter and construction labourer before he retired from Manitoba Hydro in 1986. They had three sons, Joseph (Nancy), Duncan (Freida) and Jack (Darlene) five daughters, Elma, deceased, Adele (Bruce), Susanna (Louis), Lisa (Kelly) and Geraldine (Gerry) and one adoptive daughter Marie (Terry). Grandchildren include Shannon (Elma/Pat), Dawn (Joe/Myrtle), Elma and Olivia (Duncan/Freida), David and Ryan (Adele/Brian), Clayton and Jason (Lisa/Norman), Lesley (Susie/Daniel), Emily, Ruby, Jasmine, Marion Nicole and Jacob (Gerry/Gerry) and Morgan (Jack/Darlene). Maries children are Annette, Lori, Gabriel, Florine and Taffee. Great-grandchildren include Courtney and Alex (Shannon), Angelique, Travis and Braeden (Lesley), Damien Wolf (Olivia), Alexandra and Annabelle (Emily) and Lauren (Ryan/Charlene). There are also many nephews, nieces, friends and Hydro, Natural Resources and MTS workers who adopted Alex and Clara as their surrogate parents and the house as their home over the years. They are too many to name, but they know who they are. There are also many children of these friends who adopted gampa. Dad was predeceased by daughter Elma (1969) brothers, Charlie, Felix and Isidore; sisters, Rosalie, Elise and Virginia; and fellow veterans from Grand Rapids (Reginald H. McKay, Reginald Norman McKay, Herbert Stanley McKay, Wilfred Mathew Cook, William John Cook, Francis Henry Campbell, Albert Dorian, John Cook, Valentine McKay, Reginald Garrioch, Glen Donald Williamson). Special thanks to Salina Arthurson who cared for Dad with love and gentleness in his final years. Thank you also to all friends and community members who helped make these final days easier for us all, thank you. Thanks also go to Auntie Esther and her family for the love and support they have given us. Auntie was Dads favourite when it came to disagreements about anything and everything. As much as he complained when she would drop in to visit, you could tell he looked forward to her visits. The viewing and wake service was on Wednesday, December 10 and the memorial service was held at the Grand Rapids RC Hall on Thursday, December 11. The cremation service was at Brooklawn Memorial Crematorium Friday, December 12 at 9:00 a.m. "He is now with his beloved daughter Elma." Pallbearers: Jerry Cook, Charlie Ballantyne, David Hallett, Ryan Hallett, Clayton Mercredi, Jason Einarson, Trevor Arthurson, Ray Mercredi, Reg Mercredi. Honorary Pallbearers: Raymond (Cubie) Cook, George Mercredi, Albert Campbell, Doug Smith, Darryl Wilson, Allan Mercredi, Larry Gord, Bruce Goldsbra, Louis Young, Bruce Ballantyne, Ovide Mercredi, Terry (Teru) Hayachi, Kenneth Cook, Edgar McKay. Final Salute: Ray Cook, Gabe Skipper Cook, Kenneth Big Bird Cook, John JP Parisien. Friday morning: Brooklawn Crematorium 9:00 a.m., piper for final departure. Arrangements by ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES, LTD. Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2003