BENJAMIN HENDERSON

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BENJAMIN HENDERSON July 22, 1921 - December 13, 2003 Peacefully, in the presence of his loving wife Peggie, Ben Henderson passed away at the Poseidon Care Centre. Ben was born in Town Hill, Dunfermline, Scotland on July 22, 1921, oldest of six children of "Jock" and Annie Henderson. At age eight he travelled to Canada with his family, living first in St. Boniface then St. James. His family were active members of the St. James Citadel Salvation Army, where Ben played in the band along with his father and brother Joe. In February 1940 Ben joined the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry, and served his country until July 1945. He was stationed at Fort Osborne Barracks and in his role as Regimental Bugler he played at a Remembrance Day ceremony at Kelvin High School where he met student Peggie Fielden, whom he married in 1944. After the war Ben worked for Breen Motors and then Howard F. Powell Ltd., making lifelong friends at both places. Ben was a member of Westworth United Church from its founding in 1950, and served in many capacities, including running the cub program in the 1960s. Ben was an athlete as well as a musician, boxing and playing soccer for the army, curling first at Valour Road, later at Sir John Franklin, and then at Charleswood, where in 2003 he was awarded a Lifetime Membership for his contribution to the game of curling. Ben was also an avid fisherman and spent many happy hours casting his line into the Winnipeg River at Point du Bois. We will all remember Ben best for his quips and puns and quirky sense of humour. For many years he was in great demand as a toaster of brides, and he could always be counted on at banquets and other social occasions to make us laugh and enjoy ourselves. His charm and wit attracted many friends over the years. Ben was predeceased by his granddaughter Jennifer; his brothers, Jack and Jim; and his sister Molly Davyduke. He will be sadly missed by his wife Peggie; his brother Joe (Gwen) daughter Heather; sons, Ian (Sheila) and Lorne (Mona) grandchildren, Scott, Bonnie, Garett, Alex, Kelly, Robin and Rachel; daughter-in-law Lynn Henderson; son-in-law Des McLoughlin; as well as numerous other relatives and good friends. A private family interment will take place at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens prior to the memorial service. The memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 18, at 2:00 p.m. at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Ave. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 16, 2003