JOHN BRAYNE LEMAISTRE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN BRAYNE LEMAISTRE John was born in Winnipeg on Thursday, January 2, 1920, the youngest to Frederick Francis and Edith Harriett LeMaistre. He had three siblings, Arthur and Gertrude and is survived by Edward (Ted). He attended Fort Rouge, Earl Grey, and Kelvin High Schools. From January 1942 to December 1966, John was enlisted in the Canadian Naval Service that took him to the training at University of Toronto, Cornwallis, and Halifax. He served on Corvettes and Fairmile ships escorting convoys in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in the Atlantic, having his own command at the age of 24. In 1968, John retired from the Naval Reserve at H.M.C.S. Chippewa, Winnipeg, as Commander. He was involved with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, and was President and Honorary Life Member of the Navy League of Canada. His lifetime work included working in the banking business, which took him to the Lake of the Woods/Kenora. He then went into the commercial real estate management business and gave occasional lectures about the business. John was involved with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), becoming Regional Vice-President and Certified Property Manager, and involved with the Canadian Property Management (CPM) and finished off his career with A.E. Le Page. During this period, he became active with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and became a senior bureau member. He was also active with the Downtown Business Association which worked to revitalize the core area. He retired in 1985. Johns biggest enjoyment was his almost 53-year marriage with Suzanne, (who predeceased him in December 1997), and his family and friends. He leaves to mourn his seven children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Arthur (Madalene), Janice (Sean), Brad (Erin), and Linda; Jim (Maureen) Dave (Liz), Jeff (Brandy), Chris (Dawn), and Michael (Kristina) Anne (Tim) Mark (Karen), Jill, Scott; Mary (Siert), Stephen, Marissa; Susan, Jackie, Carmelle; along with several great-grandchildren, and his life-long friend, Margaret (Peg) Tapley and enduring friends, Karl and Evalyn Triffo, and his close, steadfast friend in Charles (Chuck) Fry and his wife, Joyce. John was fond of animals and nature; he enjoyed camping, golfing, and curling. In 1998, he was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, then received a pacemaker. Early in 2003, John was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and CLL Leukemia. These diseases took their toll on his mind, body and soul - and finally on his emotional and medical health. He died peacefully after a long struggle with his illness on Monday, January 26. A very special Thank You to Dr. Sheldon Permack, Amber, all the Staff at The Waverley, The Rosewood, and the Kildonan Personal Care Centre (3rd floor). Cremation has taken place and, as per Johns wishes, his ashes will be spread at sea, in full navy fashion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Society or the Cancer Society, in memory of John. A celebration of Johns life will be held on Thursday, January 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Klassen Funeral Chapel, 1897 Henderson Hwy. KLASSEN Funeral Chapel 1897 Henderson - North of McIvor - 338-0331

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 28, 2004