HELGI MARTIN CHRISTIANSEN (SMITTY)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HELGI MARTIN CHRISTIANSEN (SMITTY) December 9, 1923 - January 26, 2004 Peacefully, surrounded by family, Dad passed away at the Grace Hospital. He leaves to cherish his memory his son Laurie (Davene) daughters, Linda Friesen (Lloyd), Barbara Anderson (Don) his grandchildren, Eirik, Wylie and Larson Christiansen, Tara and Laura Friesen, Robyn Bickford (Tommy), Alexa Anderson; and great-grandchildren, Lane and Jacob Bickford. Dad was predeceased by his two brothers, Eddie and Bob; his sister Anne Finnson; and great-granddaughter Desirae Couture (Bickford). Dad was born and raised in Selkirk, MB. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1940 serving on a corvette in the North Atlantic during the war and later joined the Naval Reserve at Chippewa. Upon returning home in 1945 Dad became an electrician. He married Anna Vigfusson in 1949 and they settled in Gimli where Dad began his career with the Department of Transport. He transferred to Winnipeg in 1960, Vancouver in 1975, and retired in 1981 back in Gimli. After a brief rest, Dad became the towns Harbour Master where he thoroughly enjoyed meeting and greeting all the Boaters that docked there. Dads next favourite time was his winters at the "Tip O Texas" where he met many wonderful new friends. Dad was a man of many talents including having an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, building our first new home, master electrician, airplane pilot, navigator, babysitter, and legendary joke-teller. He is finally at peace after many years of suffering due to arthritis. The family would like to extend their special thanks to the nurses on 3 West at the Grace Hospital for their special care, and to the Chaplain, Marilyn. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Arthritis Society (Rheumatoid), 105 - 386 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3R6 would be greatly appreciated. A celebration of Dads life will be held on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at the ANAVET Hall, 3584 Portage Ave. Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home Cemetery and Crematorium 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2004