DR. ALEXANDER HILLIARD COTTICK

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DR. ALEXANDER HILLIARD COTTICK July 26, 1911 - February 29, 2004 How can one sum up such a long and fruitful life of 92 years in one short biography? Dr. A.H. Cottick gently passed to his next stage on Sunday morning, February 29, 2004. Predeceased by his second wife Evelyn Cottick in 1992, Al had spent the last 12 years living in Winnipeg near his son Chris studying biology, watching world politics and business. The accomplishments and goings on of his family were always important to him. He was immensely proud of his three sons, William, Alexander, and Christopher, never wasting an opportunity to tell anyone nearby about them. Born of Ukrainian parents, Sophie and Oleska in Fishing River, near Dauphin, MB on July 26, 1911. Al was the oldest of his family. Heilko, as he originally was called, graduated from Dauphin Collegiate, Dauphin Normal School in 1933. He taught school for five and a half years around Dauphin and in northern Manitoba until he went to Dental school in Toronto, graduating in 1944. He spent two years as a Captain in the Dental Corps stationed in Gimli and Calgary. During his time in Toronto, he married Mary Rae Kellie. They had two children, James and William. James passed away at age 11 months, and William is a lawyer in Victoria. Bill and his late wife Barbara had three children, Kellie, Kimberley and Christopher. Al practiced general dentistry in Winnipeg after the war. Always a teacher, many of his patients still recall in depth lectures on politics, religion and history during their dental appointments. Remarrying in 1955 to Violet Evelyn Murray, he had two more sons, Alexander and Christopher. Alexander Darroch-Cottick and family live in Winnipeg, where he practices dentistry. Christopher, his wife Marlene and daughter Larissa also live in Winnipeg, where Chris practices dentistry, following his fathers example of talking to his patients while they cant reply. Al was involved in many business ventures including Settlers Savings and Mortgage Corporation as well as the Ukrainian Business and Professional Club. He found another outlet for his teaching at the University of Manitobas Faculty of Dentistry. For years "Uncle Al" imparted his experience to numerous dental students. After his family, his many students throughout the years were close to his heart. Al is also survived by his two remaining sisters, Mary Balfour of Penticton, BC and Jean Martin of Winnipeg, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The last four years of Als life have been made extremely comfortable by his special care giver, Tam Tang. The family is very grateful to Tam for her gentle and loyal care for these last four years. Terry Godard also helped make the last years more comfortable for Al, Tam and the family. His help is greatly appreciated as well. A service of celebration of a long and fruitful life will be held at Korban Funeral Home, 907 Main St., on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation for scholarships and bursaries at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry can be made. Cremation has taken place.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 03, 2004