GORDON STANLEY (STAN) HOWELL

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GORDON STANLEY (STAN) HOWELL Peacefully, on Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at the Grace General Hospital, with family at his side, Dad passed away at the age of 77 years. Stan leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Lorna; daughter Sandra; and son Doug (Gail) stepdaughters, Carmen and Miriam (Ean) stepson David (Laurie) grandchildren, Erin (Colin), Ashleigh, Brittany and Jordan; sisters, Margie and Gloria; and brother Bob. He will also be missed by Liam and Ryan and their parents, Michelin and Tom, who were his special friends next door. Dad was predeceased by his first wife Beverly Lorraine Chafe; his parents, Robert Efriam Howell and Susan Ryder Howell; and his sister Doris. Born and raised in St. Johns Newfoundland, Dad was a very bright student, who attended Bishop Field College. It was during his formative years that he developed his love affair with jazz music and playing the guitar both as a hobby and professionally throughout his life. He started his work career with the Government of Canada while in St. Johns resulting in transfers to Toronto in the mid 1950s and Winnipeg in 1960. His transfer to Winnipeg saw him assume the position of Regional Director of Statistics Canada, the same position that he retired from in 1985. Dad was very proud of his career in public service. During the years 1960 to 1985, he oversaw the regional completion of 5 Canadian Censuses, while mentoring and developing many people. He was an innovative manager who implemented proactive advancements in the workplace such as the hiring of minorities and promotion of women before legislation was passed to do so. He always saw the good in people and thought through proper delegation and support, they would achieve their best once given the chance to do so. He was seldom wrong. Dad was a man of many talents and hobbies. He enjoyed working with his hands and this was evident in his woodworking skills. Along with his love of playing jazz music, Dad served as president of The Winnipeg Jazz Society in the mid 1980s. He was instrumental in working with the U.S. consulate to have a U.S. pavilion with a jazz theme join Folklorama with much success and enjoyment for many. Dad was a collector; he loved the process of finding many treasures others no longer had use for. A man of great humour, he was also a voracious reader with a tremendous vocabulary and recall of historical facts and knowledge that never ceased to amaze those that knew him. He always derived great pleasure from his family, home and his garden. Stans funeral service will be held today, Wednesday, August 4 at 11:00 a.m. in Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Dr. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Stans memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Foundation, 102 - 310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald St., Suite 200, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. WOJCIKS ALL BELIEFS & FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2004