GARTH PICKELL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GARTH PICKELL On August 17, 2005 at the Grace Hospital following a short illness, Garth Pickell died at the age of 86. Predeceased by his beloved wife Anne and his parents, Norman and Mima Pickell and brother Jim, he is survived by his daughter, Patti Gully and his son, Guy Pickell. Born in Carman, MB in 1918, a formative influence on his early years was his grandfather, the pioneer, James Clark. It was at Carman High School that he wrote his first newspaper column, thus beginning a writing career that would span seven decades. Upon graduation in 1936, he became a columnist for the Carman Dufferin Leader. and in 1941, with the St. James Leader. During the Second World War, he enlisted with the Canadian Army, serving as Camp Correspondent at Fort Osborne Barracks and post-war, he became editor of the St. James Leader and the Springfield Leader. He was also Manitoba correspondent for the Canadian Weekly Editor magazine and a member of the Winnipeg Press Club. He served on the executives of the St. James Board of Trade and the St. James Legion. In 1947, Garth married Anne Sandulak of Sperling and the couple settled in St. James. In 1949, he accepted a position as sales representative with Canadian Salt Co. Ltd. and was transferred to Red Deer, AB for three years. He and Anne returned to Winnipeg in 1951 where he worked for Canadian Salt until his retirement. His territory included most of rural Manitoba and Thunder Bay. He was the recipient of several sales awards and for almost 30 years submitted a gossip column to the company newsletter. Upon Garth's retirement, he wrote a column for the 1982 inaugural edition of Seniors Today, now The Prime Times, and continued to contribute The Pickell Barrel until his demise. Garth was a tireless volunteer and gave over 20 years to the CanSurmount program for cancer survivors and served on numerous sick visiting committees. Notably, for over two decades he spent every Christmas morning visiting shut-in vets at Deer Lodge Hospital. He was a faithful supporter of an orphanage in Pohang, Korea. Garth was also a Shrine Daddy, a former Shrine Chanter, a 50 year member of Fidelity Masonic Lodge, an inductee of the Royal Order of Scotland and a 60 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion, St. James Branch. He was past-president of the Thistle Seniors Curling Club, a member of the Thursday Morning Break-y Club and busy convener of the popular Scottish Rite-irees Luncheon Club. In 2002, Garth became the proud recipient of the Walter C. McDonald Medal for meritorious service. Garth loved life, being out and about in town, seeing and being seen and there were few places he could go without being recognized. He also loved animals of all kinds, in particular his dapper pal, Whitey the cat. Faith played a large part in Garth's life and he was a longtime member of the United Church of Canada. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23 at Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Dr. Rev. Bill Corkum officiating. Honorary pallbearers are, Don Couch, Dick Giesbrecht, Ken Hand, David Pickell, Orren Pickell, Norm Pohl, Olga Sandulak and Mona Tempest. If friends so desire, donations can be made to the Manitoba CancerCare Foundation, the Winnipeg Humane Society, or any charity of choice. NEIL BARDAL 949-2200

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 21, 2005