WALLACE THOMAS POWELL (published on June 13, 2008)
| WALLACE THOMAS POWELL 1920-2008 With his family at his side, Wally left us Wednesday, June 11, 2008 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimers. He had been in the Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home for the past 14 years. He is survived by his wife Clara and children Ken (Lesley), Patty (Dean) Alfonso, Clare (Lyle) Harris and Wally Jr. He is also survived by his grandchildren Cassidy (Bill) Papaioannou, Ginny (Mitch) Rarog, Jared and Lincoln Powell, Hayley and Arden Alfonso and great-grandchildren Courtney and Bailey Papaioannou and Sydney and Griffin Rarog and his aunt Margeurite Powell. He was predeceased by his grandson Kenny Powell in 1993. Wally was born in Winnipeg to Ken and LaRene. After graduating from St. Johns College he traveled to California where he graduated from the Curtiss Wright School of Aeronautical Engineering. He returned to Winnipeg and was employed by Canadian Airways. He joined the Canadian Airforce as a flight engineer servicing planes during the Second World War. He married Clara Rutherford in 1942. He was involved in the family grain business as well as the automotive business in the 1950's and 1960's through his ownership of Century Motors and Prairie Engine Remanufacturing. He was an early venture capitalist and in the 1960's and 1970's financed such businesses as the EX-EL Boat Company. He was an active member of the community. He was a member of the Blue Bombers executive board for many years, the board of the Salvation Army, a Shriner, a community club hockey coach, a golfer, a hunter and fisherman, a pilot and an avid boater and snowmobiler. Wally had a wide range of friends from all walks of life who affectionately called him Tub, Waldo or WallAss. Wally had a lifetime connection to Lac du Bonnet beginning in the early 1930's when he spent summers working with his uncle Ernie helping to build the family cottage. It was during one of these summers that he met the love of his life Clara Rutherford and also became lifelong friends of her brothers Bob and Bill. He always loved a good party and he wasn't fond of funerals and so to honour his wishes there will be no funeral. Instead there will be a celebration of his life to be held at the Manitoba Club from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008. Friends of the family are invited to drop by and share memories. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at the Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home for the incredibly kind and wonderful care they provided to Dad all these years, and especially during the last few weeks. A special thanks also goes to Rev. Cannon J.W. Whitford who visited Dad at every opportunity. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice. |
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