Arnold "Arnie" McNee

With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Arnold “Arnie” McNee on Thursday July 29, 2021 at Portage District General Hospital at the age of 78 years.

Arnie will be lovingly remembered by his wife Marion, daughter Charlene (Stewart) Richard, Camperville, MB; son Lee (Carol) McNee, Edmonton, AB; daughter Colleen (Chris) Perry, Portage la Prairie, MB; grandchildren Terri, Kenneth, Jayson, Tyler and Kaylee, great-granddaughter Clara, brothers Bob (Darlene) McNee, Queens County, NB; George McNee, Mission, BC; John (Darlene) McNee, Penticton, BC; Norman (Rhonda) McNee, Oliver, BC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Elaine and Cecil, brother Tom McNee, sister Dorothy Vincent, sister-in–law Denis McNee and granddaughter Marion Richard.

Arnie was born in Govan, Saskatchewan on August 10, 1942. He grew up helping on the family farm until he was old enough to join the military. Arnie found his calling by joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1959, where he was employed as a radio technician. While in the military Arnie was first stationed in Clinton, ON where he met the love of his life Marion and wed in 1961. Throughout his 31 year military career Arnie was stationed at multiple places across Canada, with his final posting at 744 Comm. Squadron in Winnipeg.

On the acreage in High Bluff, Arnie settled into retirement ensuring his yard and garden kept him busy along with the three children. Once the kids were on their own, Arnie dove right into his next passion of camping, this is where he and Marion were members of the Yellowquill Good Sam camping club and travelled around Manitoba and eventually became snowbirds and took their annual trip to Arizona. Arnie enjoyed travelling especially if he had the opportunity to visit family.

Family was the most important thing to Arnie and was always there to help if needed. Later on once the grandchildren came along, you could find Arnie out teaching the kids how to do things the “Arnie” way, gardening and maintenance on the yard tractors were quite comical at times, but you could always count on Arnie to be patient and teach the kids something new, even if there were new words the kids were learning if you know what I mean.

Arnie was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65 where he held numerous positions.

A graveside service will be held at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 11:30 am, led by father Michael Savarimuthu. (Bring a lawn chair)

There will be a slideshow presentation made available on his obituary page following the service.

As expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Arnie’s memory to Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave E, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65, 275 Duke Ave, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N3A7.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com