C. Willie Brydon

Charles William Brydon

"Willie"

Peacefully on Thursday, January 1, 2015 at the Lions Prairie Manor, Willie Brydon passed away at the age of 84 years.

He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Cora Brydon; wife Peggy; partner Verna Bailey; brothers Stuart (Hilda) and Ralph; brothers-in-law Howard (Gail) Gilmour, Bob Gilmour, sister-in-law Vera Brydon and great grandson Michael Barker.

Memories of Willie will be cherished by his daughter Donna (Jim) McKenzie; granddaughter Chelsea (Tim) Barker and great grandson Titus; grandson Scott McKenzie; brother Jim (Ruth) Brydon of Ottawa; sisters-in-law Opal “Jo” (Floyd) Miller, Shirley Gilmour and Jean (Al) Brydon- Schultz as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families.  Willie will also be fondly remembered by Verna’s children Doug and Maria Bailey, Ardele and Stan Ritchie and families.

Willie was born on May 13th, 1930 in Portage la Prairie.  He grew up on the family farm, the youngest of 4 boys. When starting high school, the Principal said, "the more you Brydon boys come, the worse you get!".  Dad seemed quite proud of that statement!   Willie completed 3 years of high school in 2 years, and once graduated, continued working the family farm. He grew a wide variety of crops, grains to sugar beets, being a proud sugar beet farmer for nearly 45 years! In the winter months he worked at McKenzie Seed Cleaning plant where many a prank was shared!  He married Peggy Gilmour and they lived on the family farm til 1999, when they moved to Dalton Grove Estates.  The Brydon Farm was a Century Farm recipient.  They had one daughter, Donna. Willie was a proud Grandpa to Chelsea and Scott.  Peggy passed away in 1999. Willie enjoyed the wonderful companionship of Verna Bailey from 2004 until she passed away in 2012.  Verna's family became Willie's family, and vice versa. He followed Verna's grand kids just like his own. His pride and joy, great grandson Titus, joined the family in 2011.

Willie enjoyed curling and after he stopped competing himself, became an avid follower, travelling near and far to watch the game. In 1961 Willie's team was runner up in the Manitoba Provincials. Terrier hockey was another one of his sports interests, being a season ticket holder from the early 70's to 2012. He also held Winnipeg Blue Bomber Seasons tickets for a number of years with Donna, Jim and family. He was a faithful follower of Chelsea's Ringette and Scott's soccer teams. Until recent years, he could be found every summer camping at Miller's campground or at Austin's Thresherman's Reunion, which he rarely missed. Willie was a big supporter of the Red Cross/Canadian Blood services, donating blood over 100 times.  Willie loved old time dancing, and was a much sought after partner, especially for polkas!  Once moving to Dalton, he became very involved in cribbage and bridge nights. He loved a good joke and thoroughly enjoyed being a Grandpa and great Grandpa.

Dad moved to Lion's Prairie Manor in 2012. His personality endeared himself to the staff there. This was quite evident in the past week when numerous staff came to bid him farewell. The Family can not thank the Parkside Staff enough for the wonderful care given to him.

A Celebration of Willie’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street South led by Rev. Julie Baker.  Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Willie’s memory to the Burnside Cemetery Fund c/o Community Foundation of Portage & District, P.O.Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3J9