George Garnham

After an extended stay in the Portage General Hospital our father George Everett Garnham passed away on 16 September, 2020 a day after his 92nd birthday.

Dad was born to Alfred and Zelda Garnham at a whopping weight of 2 lbs in Fannystelle, MB on 15 September 1928 and eventually had 11 siblings.

Twenty two years later he met and married our mother Margaret Mary (Delorme) and together for almost 63 years before Mom passed in April 2013. In 1951 they started their family by bringing a set of twins into the world Alex and Alice, then six years later they had a daughter Laura and on their anniversary of 22 July 1964 they completed their family with a son Marcel. Then they had a late comer a little boy called Buddy (the dog) for 14 years.

Dad was the last surviving of all his sibling, Alf, Les, Alvin, Bill, Bob, Muriel,  Amy, Ethel, Joyce, Jimmy & Stan.

Left to mourn the loss of our beloved Dad is his daughter Laura from Winnipeg, MB, daughter Alice Steinke and son-in-law Les of Headingly, MB, son Marcel and girlfriend Andrea of Portage la Prairie, MB and son Alex and daughter-in-law Hermie of Burnaby, BC.  He also leaves to mourn his passing grandsons Ted and wife Shannon of North Bay, ON, David and husband Trevor of Winnipeg, MB and Kyle Garnham of Langley, BC.  Joe Delorme and Freida Morrison of Kenora, ON and many nieces & nephews.

Dad loved to reminisce about the old days & he would ask if he told us something … and it didn't matter if your answer was yes or no you still got to hear it again. But now those stories are what are going to carry us through the next months and years.

There are so many people we need to thank when one of us siblings couldn't be here; his nephew Vern & Jane were there, and nephew Doug & May were only a phone call away.  Dad & Doug used to go for haircuts at a place called Off the Top but if you knew Dad there was nothing on the top to take off.  Dad felt very humble & honoured to be friends with Dave Gair; he also had his coffee buddies at McDonald‘s. During Dad‘s first month in hospital he made a wonderful friend & roommate named Norbert who kept vigil for us. There are kids who are adults now who still remember Mr. Garnham.  Dad would say I should know them, but so many knew him from school, he was like a celebrity.

Dad was such a hard worker all his life but when he started getting up there in age he wished he could do so much more physically - but I would tell him he used it all up when he was young.  Considering Dad‘s limited education he provided for his family very well working 2-3 jobs just to make an extra buck.

Dad was a wonderful gardener up to the last few years.  Laura was so happy to have spent his 92nd birthday with him in the hospital with balloons & cake and friends & family outside the window who sang Happy Birthday to him over the phone.  One of the last things Dad spoke about to the staff was about his birthday.

We will forever miss Dad & cherish the time we had with him.  If we had him forever it wouldn't have been long enough.  As an expression of sympathy, if friends so wish in lieu of flowers they may make a donation of their choosing.

A private family funeral will be held with interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021