Gerald Tomalin

Gerald Arthur Tomalin

It is with great sadness we announce the passing, of Gerald Tomalin on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at his home, at the age of 79 years.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Renie; parents Arthur and Sarah; son Daniel; sister Irene Kitchen; brothers-in-law Tom Marsh and Hugh Armson and Earl (Anne) Armson; sisters-in-law June Tomalin and Donna Tomalin.

Left to cherish his memory are his children; son Terry (Karen) Tomalin with grandsons Justin and David (Jenna) and daughter Deb Tomalin with granddaughter Kearra; siblings George Tomalin, Reg Tomalin, Marj Marsh; brother-in-law Bob Kitchen and sisters-in-law Ruth Armson and Betty (Brian) Briand.

Gerald was born on April 10, 1935 at Portage la Prairie and was raised on the family farm at Oakland, MB.  In 1957 he married Corrine “Renie” Armson and together they farmed at Rignold and Oakland until Renie’s passing and then Gerald continued until the early 2010’s.  As a young man Gerald commercially fished in the winter months.  He and his brother George also operated Tomalin Transfer for a number of years until Gerald took on farming full time and George took over the Transfer full time.  Gerald also worked for Forsythe’s Coal and for Jack Forsythe in the snowmobile and boat business as a mechanic. He and Renie began travelling to Arizona in 1990 and purchased their own place in 1992.  Gerald continued to travel to Arizona after Renie’s passing, right up until the end of January of this year.  While in Arizona Gerald belonged to the Silveridge Men’s Pool League and the Men’s Ball Team.

Dad’s hobbies included golf, ball, pool, camping, curling, hockey and his winters in Arizona.  He also enjoyed following his grandchildren’s activities, as well as tinkering in the shop at the farm.

Viewing and visitation will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Celebration of Gerald’s Life will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015, at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper St. S. at 1:30 pm.  Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Gerald’s memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 200 – 310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba – Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7

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