Dick Wilson

Obituary

RICHARD WILSON Born July 3, 1918, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2009, shortly before his 91st birthday, Richard, or Dick as he was known by all his friends and family, was predeceased by his wife and best friend Bernadetta, brother Robert, sisters Grace and Gwen and survived by sister Kaye Coles of Dryden, Ontario.

Richard was born in Glenella, Manitoba, and shortly thereafter moved to Virden, Manitoba, until he left as a teenager during the depression to pursue work and support the family at home. He joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers prior to the outbreak of the Second World War and served in Jamaica before deploying to Hong Kong at the beginning of war. He was captured at the battle of Hong Kong, where he remained a POW for the duration of the Second World War. He was a lifelong member of the Hong Kong veterans association, and stayed in touch with many of his comrades until shortly before his death.

After the war, he joined Greyhound bus lines, and worked routes between Ignace, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta. Upon retirement Dick and Bernadetta spent many years summering in Beausejour, Manitoba, and wintering in Mesa, Arizona. During the summer months Dick and Bea were frequent visitors to Bea's niece and nephew Arvella and Mel Matthews in Pine Falls, Manitoba, where Dick spent many hours entertaining nieces and nephews during many family gatherings. His camera was never far away, and he captured many memorable moments that all the family members cherish to this day. In 1995, Dick and Bea moved to Stonewall MB, to be near family and spent many enjoyable years in Lions Manor. They enjoyed traveling and Dick spent many hours photographing rural Canada and the Native Americans of South Western United States. He enjoyed music and recording video of family events and Mother Nature. Dick enjoyed fishing and hunting trips with his Greyhound buddy Walter and was a great fan of the CFL (Go Green!).

Dick is survived by three nephews Bruce Wilson of Calgary, Bob Coles and George Coles of Dryden, and his niece, Betty St. John of Vernon, B.C. At Dick's request there will be no funeral service, and interment will be scheduled for Chapel Lawn Cemetery at a future date. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Dick's memory can do so to the Deer Lodge Foundation in his name.

Special thanks should be given to his niece Angie, who spent many hours caring for Uncle Dick and to the staff of Tower 7 Deer Lodge Hospital, whose kindness, professionalism, and care was second to none.

MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

Tribute

Thank you Uncle Dick

To RICHARD WILSON - June 22, 2009

I wanted to make sure I had a chance to thank you for all you have contributed to my life and the Wilson family.

Thank you for:

Being born and raised during the Depression years, so you learned the value of a dollar and what it represents and the value of helping others in need.

Riding the “rails” to find work, and send money home to support your mother, your sisters, and my dad in Virden, Manitoba.

Defending Canada’s freedom during WWII when you gave unselfishly of your time and talents to defend Hong Kong. Unfortunately , the war turned against you and you persevered as a prisoner of war in some very intense and difficult years. You emerged battered but proud of your contribution – thank you for that!

Keeping Manitoba/western Ontario “on the move” with Greyhound, in your postwar job as a bus driver – safe, courteous, and proud of your record of accident free driving and excellent service to your customers!

As a young boy, sharing with me the beauty of rural Manitoba and the fur trade and Metis historical buildings you helped me explore.

Becoming a “snowbird” with your lovely wife Beatrice, as you took an active interest in heading South to Arizona each winter. You became enchanted with the American Aboriginal Indian stories, and made great efforts to communicate and photograph their lifestyle to share with others.

Sharing with me your interest in photography, travel and gardening. I caught the first two – 2 out of 3 ain’t bad!

Giving unselfishly to others less fortunate, and supporting your local community efforts, the War Amps, Veterans Association and other projectds needing financial support (eg. Stonewall Community Hockey Rink/Arena complex)

Living long enough to be able to see many of your nieces and nephews achieve in their careers, and raise new Wilson family members, under various last names. You enjoyed meeting and spending time with my wife Carol and myself and always made us feel “at home” with you and Aunt Bea when visiting Manitoba.

Coming to see your brother (and my Dad) Bob prior to his passing. Sharing childhood memories (the only ones he could remember) meant the world to us, and showed us what brotherly love was all about!

Staying alive and persevering through your latest health issues with cancer to be able to visit with me and your Dryden, Ontario nephews – we saw the ravages cancer has had on your body. Hugs and kisses don’t always convey how much “we love you”!

So, Happy Birthday coming soon Uncle Dick – 91 years proud, an amazing life story worth sharing!

In the words of the song that Celine Dion made famous:

“there is no easy way out,

When you are ready to go,

and your heart is in doubt,

Don’t give up on your faith,

Love comes to those who believe,

And that’s the way it is!

Your loving nephew,

Bruce Wilson

Calgary, Alberta