JAMES MAURICE ANDERSON

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JAMES MAURICE ANDERSON After living a full life, it is time to say goodbye to our dad and grandfather, James (Jim) Anderson who passed away peacefully on January 1, 2013 at the age of 92 with his family at his side. He is predeceased by his parents Eva and Alex Anderson, his brother Norman and his sister Winifred Goode. Dad will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Joan Anderson, daughters Gloria Perron (Phil), Pat Guile (Joe Proksz) and his son Rick Anderson (Allen Reed); his six grandchildren Jason (Amy), Jill (Jeff), Danielle (Ryan), Trevor (Michelle), Kevin (Kelly), Shannon (Ross); his 12 great grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews in Canada, Australia and England. Dad was born and raised in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. As a young man he joined the Canadian army for the Second World War and was based in Aldershot, England. While at a dance in London, he met his future wife, Joan, to whom he proposed following the war. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage until his recent passing. Jim owned and operated the Sunnyside Barber Shop in Winnipeg for many years. It was his good-natured healthy optimism, mischievous, love of a good joke and his regular football draw that made the shop more than just a place to get a haircut. In the 1950s it was also a community gathering spot on Sargent Avenue, often with a line which ran around the corner on Saturdays, where the neighborhood gathered to socialize and exchange comic books. Then in 1974 until his retirement in 1985 Jim managed the Head Shop, a barber shop at the University of Manitoba, where he continued to re-create that community gathering place where many friendships were developed. Jim was an active member of St. Jude's Anglican Church where he was active in both the men's club and the weekly bowling league. He was also an avid curler, with a lifetime membership at the Thistle Curling Club, and enjoyed golf, horseshoes with his cousin Jack, and gardening. After retirement, Dad's vision deteriorated significantly. He was a remarkable man and would never let his blindness stand in the way of enjoying life. He would walk to the Church of the Good Shepherd every Sunday, golf with his family every Monday morning at Crescent Drive, plant his flowers, maintain his lawn and harvest his bountiful crop of tomatoes every summer. Dad's source of pride and enjoyment was the gathering of his family. He started many family traditions including the annual joke gift exchange which continues to this day. He looked forward to every gathering of his family where he would be found teasing with a sparkle in his eyes, instigating a debate, imparting his wisdom, and always be prepared to share a joke at the right moment. From young to old, Dad will always be remembered as a kind and loving man who nurtured strong relationships with others and made everyone smile. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian National Institute of the Blind, Manitoba Chapter, 1080 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3M3. The family would like to thank the staff at Vista Park Lodge for the care provided to Dad in the last year. A special thank you to the staff at the Victoria Hospital, fourth floor, for their professionalism and compassionate care in making Dad comfortable in his final days. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. Interment in Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens will take place at a later date. WE LOVE YOU DAD. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca. Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2013