PAUL THOMAS SISSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

PAUL THOMAS SISSON Paul embarked on the continuation of his life's journey on Friday, June 20, 2014, the eve of the summer solstice. Paul passed away peacefully at home with his family around him and the morning daybreak sun on his face. Paul was born in Winnipeg on October 10, 1952. He was the chosen son of Ken and Helen Sisson. He was predeceased by his dad Ken on April 1, 1967 and his mom Helen on October 11, 2013. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Janice, his children Michael Sisson (Chelsea), Marcya Ervick (Jeff), Stewart Williamson (Margaret), Shannon Williamson (Danny), and his grandchildren. Also missing him will be his sister Lesley Brown (Dorland) and their family. Paul was an integral part of Janice's family and the entire Rosenthal clan will be feeling the loss as well as his numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. His Liberian sisters, Ade and Derconte and their families will be missing their big brother Paul. Paul grew up in Kings Park, across the road from the Red River. Paul would recall how he and his childhood friends would ride the ice floes on the river in the spring and how at the age of 12 he swam across the river and back. His favourite childhood memories though center around the Sisson family farms in Elm Creek. It was here that Paul felt a true sense of belonging. He told stories of working in the fields with his Uncle Clarence and his cousin Blair, rodeos with the other Sisson cousins and scores of antics as they grew up and roamed the countryside around Elm Creek. He tried his hand at many trades including the Hudson's Bay Company in Nelson House, underground mining in Thompson, picking fruit in southern California with the migrant farm workers; panning for gold in Dawson City, firefighting in northern Saskatchewan and staking mining claims in northern British Columbia. He eventually settled in northern Saskatchewan and began his career in carpentry. He spent several years in Ponteix, Saskatchewan where he bought himself a dirt bike and rode for hours through the badlands admiring the beauty of the raw landscape. In 1986, Paul returned to Winnipeg. He worked almost 15 years in northern native and Inuit communities building schools, medical facilities and community buildings. He ended his construction career working in the movie industry as a set carpenter. He married his life's mate - his "girlie", Janice, in February 1990 and together they shared family, laughter, travel and construction projects. Paul was an avid traveller having visited Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia in his early years. He and Janice especially enjoyed their travels to Mexico, Costa Rica, and the southern U.S. states. Along the way Paul fell in love with Florida and it was here that they spent their past five years vacations golfing and fishing and where they had hoped to spend their winter retirement years. Paul was an avid gardener and would spend his entire day outside puttzing as he put it. He loved the daybreak hours with nature and wildlife around him. He and Janice enjoyed any kind of DIY project and between the gardens and home renovations, there was always a project list on the go. Paul remained a kid at heart - he used to say that he may grow old but he would never grow up. The kids can all attest to this as his sense of adventure and daring rivaled theirs as they grew up. There was seldom a dull moment when he was around. He coached Stewart's baseball team, had them all racing the go-cart, led a group of us to build our own igloos, made winter campfires, built a skating rink for a Christmas party, engineered winter ski trips and summer fishing trips. There were many hunting and fishing adventures with Stewart, Lorne and Grandpa. Paul was a lover of animals - he raised chickens and peacocks and he and Shannon nursed stray birds. He felt every home needed a dog and we had a few that he would be sure to spoil including his newest partner, his Newfoundland Luna. He especially enjoyed his time at the cabin - eating too much, playing guitar by the fire, scrabble tournaments, fishing for walleye and renovating the cabin. He was passionate about his golf game; one year playing 90 rounds in a season. Paul was a voracious reader with a keen interest in early Canadian history and the fur trading explorers. He frequented his used bookstore regularly to load up on David Baldacci and Jack Reacher novels. Paul loved music. He played guitar and dabbled with piano, fiddle and mandolin. He loved nothing better than some good 12 bar blues. Paul had a beautiful voice and if you could coax him into singing, you were in for a treat. He knew the first two lines to more country songs than we could count (but usually no more than the first two lines which led to some interesting improvisation on his part). His sense of humour knew no bounds. He could find the humour in any situation. He teased everyone - including his grandchildren endlessly, always bringing out choruses of laughter. His nephew Matthew described him as the most brutally honest and politically incorrect person he knew, with a smile. More than anything though Paul was a simple man with simple tastes. He was tolerant of others, quick to point out that he was far from perfect himself. He was forgiving and thoughtful and he always had his heart tuned to the underdog. He was for many years a staunch NDP man supporting their views on the working man. He was not a religious man but he had a spiritual soul. He had no bucket list - he felt he had a lived a fabulous life and had no regrets. He was amazed he lived to be 61. He had fought his demons and his illness and he was ready to face his death. He felt he was blessed with his family and the love he had known. He was so grateful for family and friends who cared for him this past few months. He left us a legacy of laughter, perseverance and love. The family would like to thank the army of family and friends that rallied to the cause providing care, meals, love and laughter over the past few months. To the CancerCare Manitoba teams at Health Sciences and at the Victoria Hospital Buhler Cancer Centre including Dr. Qureshi, Eleanor and the "chemo girls" as Paul called them - you are saints. Our gratitude to the Palliative at Home program staff who, without their support, Paul's wishes and his dignified and beautiful death could not have happened. To his primary nurses Maryann and Monique as well as Mary and the office staff - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are all angels who have found your special calling. A remembrance and celebration of Paul's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. In keeping with Paul's nature, the service will be informal. There will be an opportunity for family and friends to share their memories of Paul and we encourage all to do so. Flowers are gratefully declined but donations are being accepted to Victoria Hospital Foundation, Miracle Garden for a commemorative item in honour of Paul and his mom Helen or to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign to which Paul felt a special affinity. For many years, every morning Paul would open the Free Press to read the day's obituaries and he would then proceed to share what he learned about the life stories he read. Paul, we hope we captured your spirit in this story. May you sleep the sleep of the just. 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 Jun 26, 2014