SAMUEL RICHARD COWAN

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SAMUEL RICHARD COWAN Peacefully, with family by his side, Richard passed away on August 10, 2014. Richard's memory will be cherished by his devoted children; Margaret, John (Janis), Cathie (Kurt); and grandchildren Andrew, Megan (Kevin), Stuart, Rachel and Owen. Richard was predeceased by his loving wife Betty (Stobbs); sister Mary (Waggoner); brother Robert and parents Fred and Nora (Arscott) Cowan. Richard was born in Killarney, MB on July 10, 1925 and grew up on the family farm in Deepdale, MB. He attended Sunny Slope School, and while growing up he helped out with chores around the farm, played baseball, fished the nearby creeks, and went to dances in nearby Roblin, MB. When the family moved to Winnipeg, Richard attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and then he worked several jobs until he got his accreditation as a Radio Operator with the Department of Transport in 1945 and he was posted at Chesterfield Inlet, NU, Duck Lake, SK; and at Saskatoon, SK. Richard applied to Air Traffic Control and after training in Cornwall, ON, he received his licence in 1953 and worked in the Air Traffic Control Towers of Saskatoon and Winnipeg. While stationed in Saskatoon, he met Betty, the love of his life and they were married on October 4, 1954. After a few years of marriage and transfers between Saskatoon and Winnipeg, Richard and Betty moved to Winnipeg and raised their three children. During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s air traffic was busy and stressful at Winnipeg International Airport and with shift work, Richard relied on Betty to ensure the family home was in order. Richard had backyard garden each year, harvested apples for Betty's delicious apple pies, played some golf and enjoyed curling. Richard was a devoted family man, took great pride in being a father and grandfather, and provided good guidance, life skills assistance and loving support. Richard was a Free Mason and was with the Masonic Temple for 50 years. In 1965, Richard and Betty purchased a cottage at Moose Lake, MB to serve as a break from the stresses of work and so began many cherished summers of cottage life. Richard loved being at the cottage, and he looked forward to spring time fishing, boating, playing cards, picking blue berries, swimming, afternoons on the dock, and evening walks with Betty. Richard retired as a Tower Supervisor in 1980 and had a long and happy retirement with Betty. Together they enjoyed time at home, the cottage, being with family and friends, and traveled within Canada and Europe, cruises in the Caribbean Islands and the Panama Canal, and frequented hot vacation spots in Hawaii, Mexico and Cuba to break up the Winnipeg winters. In 1996, Richard and Betty decided to be snowbirds and stayed a few winter months each year at Apache Junction, AZ where they hiked, played cards with friends and family, and enjoyed the warm weather. Richard had a long and wonderful life, was a loyal husband and father, and provided love and guidance as a grandfather. The family would like to thank the nursing staff on ward E5 at St. Boniface Hospital, for their kind and compassionate care of our Dad. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Philip's Anglican Church, 240 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, with an immediate family interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. 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 Aug 13, 2014