WILFRED MCCALLUM

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WILFRED MCCALLUM With great sadness we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, and brother Wilfred (Wilf) Donald McCallum on Saturday, June 6, 2015. Wilf was predeceased by his parents Archie and Nellie McCallum, his loving wife Marion McCallum, his brother Jack McCallum, brother-in-law Frank Rudnicki, sister-in-law Eleanor Buchanan, and brother-in-law James Hird. He is survived by his children Brent McCallum (Brenda Kelly), Kevin McCallum (Joyce), and Myra Tillett (Grant) and his grandchildren Jordan, Christopher, Rylan, Ian and Makenzie McCallum, sister Hilda Rudnicki, brother Leslie McCallum, sisters-in-law Lena Hird and Jean Hird, and brother-in-law Ken Buchanan. He also leaves to mourn many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Wilf was born on March 13, 1935 in Rathwell, Manitoba. He grew up on the family farm and left school in grade seven to help run the family farm. Wilf moved to Winnipeg in the early 1950s and found work at Canada Packers where he spent over 35 years and made many lifelong friends. He joined St. John's Ambulance through work which allowed him to attend many Blue Bombers and Jets games to help injured fans from a flying puck. Wilf always had a new "bad" joke he had heard at work or read in the paper and loved to tell them again with family or friends over a good laugh. Wilf met Marion Alice Hird growing up in the Rathwell and Treherne area. They were married August 15, 1959 and had three children Brent, Kevin and Myra. They had a wonderful and loving marriage for over 50 years until Marion passed away in 2010. Wilf and Marion were busy parents with children's sports, camping with the family, and helping out on the family farm. They had many happy years of retirement after Wilf retired at age 55. He then worked part-time with his buddy Johnny Fedak painting houses. Wilf and Marion built a beautiful family cottage at Belaire. They spent most of their summers at the cottage, except when there was a dance on. They loved square dancing, round dancing, and old-time dancing and would travel all over Manitoba to attend. They met many wonderful friends through dancing. Wilf was an active curler, wood worker, and framed and matted Marion's paintings. He was very close to relatives Linda Hird and her son Derek Hird, as well as Sandra Fraser and her late mother Alice Fraser. Wilf had a serious stroke in April 2012 which resulted in the loss of his driver's licence and difficulty using his left arm and leg. He spent many months in rehab to regain good mobility and function which allowed him to return to his home and live independently. He was able to get to activities through the kindness of family and friends. Thanks to everyone who helped Wilf with rides, food and other acts of kindness during his recovery. Anne Thoroughgood was his excellent dance partner and made sure he got to the dances he loved. Wilf was very active right up to his passing. He delighted in his weekly meetings at Salisbury House with close friends, and other coffee groups with Canada Packers friends. Wilf was blessed with caring and compassionate neighbours, thanks to you all for helping Wilf. Wilf enjoyed getting to know people and share jokes. He spoke often of his children, grandchildren, and other relatives and was very proud of them. He attended all the events he could for his grandchildren in Morden and Winnipeg. He was a kind hearted man who was well liked by everyone he met. We are grateful to have had such a wonderful gentleman in our lives. A funeral will be held on Thursday, June 11 at 1:00 p.m. at the United Church in Meadowood. A private family interment will be held at a later date at the Woodland cemetery at Treherne. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Thanks to the staff of St. Boniface Hospital (5E) for their excellent care. Adam's Funeral Home of Notre Dame, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 10, 2015