ROBERT IAN THOMSON

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ROBERT IAN THOMSON On a warm sunny fall afternoon, Ian slipped away surrounded by his family and his favourite Moody Blues tunes. Ian remains forever in the hearts of his wife of 26 years, Lesley; their children, Jamie and Andrea and his father James. His extended family and many friends and co-workers are feeling the loss of a kind and gentle man with a great sense of humour, an extraordinary friend, father and husband. Ian died peacefully at the St. Boniface Hospital on Tuesday, September 12, 2000, at the age of 48 years. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last December with very little advance warning. While he knew from the outset the odds were against him, he handled himself with characteristic grace and dignity throughout the course of his illness. Being down-to-earth and pragmatic, his reaction was "You have to play the hand you are dealt." Consequently he placed himself in Gods hands and simply set about dealing with the effects of the disease without complaint. He never asked "Why me?" His concern was only for his family. Ian underwent six months of chemotherapy and took part in a clinical trial for a new drug. He believed that if the treatment did not help him, it might ultimately help toward a cure for future cancer patients. Ian and his family greatly appreciated the excellent medical care he received at the St. Boniface Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Ralph Wong who endeared himself to Ian and the family with his extra special care and his sensitivity to Jamie and Andrea. Thanks also to Bunty Anderson for her ongoing support, to the staff in the Cancer Clinic and on 5B ward, and to the Palliative Care Centre for the special care and respect Ian and his family received. We are also particularly grateful to Lesleys employers for enabling her to be home with Ian throughout his illness. Ian spent his entire working career as a Geotechnical Engineer with Acres International. His work ethic was respected by his co-workers and clients alike, many of whom became close personal friends. While his work took him to hydro dam construction projects in northern Manitoba and abroad, he always preferred to be back home with his family. Following a private interment of Ians ashes, a service of remembrance will be held in Green Acres Funeral Chapel, Hwy. #1 East at Navin Road, on Friday, September 15, at 3:00 p.m. Friends and family will then gather to celebrate Ians life at the Dugald Curling Club following the service (approximately 4:00 p.m.). Honorary pallbearers will be special friends, Steve Boriskewich, Barry Dickinson, Russ Malkoske, Lorne Robinson, John Schultz and Craig Young. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ians memory may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, Cancer Research, 100 Olivia St., Winnipeg, Man., R3E 0V9. GREEN ACRES FUNERAL CHAPEL 222-3241

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2000