HOWARD NEIL THOMAS

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HOWARD NEIL THOMAS July 1, 1943 - March 23, 2012 Howard passed away at the Health Sciences Centre on Friday, March 23, 2012. Howard spent his childhood at Matheson Island. He worked as a fisher and as a deckhand on several fish freighters, surviving the sinking of the J.R.Spear. He later spent many years touring the Prairie Provinces and Northern Ontario entertaining as Snake Island Slim. He played a mean rhythm guitar. He was always willing to share whatever he had with his friendswhich usually meant anyone whose name he knew, despite never accumulating many worldly goods. Howard never played for strangers, because by the end of the night he knew everyone in the audience and they were all his friends. He had great pride in his native ancestry. He is survived by his partner Ellain Patenaude-Johnson, Elaine's children and grandchildren, special grandson Justin and daughter Tracy (Dan), grandchildren Sierra, Haylee and Luke, brothers Lloyd (Linda), Patrick (Pam) and Danny (Susan). He was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Rose, sister Margo and brother Richard. Viewing will be held at the Gilbart's Funeral Chapel in Selkirk on Tuesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a short reception at his brother Lloyd's residence in East Selkirk. Funeral services will take place at Matheson Island on Wednesday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ray Settee officiating, followed by a lunch at the Community Hall. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 26, 2012