WALLACE BENWELL PILE

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WALLACE BENWELL PILE January 27, 1922 March 26, 2013 It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce the passing of Wallace (Wally) at Middlechurch Personal Care Home, surrounded by his family, the afternoon of Tuesday, March 26, 2013. He was predeceased by Eileen, his beloved wife of 61 years, on August 20, 2010. Left to cherish his memory are children Linda Pittendreigh (Wayne), David (Ellen), Shirley Babaluk (John), Mervyn (Jodie) and Noreen Gnitzinger (Dieter). He is also lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Cale (Farah) Pittendreigh, Alyson, Jayne and Brett Pile, Neil (Pat) and Marc Babaluk, Corey (Tammy) and Bryce (Stephanie) Pile and Dayna (Stefan) Gislason, McGill, Lonny and Jared Gnitzinger and Kassi (Dave) Miller, and nine great-grandchildren. Wally is also survived by his sister June McCreedy (Ross), cousin Jim Pile and nieces Sandy and Christie. Wally was born in Winnipeg on January 27, 1922 to Wallace William and Bertha Pile. After graduating from high school, he took his first job with the C.P.R. Winnipeg office. Wally joined the R.C.A.F. during the Second World War and trained as a navigator in Saskatoon and England before joining the war effort in Europe. After returning to Canada at the end of the war, he took up his position with the C.P.R. where he met his future wife Eileen Douthwaite. They married in 1948 and moved onto Donalda Avenue in East Kildonan where they lived for the next 17 years, raising their family. From the C.P.R., Wally moved to Manitoba Bridge, subsequently transferring to the head office of Dominion Bridge in Montreal in 1965. He, then, moved back to Manitoba in 1969 where the family resided in Selkirk and Wally worked at Manitoba Rolling Mills in several management positions. After his retirement in 1984, Wally and Eileen continued to live in Selkirk until moving to Amber Meadow retirement home in Winnipeg. Wally was active in a number of organizations, including the Masonic Lodge, the Royal Canadian Legion, Kiwanis and the Traffic and Customs Club. He enjoyed curling, golfing and cross country skiing. His summers after retirement were spent at the cottage in Spruce Bay, north of Gimli where Mom and Dad loved to have their family join them. Wally was very involved in his children's education and activities. He instilled in all of us the importance of learning and a strong work ethic. He participated in our activities, coaching several hockey teams and he enjoyed watching his grandchildren's games. The family would like to thank the staff at Middlechurch for the excellent care and compassion provided to our father over the last year and a half. The celebration of Wally's life will take place at St. Clements Anglican Church, River Road, Selkirk on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with the Venerable Godfrey Mawejje officiating. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Wally's memory to the Salvation Army, St. Clements Church or a charity of your choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 03, 2013