KELVIN CHISOLM MACTIER

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KELVIN CHISOLM MACTIER It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Kelvin Chisolm (Kelly) Mactier on January 22, 2014 at the age of 93 years. Kelvin passed away peacefully at Grace Hospice in Winnipeg, Manitoba following a brief illness. Kelvin was born and raised on the family farm in Binscarth, Manitoba on November 22, 1920 and was the last surviving of ten children. He was predeceased in 2010 by his wife of 61 years Jean (nee Eugenia Kobishyn). He was also predeceased by his parents Anthony and Elizabeth (nee Lowe) Mactier; brothers Allan, David, Malcolm, Colin and Glen; and sisters Margaret (Hunt), Christine (Murray), Inez (McDougall) and Ida (McCaig); and nephews Malcolm and Benjamin Murray, Warren Mactier and Donald Mactier. Kelly is survived by brother-in-law Dugald McCaig, fifteen nieces and nephews and their families with special mention of Brenda Murray (who was a favourite) and very good friends Patrick Brett, Mark Sagert, Miriam Dela Cruz and Shirley Prefontaine all of whom were very close to and watched over Kelly (and Jean) in his latter years. Kelly was a Second World War veteran and served proudly with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles signing up to defend his country in June 1940. He was one of the first Canadians taken down by a snipers bullet to his face 20 feet up on Juno Beach in the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He lay semi-conscious on the beach for twelve hours and crawled back on his elbows to his landing craft where he was lifted back in by his comrades. He was taken back to England to recuperate and three months later he rejoined his group until V-E Day May 8, 1945. After the war, on return to Canada, Kelly took up the electrical trade in Binscarth. His work eventually led him to Winnipeg where he met and married the sweetheart of his life Jean on August 15, 1949. Kelly worked in his trade and retired from the trade after a twenty five year career as the Chief Electrician at the Centennial Concert Hall. Kelvin and Jean were well known in their Fort Rouge neighbourhood. If you needed anything fixed electrical or not you called Kelly and he would make it work. It was said that "if Kelly Mactier couldn't fix it, it couldn't be fixed." The Mactier home on Balfour was always a welcome place and many relatives and friends were hosted there with never a complaint about the extra company and Kelly and Jean were always gracious hosts. Family and Friends thank the staff at WRHA Palliative Care, Victoria Hospital and particularly Grace Hospice for their care of Kelly during his final Illness. A Service of Remembrance will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27 at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home 1291 McGillivray Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba. If friends so desire, Memorial Contributions may be made to The Canadian Cancer Society or a Charity of one's choice. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 25, 2014