MELVIN GARY FRIESEN

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MELVIN GARY FRIESEN December 4, 1940 - November 24, 2014 Quietly, a few days short of his 74th birthday, Gary Friesen passed away at the Salem Home in Winkler, MB on Monday, November 24, 2014. He is survived by his brothers Ronald (Gail) and Sheldon as well as many relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father Abram Friesen in 1997 and mother Hilda Friesen (nee Penner) in 2000. Because he was born with a cerebral palsy disability, Gary's life was very different from yours and mine. He didn't run and play, go to school, attend university, pursue a career, marry or have a family. Instead, he spent all his life at home until 1988 when he entered Salem. But he still had a life and he pursued it with an amazing zeal. He wrote stories on a typewriter, using one able finger. He was passionate about music and collected dozens of self-recorded cassette tapes of classical music broadcast over the radio. He worked for many years at the sheltered workshop for the disabled in Winkler with the same dedication and determination as any professional would have. Later, when he was presented with a computer, Gary showed a mindset for computers which not many people have, and he spent many hours exploring the wonders of the Internet, showing a particular interest in the bells and whistles which the system had to offer. Gary may have been disabled but he was far from helpless. He loved children and was a magnet for little kids wherever he went. He drew people to him in a way few do. Gary was a favourite with staff and residents at Salem and they miss him very much. But while we mourn his loss, we also rejoice because he now walks freely for the first time. The family expresses its sincere and deep thanks to the staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre who treated Gary during his final months, the members of Covenant Mennonite Church in Winkler who supported and upheld him and especially the staff of Salem Home who showed Gary incredible care and compassion, particularly during his final days. Viewing will be from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday at Wiebe Funeral Home in Winkler. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 29, 1:00 p.m. at Wiebe Funeral Home, 121 8th Street, Winkler with interment at Westridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary's memory to the Salem Foundation, 165 15th Street, Winkler, MB R6W 1T8 and/or Covenant Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 29, Winkler, MB R6W 4A4. Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler In care of arrangements, 204-325-4201 wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 27, 2014