ALBERT ANTHONY GEURTS

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ALBERT ANTHONY GEURTS It is with great sadness that our family says goodbye to our wonderful father Albert Anthony Geurts, husband, grandfather, great- grandfather and uncle at the age of 97 on Monday, December 15, 2014 at the Betel Home in Selkirk. Dad was born In Swolgen, Holland in 1917, and immigrated to Canada in 1929 at 12 years old where his family settled in Plumas, MB. Dad was the second oldest of nine children and grew up on a farm in Plumas. He worked on the farm and in his spare time he taught himself to box. He was 18 years old when he left to work in the gold mine San Antonio in Bissett, MB. Dad met our mom, Marie Overwater, the love of his life, and they married in 1942. Their first two children Adelaide and Marie were born in Bissett, MB. While living in Bissett in his spare time Dad started boxing, and would box the other miners in town on their days off. He loved his boxing. In 1946 Dad and Mom moved to St. Andrew's, MB and began to farm. On that farm Dad and Mom had nine more children, in total three sons and eight daughters. Dad and Mom struggled and worked hard all their lives on the farm to provide for the 11 children they would raise. Dad grew grain mostly, raised a few barn animals and chickens to feed his family. Dad loved his children and spent as much time as he could to teach us his favourite hobbies on how to fish, box, or play baseball. He loved watching boxing, wrestling at an event or on TV. One of his favourite things he really loved to do was arm wrestle and challenge his children, grandchildren and whoever was up for the challenge of beating him. He became Manitoba arm wrestling champion in 1986 in the age category over 45. Even up until his final days we could squeeze a little arm wrestle out of him. Dad also took up carpentry and was employed by the previous owner of Overland truck campers. Not long after that St. Andrew's Airport moved across the road where he became employed as one of the first maintenance workers up until his retirement. Over the years employed there, he made quite a few good friends. Dad was a very sociable person and loved having company over, meeting new people and was always interested in their lives. Dad also cared very much about the sick, who he would often visit so they would have company and not be alone. Dad also loved social functions, and loved to dance. He would often come over and ask one of his many daughters to dance with him. He loved to fish and in his later years when it was difficult for him to get into the lakes his sons would take him into the lakes. Dad loved his music and enjoyed listening to his family and grandchildren who would often come over and play for him and mom Sunday evenings. He also played the accordion alongside our Mom. Dad and Mom were married 68 years. Their love and devotion for each other was strong. Dad was a loving dad and was so proud of his family, that the family picture of all his children hung on his wall at home and over his bed in the nursing home, no one would dare move it. He was always very proud and happy to show it to visitors. Besides loving his children so much his grandchildren and great- grandchildren were also a big part of his life. Every time a new child would be born in the family he would have to hold the baby and try and make he or she smile. Even up until his death having one of the grandchildren visit would always bring a smile to his face. Dad's faith and devotion to God was always present. He was a strong believer in the Catholic faith where he and Mom along with all their children would attend Mass every Sunday morning at St. Theresa Church. He was a very active parishioner, was one of the early founders of St. Theresa's Church, sang in the choir, became a Knights of Columbus which he was very proud to be, visited the sick or whatever he could do to help out that had to be done. Dad and Mom would take all of their children to mass every Sunday morning and to every other special occasion at the church. We didn't have much growing up but Dad taught us the important values in life, love, which made us the strong and very close family we are. Dad loved his Sundays, spending time with his children and grandchildren. When we all would come home to visit, he would put out extra chairs and make sure we all had a place to sit and something to eat. You could often pop over on a Sunday afternoon on a hot summer day where Dad and Mom would be sitting on the patio waiting for someone to stop by and visit with them. He always had interesting discussions, bits of helpful info and usually had a story or two from his life experience to tell his children and grandchildren. Dad remained on the farm until he was 93 years old and then moved to the Betel Nursing Home. He leaves us many cherished memories of his love and generosity, and we will all miss him. Dad loved and left behind his children: daughters Marie (Joe) Adelaide (Greg), Elizabeth (Ed) Ida (Dennis) Lucille (Greg) Linda (Wayne) Elaine (Roy) Joanne (Greg) and sons Albert Jr. (Tricia), Martin (Joanne) Robert (Laurette). Dad leaves 32 grandchildren Cheryl, Richard, Nichole, Sandra, Allen, Amanda, Jackie, Dawn, Jamie, Matthew, Mark, Brent, Chad, Jason, Jill, Jennifer, Jeremy, Tyler, Madison, Jeff, Amber, Samantha, Sarah, Rebekah, Adam, Dylan, Erica, Gregory, Jonathan, Ellyne, Emma, Nathan. Dad also leaves 33 great-grandchildren: Danielle, Kristine, Darryl, Melissa, Mitchell, Nicholas, Mackenzie, Hailey, Hanna, Alexandria, Zachery, Keenan, Jamison, Juliet, Claire, Oscar, Penelope, Gabrielle, Ireland, Sawyer, Brooklynn, Hayden, Luc, Hudson, Lyla, Easton, Drake, Kayden, Coen, Piper, Eric, Ava and Issac. Dad is also survived by his sisters, Marcy, Mary and Martha and numerous nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his brothers, Martin, Marcel, and Henri, his sisters Antoinette and Adelaide also his sons-in-law Joe Willard, Greg Gilbert, great-granddaughter Miranda and brothers and sisters-in-law. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Betel Home, Dr. Demas and the nursing staff for the time and attention shown to our Dad and his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, 3597 Main St. Interment will be in St. Margaret's Cemetery, Little Britain, MB. Dad's pallbearers will be all his grandchildren. If friends and family so desire donations can be made to the Homeless Shelter, St. Francis Place, 202 Christie Ave., Selkirk MB R1A 0V9. 204-586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2014