WILLIAM FRANCIS TOUGH

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WILLIAM (BILL) FRANCIS TOUGH September 3, 1924 - July 2, 2015 Bill passed away on July 2, 2015 at the Riverview Health Centre, with his daughters by his side, after a lengthy struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife Bernice (Bunny), his parents Frank and Eleanor Tough, and his four younger brothers, Don, Les, Art and Bob. He is survived by children: Frank (Amy Lam) of Edmonton, Elizabeth (George) Caragannis of Edmonton and Lesley (Roman Kozak) of Winnipeg, and grandchildren: Lesley (Dave Sandl), Phillip (Lauren) and Bethie (Scotty Korotash). Born in Winnipeg, he had a happy childhood despite the deprivations of the Great Depression. He and his brothers experimented with explosives and somehow survived rafting on the Red River on a homemade craft. He left school at the age of 16 to work for the Canadian National Telegraph Company to help his family out. There, he began by delivering telegrams by bicycle in the winter and summer for three cents a telegram. At 17 Dad joined the Royal Canadian Volunteer Navy and after training in Toronto and then at the signals school in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, he became a telegrapher for the Royal Canadian Navy. Dad never forgot the Morse code. He was briefly stationed in Halifax before he was on the crews of the HMCS Lockport, HMS Lightfoot, HMS Malaya, and his favourite, a Flower class corvette called the HMCS Mimico. Dad participated in Operation Neptune and then Operation Pluto aboard the Mimico and was a gunner on the ship for D-Day. After the European war ended, he volunteered for the Pacific, but the Americans dropped atomic bombs on Japan before he reached the west coast where he was reassigned to refit the telegraphy office of the HMCS Waskesiu for tropical missions. Dad returned to CN after the war and worked there in various capacities for 48 years, retiring in June, 1988, although without a rail pass. He was a proud and dedicated trade unionist. He was legislated back to work several times and with the big rail strike of 1950, he never gave any credence to the corporate claim that the 40-hour week would bankrupt the country. On account of the strength of his unions, his children had opportunities he never did. Dad preferred walking, never owning a car, and marched with Councillor Zuken against the closing of Portage and Main to pedestrians. He was a strong believer in social justice and equal rights. Throughout life, Dad was fascinated by the universe, outer space and UFOs. He married Mom in 1951 and was a loving husband and father, always kind and devoted himself to his family. His fascination with explosives lived on and he set off fireworks every Victoria Day, ostensibly for the children. He also took care of us when Mom worked, and on payday there was Tahiti Treat and Chip Night. Dad read widely and valued education, as one would who did not have such opportunities. He was tremendously proud of his children's academic and professional achievements. His family appreciated his quick wit. He loved all animals and considered many to be close friends but chief was Mike (1966 to 1976) with whom he had many adventures on the banks of the Red River. Dad always believed that all animals had souls. Dad was a major influence in Bethie's life and was extremely proud to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. He loved to hear granddaughter Lesley's tales about her menagerie during her many phone calls and visits. He was proud of Phillip and his accomplishments in the restaurant business and enjoyed Phillip's visit shortly before he died. Foster daughter Anita remained in his heart all his life. Frank and Lesley wish to thank Elizabeth for her complete devotion to Dad's care in the last six months of his life. The family is grateful to all of the kind caregivers from Manitoba Home Care, Palliative Care, St. Boniface Hospital, Riverview Health Centre and Comforts of Home. Dad had detailed memories of everything that happened to him from the age of two and his descendents know many of his stories verbatim. He is much loved and will be profoundly missed and he will live on through his stories. Cremation has taken place, and the family is planning a memorial service which is to take place on the Labour Day long weekend. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2015