SYDNEY JOHN PARSONS

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SYDNEY JOHN PARSONS March 23, 1925 - December 17, 2015 Syd passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 17, 2015, with family by his side. Predeceased by his loving wife, Betty, he will be sadly missed by his children, Carol Stockwell (Daniel), Shelley Cook (Ron), Nancy Rogers (George), John (Shannon), Susan McLean (Van), his grandchildren, Claire, Kevin, Heidi (Rob), Becky, Sarah, Kate (Mika), Connie (Terry), Jennifer (Steve), Heather, Grant, Megan, Reef, Sydney, and Skyler, his nine great-grandchildren, and his sister, Nora. Born in Winnipeg, the youngest of four children, he grew up in Fort Garry. With Betty, the love of his life, they enjoyed 57 years of marriage. Starting at an early age, Syd spent his summers camping and fishing in the Whiteshell. His love of the outdoors lead to the purchase of the family cottage at Falcon Lake. The cottage was always filled with family and friends. He loved to take everyone water skiing, fishing, snorkeling and canoeing, ending the day with a hearty barbeque. Syd attended Earl Grey School and Kelvin High School, served with the R.C.A.F. and the Canadian Army during the Second World War, and graduated from University of Manitoba in 1950. He joined Dunwoody & Co. to complete his Chartered Accountancy designation. His entrepreneurial spirit, lead him to his first business foray securing a number of northern construction contracts as a general contractor. He later joined Huggard Equipment Co. Ltd. and acquired the company in 1963. He continued as owner and President of the company until its sale in 1980. During those years he also served as President of the Canadian Association of Equipment Distributors, the Manitoba Division. In addition, in 1972, he became Chairman of the Manitoba Development Corporation and served in that capacity until December, 1979. In 1980, he started Par Equipment and Par Leasing, retiring in 1991. Syd was very community minded, giving of his time initially coaching at the local community club and driving his children to many activities. This lead to a lifetime of volunteerism that culminated in a devotion to supporting the programs of the Shriners Hospital for Sick Children, in particular the Burn Unit and connecting widows to services of the Last Post Fund. He served as President of the Fort Garry Community Club and Granite Curling Club. He also served on the boards of the Wildwood Club, Shriners Hospital and Golf Superintendents Association. He was a long-time member of the Fort Rouge Legion, the Manitoba Club, Chamber of Commerce, West Winnipeg Rotary Club, Oak Hammock Marsh, Fort Whyte Centre and YMCA Business Men's Club. He was very involved in the Masons and was a Charter Member of Gateway Lodge #171. He became a Shriner in 1961, joining the Khartum Temple Drum and Bugle Corps and served as President. He later joined the Divan and became the Potentate of Khartum Temple in 1980. Syd and Betty travelled extensively with the Shrine and on personal holidays around the world. They had an active social life, were long time Bomber season ticket holders and curlers at the Granite. Syd was an avid golfer, enjoyed playing cards, snooker, music and dancing. Family dinners at the Parsons were filled with joy and laughter, which the grandchildren still speak fondly of. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the nursing staff of Tower 3 and Tower 7 at Deer Lodge Centre for their care and compassion. A celebration of Syd's life will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Thomson "In the Park". In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Winnipeg Foundation to the Sydney J. Parsons Fund to help send children to camp. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 22, 2015