KENNETH L. MATHISON

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KENNETH L. MATHISON January 4, 1927 - August 1, 2017 It is with mixed emotions that the family of Kenneth L. Mathison announces his passing, in Winnipeg, on August 1, 2017, at the age of 90. While his family and friends are dealing with the enormity of the loss, they are comforted by the fact that, like everything else in his life, Ken's life ended his way, on his terms. "Gramps", as he was affectionately known, had become very frail in the last few weeks, unable to make his early morning workout at the St. Vital YMCA, something he had done for decades. His lost mobility and the recognition that circumstances were unlikely to improve seemed to drain his indomitable spirit. He seemed to have a sense that things were deteriorating and did his very best to get in a last tour of all the things he loved. In the last few months, he travelled to Palm Springs, to his favourite Ranch in the foothills of the Rockies, to Toniata Beach and to Calgary for the Stampede, where he was a fixture at the Rodeo, Chuckwagon Races and Cow Horse events. He was able to see his many friends and attend to his usual frenetic schedule of events, but confided to his closest friends that this would be his last Stampede. Satisfied that he had completed a final tour, and resigned to the fact that he was "wearing out", he quietly slipped away in his sleep in the early hours of August 1, in his bed, in his own home, at peace in his 91st year. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends and, particularly so, by the many friends for whom he had become a constant presence at the annual Stampede events he so loved and the many he enjoyed time with at Toniata Beach. Grandpa was one of that dying breed, a child of the Great Depression and Second World War. Like many of his generation, in his early years he experienced the worst of the Depression on the Canadian prairies and those experiences left an indelible mark. He served in the Army Reserve during the Second World War and, while he was too young to deploy, many friends and family members did so and many did not return. He took his first job during the summer when he was just six years old, working on neighbouring farms, and he started driving the Town of Gleichen school bus when he was only 12. About this time, he commenced his career at the now famous butcher shop owned by the Haskayne family in Gleichen, Alberta. It was there that he learned the trade and, through his many life experiences there, developed the character traits that came to define him over the years: hard work, honesty, plain language and a concern for one's neighbours and others. At the age of 15, he took it upon himself to add to the family home so that it could better accommodate his family, which included seven brothers and sisters. He did so with his older brother, Pudge - they completed every aspect of the job, including digging the sewer line and connecting it to the Town system, on their own. Even though Ken achieved only a Grade 8 education, he was an accomplished carpenter, plumber, electrician, and machinist. But his most defining career skill was as a butcher. After learning the trade from his mentor and friend Mr. Haskayne (senior) in his family-owned shop, at age 15, Ken left and commenced his career at Burns Foods, rising to Plant Superintendent and then to Mechanical Superintendent. He retired from Burns after 50 years of service, when he was 65. Ken was an aficionado of any sport and a fanatic about curling and this passion continued throughout his life. He spent his retirement years caring for his daughter Cheryl, with whom he shared a special bond. He also completed innumerable construction projects for his children and many friends. He will long be remembered for his leadership, which he demonstrated by example, and for his uncompromising principles. His word was his bond and his many insightful sayings continue to guide us today. Grandpa was predeceased by his wife Theresa in 1996. He had decided that he would spend eternity with her and, when she died, he made arrangements to do just that when his time came. He will be interred beside her in the plot he prepared for the two of them when she passed away so many years ago. He is survived by his brother Allan (Grace), sister Anne ("Sis") Fisher-Warner (Gordon), brothers-in-law Ken and Jack Cush, sister-in-law Alice Cush, children Ron, Karen, Linda Davidson (Ian) and Cheryl, grandchildren Mark and Kenyon Davidson, Lucas, Megan and Anna Kathleen Mathison, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank his physician Dr. Casey Woo for his dedicated and devoted care and service. The family would also like to thank his caregivers, Jacquelene and Carlina and, especially, Belinda, with whom he had a special connection and with whom he enjoyed many family trips and other adventures. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 9 at 2:30 p.m. at the Edward J. Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald St., Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make a donation in Ken's memory to Pulford Community Living Services Inc. (www.pulford.ca). E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 05, 2017