Albert BENN

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BENN: Albert Thomas (Ab) Benn, 1927 - 2009. With great sadness, we announce the passing of Albert Thomas Benn, age 81, on April 18, 2009, at the Misericordia Health Centre, in Winnipeg. Ab will always be remembered with love by his wife of 60 years, Mabel; his children, Bryon (Calgary), Sue Surcon (Winnipeg), Colin and his grandchildren, Lindsay and Adam, of whom he was so proud. Ab was born on October 17, 1927, in Brandon, Manitoba. In his youth, he was very active in baseball and hockey, playing goal for the Brandon Elks and the Portage Terriers. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, and loved to go skating with Mab at the Brandon Arena and the AssiniboinePark Duck Pond. They also took every opportunity to pursue their love of dancing- especially the polka! He began his electrical career in Brandon with G.T. Smith & Sons in 1941. In 1945 & 46, while furthering his hockey pursuits in Portage la Prairie, Ab worked for Dodson & Wynne Electrical; however, he found that absence really does make the heart grow fonder and he returned to Brandon to seek out his true passion - Mabel, whom he married in 1948. He continued with G.T. Smith until 1953, when he started his own company, Benn’s Electrical Contracting, which also happened to be the year that Ab & Mab welcomed their son, Bryon, followed by their daughter, Sue in 1958. In 1959, the family moved to Winnipeg, where Ab joined Manitoba Hydro. After a brief move to Steinbach with the Hydro in the early 60’s, it was back to Winnipeg where he continued his electrical career until his retirement in 1985. Ab loved tinkering around the garage and working in the backyard, especially in the garden. Those hot summer days usually ended with Ab manning the barbeque. He took great pleasure in fishing with friends and family, and taking the trailer out for summer holidays. Mab and Ab enjoyed several trips over the years before he became ill in 1996. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the staff at the Misericordia Health Centre, Grace Hospital, and Deer Lodge Centre for the compassionate care they provided Dad with over the last several years, with special thanks to Dr. W. VanHorne and Cathy Mariani at Assiniboine Clinic. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in his memory, to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, or a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service, officiated by Rev. Bill Corkum, will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.I've lost my life's companion,A life linked with my own,Day by day I’ll pray for you,As I walk through life alone.It broke my heart to lose you,but you did not go alone,for part of me went with you,the day God called you home.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 21, 2009