Malcolm SHIELS

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SHIELS: Malcolm Allan Kennedy Shiels, June 21st, 1947 - September 27th, 2012. Malcolm, beloved husband of Brenda, loving father and grandfather passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the age of 65, after a very brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Brenda, sons Scott (Crystal), Tyler (Lisa) and grandchildren Shaelynn, Brandon, Alexis, Drew and Brynne. Sister Karen, brother Gerry (Kim), nephews Dallas and Malcolm. He was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Eva Shiels and his in-laws, Jack and Honey Chapman. Malcolm was born in Hartney, Manitoba, June 21, 1947. He spent his early school years in Roseland south of Brandon before going to high school in Brandon and Killarney. During those years, he excelled in curling and golf and spent most weekends in curling rinks or golf courses; sports which he still did and enjoyed. In 1969, he married Brenda Chapman from Killarney. They raised two sons, Scott (1971) and Tyler (1974). After the boys got to hockey age, Malcolm gave up his sports a bit to coach and manage baseball and hockey. The boys kept him busy also hunting, boating, golfing and curling. They all enjoyed the many years Mal spent doing things with their friends; the house was always full of extras! Malcolm was an avid hunter from the time he was a young boy; helping his Dad shoot a deer for food for winter. He always believed the first day of deer hunting was a day off of school. Because there were things in life you had to learn besides school work. The freezers were always full. Because he was such a lover of bird hunting, he bought himself the “ultimate hunting companion” - Suni. Suni will be waiting to go hunting with Mal in heaven. They raised registered Golden Retrievers for 15 years; making “Suni and Cher” parents to 39 puppies. Malcolm was very community minded; Golf Course, Curling Club, Senior Hockey, Minor Hockey, Legion and Ducks Unlimited. 10 years ago, Malcolm and Brenda purchased 14 acres of lakeshore property on Pelican Lake. Five years ago they started a little resort “Shiels Shores” selling 9 lake lots, to share some of what they called a “little piece of heaven on earth”. They spent hours touring the lake on their pontoon boat or pulling their grandkids behind on the tube. Barbecuing bacon and eggs on the beach Sunday morning was Mal’s favorite. Also watching his two grandsons cruising on his new Gator round and round made Malcolm happy. He was so proud of his grandkids, being called “Grampa” or “Grampy” was so special to him. Brandon and Drew both carry on Grandpa’s name. Malcolm was a salesman all his life starting at age 17, traveling to North Saskatchewan sending his paycheques home to help his parents. He sold everything from McKenzie Seed to GM vehicles (Chapman’s) to Case Farm Machinery to John Deere equipment. He had the gift of the gab which both his sons inherited. Malcolm and Brenda had traveled some, Hawaii (2), Mexico, Texas, and Arizona but had hoped to do some more in their retirement years. Five years ago they bought a small yard care business thinking of retirement in the near future. The small business turned into big business, “Suni-Daze Lawn Care”, buying new and bigger equipment and needing to hire help. Last year, Tyler decided to buy into the business and do his carpentry in the winter months, now under the name “Suni-Daze Ltd.”. Unfortunately, Malcolm was not able to carry on with Tyler for very long. He turned 65 in June, celebrated with a big barbeque at the lake, July 1st and shortly after started his toughest battle in life. In late July, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He said, “It’s been a good life, only too short”. Two months and one day later, he was gone. Shock and sorrow overwhelmed us. Our loving, gentle, husband, father and grampa was no longer here where we could tell him how much we loved him. Thank you to everyone who came on October 4th to the Shamrock Center to celebrate the life of our great guy. Musical tributes, “Amazing Grace” by Jackie Keyes and “Old Shep” by Sami Ghawi, special friends of the family. The Euolgy was given by sons Scott and Tyler, Hunters Prayer and Lords Prayer by Lisa Shiels. Good bye from the grandkids was given by the oldest Shaelynn. A slide show of Malcolm’s life then some stories by the Rankin family, Larry, Jamie and Shayne, and Judy Helperl, concluded the afternoon. Pallbearers were Don Richardson, Ray Reidle, Larry Rankin, John Kennedy, Allan Mitchell, Gord Riddell and Steve Nichol. Honorary Pallbearers were Judy Helperl and Wayne King, Barb & Gord Nichol, Bud & Orma Graham, Jack & Sharon Folkett, Sandy & Murray Wooldridge, Brian & Lori Cuvelier. Donations in memory of Malcolm may be made to “The Splash Park Fund” c/o Town of Killarney, Box 10, Killarney, Manitoba, R0K 1G0.“Live everyday with the oneyou love like it were your last”.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 26, 2012