Sam MUSHIE

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MUSHIE: After a short illness, Sadley “Sam” Mushie passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, Brandon, Manitoba, on Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at the age of 89. Sam was born at the Village of Elphinstone, Manitoba, on April 8, 1924, and then moved with his parents to Menzie, Manitoba, in 1926. They settled in Sandy Lake, Manitoba, in 1930. Sam attended elementary and high school at Sandy Lake. During Sam’s school days and up to and including the early part of his Canadian National Railways career, he was active in sports, mainly hockey, fastball and curling. On June 3, 1943, at age 19, Sam enlisted voluntarily with the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served for 3 years as a Gun Armorer. After serving in the Second World War from June 3, 1943 to May 6, 1946, he returned home to Sandy Lake, Manitoba. Sam remained home for approximately one year after his discharge. In June, 1947, Sam was accepted through Veteran’s Affairs for a course in Telegraphy in Regina, Saskatchewan. Sam learned the Morse code and typing. It was the main means of controlling train traffic and communication in those days. He also learned the duties of a Station Agent, which included freight, express and telegraph tariffs, billing of freight and express, and accounting methods, prepared passenger tickets and sold money orders. On March 8, 1948, Sam was employed by Canadian National Railways as an Agent-Operator. Sam was very active in communities when employed by CNR, serving on executive committees with community centres and The Royal Canadian Legion. On August 9, 1952, he was married to Patricia Gingera and they were blessed with a son Gerald in 1953 and a daughter Geraldine in 1960. They raised their children in Mafeking, Manitoba, where Sam worked most of his years. After 34 years and 4 months of employment with Canadian National Railways, he chose early retirement on June 30, 1982, and settled on an acreage in the District of Bellsite, Manitoba. Sam and Pat lived there for 12 years where he enjoyed gardening, many bonfires, and the laid-back country life. In 1994 they moved to Swan River and in 1997, they moved to Brandon, Manitoba. Sam was very involved in pool playing (snooker) while in Brandon and spoke well of all his competitive friends in the A.N.A.F. club and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 3. Sam was predeceased by his mother on April 10, 1943, his only brother Zenon (Herbie) on September 28, 1982, and his father on March 21, 1983. Left to mourn are his loving wife of 60 years of marriage, Patricia; son Gerald (Kelly Anderson) of Souris, MB, grandson Dean (Janna), great grandchildren Cayman, Morgan and Hayden of Nesbitt, MB, granddaughter Karlee of Calgary, Alberta; daughter Geraldine (Jason) Moffatt of Douglas, MB, granddaughters Ashley of Morden, MB and Jenna of Douglas, MB; nephew Kevin Mushie of Port Colborne great nephew Brandon great niece Kelsie; niece Ginny & Rich Tisdale, great nephew Cameron (Hamilton, ON); as well as his in-laws and their families – Mary & Jerry Ernest (Thompson, MB), Sally Duncalfe (The Pas, MB), Marlene & Carl Gingera (Snow Lake, MB), and Sharon Gingera (Dauphin, MB). Special thanks to the wonderful nursing staff from Palliative Care - Brandon Regional Health Centre, Dr. Moller (Cancer Care), Dr. DeWet, Dr. Ramaya, Dr. Duncan, Arlene and We-Care staff. Thank you also to the Royal Canadian Legion- Branch #3 Honor Guards for their attendance. A private family service honouring Sam took place on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at Memories Chapel. Reverend Barb Jardine officiated. Interment followed in the Veterans Section of the Brandon Cemetery. Urnbearers were Sam’s grandson, Dean, and granddaughters, Ashley, Karlee and Jenna - who Sam loved with all his heart. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Sam may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation – Palliative Care, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 2B3. Sam’s final quote, with his remarkable sense of humor, in his very own prepared obituary,“Goodbye all, until we meet again, if there is such a thing to look forward to!”Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 10, 2013