Elwood SPEARMAN

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SPEARMAN: Elwood James (Woody). Dr. E.J . "Woody" Spearman, beloved husband of Josie, of Brandon, MB, formerly of Killarney, MB passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the age of 91 years. Woody leaves to mourn his passing his wife Josie (nee Trottier), of Brandon, MB, daughters Laurie (Gerald) Bartley of Killarney, MB, Joni Shaw (Jim MacAulay) of Cochrane, AB, son Dean (Maureen) of Winnipeg, MB, grandchildren Kristin (Geoff), Amanda (Bob), Tara, Jenna, Evan and Claire, and great-grandchildren Finlee, Preslie and Harlan. Also left to mourn Woody's passing are sister Doreen Trottier, brother -in-law Freddy (Karen) Trottier and stepchildren Joanne McCabe, Gloria (Kelly) Keeling, Terry (Susan) Gunnlaugson and Daneta (Hartley) Marr, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends. Woody was predeceased by his first wife, Marian (nee Lee), parents Herb and Edith (nee Vanderburgh), sisters Hazel (Gordon) Gardiner and Evelyn (Lyle) Robinson, brother Harold (Edith) and brother-in-law Albert Trottier. He grew up on the family farm, attended Goudney School, and took grades 2 through 12 at Crystal City. The 1930’s were a difficult time for farmers but there was always time for music in the Spearman home. Indeed, all of the family were musical. Woody played the guitar until a hand injury made this difficult and then he took up the saxophone. Together with his brother Harold he enjoyed playing for dances with the Crystal Ramblers and had many stories centered around getting to and from these dances in questionable cars, over even more questionable roads, with uncertain amounts of gas. In 1942 he joined the RCAF and served in England as an aero-engineer mechanic working on Lancaster bombers with the 405 Pathfinder Squadron. In addition, he helped to drop food packages over Holland and, with the end of the war in Europe, he volunteered to serve in the Pacific. The war ended while he was in Halifax enroute to the Pacific and he was discharged in 1945. After the war he spent time in Winnipeg upgrading his education. It was here he met Marian Lee, of Rivers, Manitoba. They were married on May 30, 1947. He was accepted to the College of Optometry in Toronto, Ontario. While he was studying Optometry they supported themselves with Woody taking on a succession of odd jobs including car washing, and pumping gas, and Marian making it possible to make ends meet with her income as a proof reader for the Toronto Star. Following graduation in 1949, Woody interned in Winnipeg for a year and then he and Marian moved to Killarney and set up practice where Marian assisted him as both receptionist and bookkeeper. He was joined in his practice by Dr. Keith Letts in 1970 and they practiced together until Woody retired in 1994. His daughter Laurie has worked in the practice as an Optometric Assistant since 1970. He retired from optometry in 1994. In the late 1970’s and 1980’s Marian and Woody enjoyed their time together with trips to Hawaii. After 44 loving years and a lengthy illness, Marian passed away in 1991. In 1993 Woody married Josie Gunnlaugson, and they enjoyed spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona. Family was always important and many family gatherings, reunions, birthdays and get togethers were an important part of his and Josie’s life. In 2000 they moved to the Lion’s Manor in Brandon, Manitoba and continued to spend time in Killarney with a trailer at Killarney Lake. He was very active in the profession of Optometry not only serving the needs of Killarney and area but also serving the profession. He was President of the Manitoba Optometric Society from 1963-64, and President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists from 1969-71. He served on the Canadian Association’s council from 1963-71 and was granted a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometrists in 1969. During this period he and his close friend, Dr. Roy Brown of Virden, were involved in obtaining the Doctor title for optometrists practicing in Manitoba, and arranging for medicare coverage of optometric services. These accomplishments, and the offices noted above required a constant dedication to the effort and much time was spent away from home and out of the office. While his practice was founded upon the traditional optometric services he came to develop a special expertise in treating children with learning disabilities and dedicated a large part of his practice to provide these services beginning in the late sixties and continuing through to the nineteen eighties. He was honored by his fellow optometrists with the Optometrist of the Year award in 1977, the Canadian Association of Optometrists President’s Award in 1981, the Manitoba Department of Health Award in 1971, a Doctor of Optometry Degree from the University of Waterloo in 1987, and in 2009 an honorary life membership in the Manitoba Association of Optometrists. Woody also made many contributions to the community. He was an active member in the Masonic Lodge and the Killarney Legion. Together with Marian he acted as adult advisor to the Komet Teen Club during the 1950’s and 1960’s and maintained a connection with many former teen club members throughout his life. They were also volunteers with Child and Family services for many years. Woody served both as a board member and as chair of the Tri-Lake Health District for many years. This was the time when the aging hospital in Killarney was closed and the new Tri-Lake Hospital was constructed. Many days were spent in the company of the Administrator and other board members traveling to and from Winnipeg for meetings both lobbying for a new hospital, and providing input during the design and construction. Woody also served on the board of the Royal Manor Seniors Home during the planning and construction phases of the Manor and for a time afterwards. When Woody left for Toronto in the late 40‘s he set aside his saxophone and didn’t pick it up again until the late 1970‘s when the Crystal Ramblers reunited. This reawakened in him his love for music and he spent much of his free time from then on playing for dances and other events or just playing. In his retirement he took up the clarinet as a second instrument. Woody felt fortunate to have had a long retirement when he could enjoy the time spent with Josie, their extended families and grandchildren. He had many fond memories of family, of the depression years when times were hard, but he was still able to have fun playing the guitar and later the sax with the Ramblers, the Royal Canadians, the Syncopators and many other bands. Woody had a long, loving and fulfilling life. He made many contributions to his profession, to his patients, to his community, his country, and to his family. He has made the world better by his presence and will be greatly missed and remembered by many. A Celebration of Woody's life was held on Saturday, August 17, 2013 in the Killarney United Church, with Rev. Maria Szabo Berces officiating. Private family interment took place in Killarney Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Woody's memory to the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, 350 St. Mary Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3C 3J2. Online condolences may be made at www.willmorchapel.comJamieson's Funeral Service of Glenboro, MB in care of arrangements. (204)827-2480.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 24, 2013