Thomas BEAM

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BEAM: Thomas "Tom" Charles, husband of the late Frances Beam passed away at the Assiniboine Centre on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at the age of 87. Dad was born on the family homestead farm in Oakville, Manitoba on March 16, 1927 – the youngest child of William & Alice (Sedgley) Beam. Tom was predeceased by his parents, his wife Frances, son Gerry, brothers Bill & Ron. He is survived by his sister Elsie, sons Rick (Gwen), Ed (Karen), and daughter-in-law Lizanne, grandchildren: Richard (Alison), Angela (Blair) Charlton, Michael (Samara), Jennifer Beam (Jason Andries), Megan (Jason) Goudie, Robin (Rejean) Tetrault, Robert, John, Natasha and Jeremy, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Tom married Frances Melvin (McCrae) on August 18, 1979 adding a stepdaughter Georgina (Edwin) Kimber and a stepson Jim (Evelyn) Melvin as well as step-grandchildren: Genene (Rob), Norma Kimber; Mathurin, Gaelan & Morgan Melvin; and Gerry’s step-children: Tyler (Michelle) & Amanda Blakley. He loved the farm, developing a life-long love of animals while working with the farm animals, especially with horses. Tom left the farm when he was a young man and worked several jobs: setting telegraph poles in Ontario along the rail track; for the B & B on the CNR which brought him to Brandon in 1948 to work in the CNR maintenance yard; the Brandon Armories Canteen while he was in the Reserve Army; General Bakeries and later McGavins; and for the City of Brandon as the Animal Control Officer. Tom enjoyed his job with the bakeries delivering bread, meeting lots of people and making lots of new friends – especially while delivering bread in the East End and Green Acres areas. He also enjoyed his position as Animal Control Officer and had lots of interesting and adventurous days where he learned “how-to” and “hands-on” along with his working canine companions – Maya, Mini, Princess and Cleo. Tom participated in sports: curling with the CNR team in the Wheat City Curling Club, bowling in the men’s league at Thunderbird Bowling Alley, and curling with Frances at BMHC in various bonspiels. They had many great times and made many friends. In later years, Tom and Frances enjoyed travelling abroad. In the 1980’s, he got a fur buyer’s license from Conservation and started buying fur, and learned, from Dominion Sudack, how to grade the furs. He met and enjoyed the company of First Nations, Metis and many others who trapped and hunted. Tom took Rick, Ed and Gerry fishing and camping in many places in Manitoba when they were young. Over the years he found time to go fishing with his sons, grandsons, granddaughters and friends known as the “Fish 4 Ever” group on the Assiniboine River. There were a lot of good times and stories to tell! The Funeral Ceremony took place at St. George’s Anglican Church on Monday, December 8, 2014 with the Rev. Fr. Chad McCharles officiating. Interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery. Friends who wish may make a donation in Tom’s memory to the Brandon Humane Society 2200 – 17th Street East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 7M6 or to a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.Dad, Rest in Peace, See you on the river!

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 16, 2014