Tag: Al

Frederick Alvin “Al” Macatavish

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July 5, 1940 – August 29, 2024

On August 29th, 2024, with his family at his side, Al left us peacefully.  Al’s wife Cathy was his best friend.  They shared many years of love and happiness.  Al will be greatly missed by their family, Tanis (Paul) and Derek (Brittany)

“Papa Al” will remain always in the memories of grandkids Jayme, Nolan and little Kenzie, just 2 months old. How he loved to share in the kids achievements in both academics and in sport … his support will go with them always. 

Al treasured the family time he shared with is his Cousin Alma Acheson and her son Bill.   Alma, named after Al’s mother, looked up to Al as she would a big brother, she will miss him greatly. 

Home and family were so important to Al – he cherished the beautiful home he built in Springfield, much of it with his own hands. He loved to remember sharing that major “building” achievement with his Uncle Nicki.  He never wanted to live anywhere else, and managed to stay in his house till just a few weeks before his passing.

His life with Cathy was filled with “family” activities … Tanis and Derek benefited greatly from Al’s guidance, love and encouragement.  Derek posted immediately after his passing: “I was so fortunate to have Al there as a father figure in my life, he was always there for our family.” Tanis echoed her brother’s thoughts expressing her gratefulness to Al for his love and support.

Al’s love of his pets has to be mentioned. Every dog and cat Cathy and the kids brought home was welcomed by Al.  Feeding time was one of his favourite times. We wonder now how many miles he walked in his lifetime, with a dog, or two (or three) at his side.

Al was the only child of Fred and Alma (nee Shenkarchuk).  He grew up on Munroe Avenue in East Kildonan, graduating from Miles Macdonnell Collegiate.  He was born to achieve in all he did, and he did so with honours.  He earned his Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manitoba. He loved to tell anyone listening that he wrote his final Engineering exam on Friday and started work at Manitoba Hydro on Monday!  He worked there for his entire career, retiring as Vice President of Transmission and Distribution. During his working years with Hydro, he continued his education, earning his MBA, again from the University of Manitoba. 

Letters and cards received at his retirement told us all who Al was to anyone who knew him. So many wonderful words referring to his “distinguished” career, to the quality of his friendship and dedication to all he did. So many thanks for his support and friendship from so many.

After his retirement from Manitoba Hydro in 2000, Al was asked to join the board of Sask Power and enjoyed serving for a number of years.   

Al loved and respected sports, giving many hours, days and months to his most loved sports … curling and golf.

Here is a summary of his sports achievement:

Curling:
*Honorary Life Member and President of Elmwood Curling Club
*President of the Manitoba Curling Association
*Chairman of Winnipeg World ’91 Curling Championship
*2 time winning team member of the Charleswood Car Bonspiel (1964 & 1970)
*Named “Curling Executive of the Year” (1991)
*Inductee:  Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame

Golf:
*Honorary Life Member and Past President of Elmhurst Golf Club
*Chairman, Re-Building Committee – Elmhurst Clubhouse that had been destroyed by fire in the early 70s
*President of Golf Manitoba
*President of Royal Canadian Golf Association – 1997
*Delegate to World Amateur Golf Council – 1997 to 1999
*Inductee:  Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame – Builder/Golf 2006

Family, Home, Community, Sports … you left us with so much Al.  We will remember the wonderful man you were.  “Love You”

In Lieu of flowers, Al’s family will be grateful for any donation to Cancer Care Manitoba and to the Winnipeg Humane Society.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences to Al’s memorial page using the comment field below.

Allison Michie Ledingham

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March 11, 2023 a heart stopped beating and the call of the bagpipes led him home. Allison Michie Ledingham was born March 20, 1945 in Holland MB, the youngest son of John and Emma.

Al leaves behind his wife Fjola, children, Kim, sons Mckae, Sage and Kaeden. Shawn and Angie (Andrew, Bryce, Rheanna, and Norma Jane), Jason and Ashley, (Joshua, Paige, Brooke and Ashlynn); Stacey and Warren; (Kaitlyn and Kyle);  Kameron and Jaclyn; ( Paetyn and Avery; Wesley and Kristii (Jillian, Jasmine and Jencie).

Great grandchildren Aliyah, Mathias, Linken, Lileigh Anna, Odin, DJ, Lucas and Prestynn. Siblings Jean, Marion, Margaret, Wilma, Jim (Diane) Lyall (Pat). Al was predeceased by his parents John and Emma, brothers Robert and Walter, sister Fern and son Kent.

If you knew our dad, Gal, grandpa Al , Red or the many other nicknames he was known for, you knew he was the biggest jokester and tease around. He always had a twinkle in his eye and you learnt quick to watch him stir his coffee and to never look away until the spoon was put down or he’d put it on your hand. You learnt the hard way to lock your car and or never leave your keys in it! Either way it was full of popcorn, up on blocks or his favourite park it the pasture where the bulls were! Potato salad fights, shoes filled with ketchup and being doused with the garden hose if you tried to sleep in were all chances you took if you stayed over, friends also were fair game in his books! He was a lover of animals, any kitten dropped off was grumbled about but soon was sitting in his lap or cuddled into his vest at the table. He loved a joke, a prank and even better a tall tale and as we called him the Hnausa Tattler, he knew everything that was going on.

Al started his career working for Hnausa Transfer for Einar Einarson and eventually bought it out with his brother in law Richard and operated it for many years. Many memories were made in those trucks and longtime friends made throughout. When they sold the business he did a stint as a helper on the lake fishing but eventually went into heavy construction on major projects in Manitoba. He worked construction until 2016 until he had a major health crisis which we were thankful he survived.

So now he was faced with forced Retirement! Which to him meant 2 gardens, acres of grass cutting and early coffee dates starting at 4:30 in the morning. Cruising to count the deer along the way to get the mail or take the garbage and calling all his friends and family with updates. 37 deer today, I will do another count tomorrow!

The family would like to Thank everyone for the outpouring of support we have received and we know Dad would have loved the attention! We know he was met at the gates by his long time friends Sandy, Roy, Danny are just a few as he had friends everywhere. We are especially sure he was reunited with his missing thumb!

The family are planning to have a Celebration of Life at a later date. We want to Thank Dr. Patel for the care given to Dad and the staff at the dialysis unit. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in his memory to the Gimli Dialysis Unit.

Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences on Al’s memorial page by using the comment field below.

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