Obituaries

JOHN KAI THORVALD ALMDAL April 30, 1931 – November 26, 2016
            With dignity, Dad passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, November 26, 2016, with daughter Christine at his side.             Dad will be greatly missed by his children, Christine (John) Ruban, Ted (Edie) Almdal, Pam (Dean) Paterson, Tracey Fehr; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers Neil (Shirley) and Bill (Rose); sisters-in-law Joyce and Joan Almdal; many nieces and nephews as well as extended family in Denmark. He was predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Ivy Almdal; wife Dorothy; daughter Heather; nephew Michael Almdal; nephew-in-law Rick Kaprowy and brothers Larry and Jim.             Dad was born on April 30, 1931, the fourth of five boys and the only one born at home. Raised in Winnipeg, the family spent their summers ‘at the beach’ near Beaconia, MB beginning in 1939. Dad had two passions in life – trains and trains! His lifelong love of trains began very early. His mum said his first words were choo choo and he never looked back. As an eight year old, he would hang around the Beaconia railway station. The highlight of his day was waiting impatiently for the sound of the train whistle and running out of the cottage to the RR track to wave at the ‘Moonlight Special’ in the dark. He even talked his mother into letting him ride for the day on the track motor car with the men as they did track inspection. He was ten years old.             Being one of five boys, there was plenty of trouble to go ‘round, with most of it being around Dad! He was a little light on the academic side. He left school before completing grade eight to start work with CN in October, 1947 at the age of 16. Later on, Dad completed grades eight through 11 by correspondence. He also took a three year Labor-Management course and a five year apprentice General Mechanics course.             Dad completed 42 years of service in a variety of capacities. He started North of The Pas as a ‘cookie’ – a cook’s assistant working seven days a week from 0530 to 2000. Another early job he had was ‘popping’ off the frozen icicles that had formed under the WC (washroom) car. This was followed as a laborer lifting/laying new tracks, a flagman, welder and grinder operator. During the winter months of work layoff, Dad had filler jobs such as butcher and mail sorter.             In 1950 while working in Sioux Lookout, ON, Dad met his future wife Dorothy Wickler at the local skating rink. Returning to Winnipeg, they married in 1952 where Christine was born. Work related relocation took them back to Sioux Lookout where Ted was born (1955). Back in Winnipeg in 1961, Pam was born followed by the surprise birth of their caboose Heather Lynn in 1973 in Thunder Bay, ON. On September 11, 1994, Mom died suddenly. Dad was further devastated (as we all were) to lose Heather, his caboose, on the family train of life in a motor vehicle accident in May 1995. Ensuing relocations were to Saskatoon, Moncton, Montreal, Edmonton with the final stop in Oakbank, MB in 1989. With every move Dad was promoted. He had been a brakeman, trainman, conductor and then into management as a Trainmaster, Assistant Superintendent, Regional Operation Manager and finally System Operation Control Officer at Headquarters, Montreal. In 1989 at age 58, Dad took a medical retirement. He had worked in every province except The Yukon. With every move he and mom made, they cultivated and made lifelong friends – the Marshalls, Johnstons, Mckenzies, Irelands, the Browns and others. A circle of true and loyal friends, some of whom were our second family. Many have fallen away from the circle of friendship.             The onset of many health issues over the years were taking a toll – hip replacement surgeries (nine in total), arm surgery, shoulder replacement (more metal). Various other body parts had smaller bits of metal. Fractures he had sustained as a youngster were now causing arthritic pain. Then came the gout and diabetes. Dad said if he had one more thing wrong with him he’d have to use a garbage can lid as his medic alert necklace! All that did not stop him!             Dad joined the Vintage Locomotive Society (VLS) and has been an active volunteer with the Prairie Dog Central (PDC) since 1969. In fact, he was the conductor on the very first run to Lower Fort Garry on July 1, 1970 with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau aboard. Earlier, in 1967, he had the honour to serve as the conductor on the Royal Train when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip visited for Canada’s Centennial. Those were exciting highlights for him. Dad served in many capacities with the PDC, monitoring train crews and preserving and maintaining century old coaches. He also managed the souvenir shop and served as the society’s Heritage and Artifacts supervisor. In recognition of his contributions and commitment to the VLS (PDC) he was given life member status.             For a number of years, Dad wintered in Arizona until his health dictated staying closer to home. He suffered a difficult life for many years. It was wonderful to see in the last couple of years a passion and a sparkle. With the cancer diagnosis in 2013, he decided to live his life with a positive attitude, determination, and on some days, sheer willpower. Dad loved to see people laughing and had a great ability to inject laughter into a conversation effortlessly. He loved, loved, the much ado of family coming to the hospice sharing a meal and spending time together.             The family (and Dad too) extend our love and gratitude to the many who called, visited, took him for walks, played crib, brought him his ‘Timmies or other treats, talked about scripture and greatly encouraged him. Dr. Denis Caners, who cared for Dad for so many years (remember Denis, high and to the left!), Cancer Care Dr. Czajkowski and Denise Klassen, Riverview Palliative Care and his last stop – the Grace Hospice. Each step of his journey was lightened because of your compassion. So many of you treated Dad like family, he loved it!             A lifetime of gratitude to uncles Neil and Bill; Dylan, Joyce and Grant for making Dad’s world peaceful, joyful and filled with hope for the day. Not hope for a year or two years, but hope for the day. Uncle Jim, the oldest brother, predeceased Dad by months. The two of them had a special connection that really solidified as they aged together. They phoned each other every day and Dad missed that.             Grant, your visits and Biblical discussions became the bedrock of his days! Dad was so grateful you came into his life. Pastor Ron, your sermons seemed so personal to Dad and he took them to heart. Thank you both for your part in leading Dad to Jesus Christ.             Cremation has taken place. Dad’s final resting place will be a place he truly loved – the country. A private family Interment will be held at a later date in the Balsam Bay Cemetery, Balsam Bay, MB, where Dad will be laid to rest beside his mother and father.             A Service to remember, honour and celebrate Dad’s life will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Winnipeg Evangelical Free Church, 500 Lagimodière Boulevard, with Pastor Ron Koleba officiating.             In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dad’s memory to the Grace Hospice, 260 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 3R5; Riverview Health Centre, 1 Morley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3L 2P4; Teen Challenge, 414 Edmonton Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2M2 or Vintage Locomotive Society Inc., P.O. Box 33021, RPO Polo Park, R3G 3N4.