Obituaries

JOHN MCINNES On Sunday, April 22, 2012 John died at the Fred Douglas Lodge at the age of 84 years. Dad was born the youngest of 10 children, all who have now passed. He loved to work with a hammer and nails and could create anything he set his mind to: chests of drawers, tables, chairs and benches, etc; he built a camper/trailer that slept six. He and Greta (Mom) took us all camping every summer in it, for many years when we were kids; then in 1969 he began building a cottage in Belair, MB. It was a huge venture for him and, after many years of building a little at a time, it became a four bedroom, fully winterized home where he and Mom retired in 1992. John loved being a father to Leslie (Ron), Pam (Ed), Craig and Melody (Rick); a grandfather to Tamara (Carl), Charlene (Eric), Paige, Dean, Cody, Angel and Dreden; as well as a great-grandfather to Jessica, Megan (Charlene and Eric’s children), Jordyn and Melissa (Tamara and Carl’s children). John was also a father figure to Ron (Leslie’s husband) for more than 43 years. Mom and Dad made their home a sanctuary to many foster children through the years until Carol arrived as an infant in 1968 and they chose to keep her as their own. Mom and dad then became adoptive parents. John was very proud to be the father of a special needs child. He and Mom did everything they could to help Carol become a productive adult in society. They took her to all her special Olympics games and events, cheering her on and encouraging her every step of the way. They helped her finish school and made sure she was recognized as a graduate . In Dad’s retirement years, he loved to spend time with friends at the senior’s center in Victoria Beach. Sometimes he also enjoyed a good round of golf, especially when Mom was alive. They enjoyed lots of activities together, but Ceramics classes held a special connection for them. When Mom got sick, Dad even completed all the ceramic projects they had started together, including a set of Mushroom Canisters for each of us. Dad had many friends and greeted everyone with a big smile and a joke or two. He loved to make people laugh. He thought of himself as quite humorous, and he did indeed have a great sense of humor. We’ll miss that about him! We’d love for you to join us in a celebration of dad’s life on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Memories in Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main Street at Manitoba Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Victoria Beach Senior Scene or Fred Douglas Lodge.   As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on April 25, 2012