It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Alfred Thomas “Al” Coates of Ste. Anne, Manitoba. Al passed quietly on June 9, after a very brief stay at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Coates (née Henderson); his daughter Diane and her husband Joe Thordarson; his parents Robert Waller Coates and Lottie Alice (née Carpenter), and his brother Marvin.
Left to cherish his memory are his sister-in-law Iona Warner; his children Deb (Rob) Smith, Dan (Eileen) Coates, and Don (Brenda) Coates; grandchildren Ben Thordarson, Amy Smith, Andrew (Jamie) Coates, Stacey (Scott) Torgerson, Iain (Lauren) Coates, Meaghan Coates; and great-grandchildren Chaise, Markus, and Annia. He also leaves behind his friend Carol Lavallee.
Al was raised in Morris, Manitoba where he assisted his father in the dray business and developed a love of horses. He had many adventures on horseback in the town of Morris. He owned a pair of palominos that he rode everywhere—in parades and into local bars and kitchens. In Morris, he fell in love with Betty Henderson, a young telephone operator, and they were married in January 1957. After a few years and four children, they purchased a farm at Ste. Anne, Manitoba. They worked hard raising their kids alongside cattle, hogs, chickens, and—always—horses. He enjoyed a career with Manitoba Hydro that spanned over 40 years. During their farming years, Al was voted as reeve of the RM of Ste. Anne from 1990-95. Al and Betty had many friends in the area and enjoyed friendships that continued throughout their lives. His greatest joys were playing cribbage, picking Saskatoon berries, sharing ice cream cones with his dogs, training horses, and laughing at family gatherings.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Hwy. 1 East, Navin Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Those wishing to view this obituary and join the service by livestream may do so by visiting: www.greenacresfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Prairie Strides Equestrian (https://prairiestrides.com/) or the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre (https://wildlifehaven.ca/pages/donate).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresfuneralhome.com for the COATES family.
