With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Andrew "Bud" Saunders Sellen at the age of 93, with Olive, his wife of 71 years, sons Alan and Ronald, daughter Cindy and grandson Dillon, at his side.
Bud was one of 12 children of Raymond and Elizabeth Sellen. He was predeceased by his siblings: Albert Edward Jesse (who died in infancy), Esther, Evelyn, Raymond, Douglas, Frances, Richard and Robert. Also by his brothers-in-law: George, John, Les, Robert and sisters-in-law: Ruth Mary, Shirley and Lynne. He is survived by sister Helen and brothers John and George and sisters-in-law Mary (Richard), Velma (John), Marjoe (Robert) and Donna (George). He is also survived and predeceased by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins of whom he was very fond.
He was the proud father of sons Alan (Jackie), Ronald (Alison) and daughter Cindy (William) and loving grandfather of Dillon (Cody), Carly (Joe) and Alexandra (Brett) and delighted great-grandad of Connolly (4 1/2 years), who said upon being told of his great-grandad's passing, "now Grandad has magic and isn't so old anymore."
Bud attended school in Oak Bank where he and Olive met, and then went on to Grade XII at St. John's Technical High School in Winnipeg. He worked for a while for his brothers' construction company, Sellen Brothers, before joining the Air Force in 1948 where he was trained as a communication technician which involved servicing aircraft radios and communications for the DEW Line.
After leaving the Air Force in 1949 he returned to Oak Bank and joined the T. Eaton Co. in the radios department as a service technician, which later included servicing televisions and major appliances, where he eventually became manager until his retirement on February 28, 1989.
He and Olive were married on June 17, 1950 and lived in a home that he built, with the help of his brothers, in St. Vital until the longing to return to Oak Bank overcame them and they built near his parents' home just north of town and raised their family.
He spent many "relaxing times" at the cottage that he built in the late 50's at West Hawk Lake. He also enjoyed hunting with his cousins and friends in Mafeking where they converted an old train caboose into their hunting lodge.
He was president of the Oak Bank Community Club and on the Board and president of the Oak Bank Credit Union for 30+ years. He was involved with the fundraising and building of the Oak Bank Arena. He was also a volunteer firefighter for many years with the Springfield Fire Department. He coached and played baseball and hockey spending many hours flooding and maintaining the ice for the rink. Subsequently, Jack Nicol, the Reeve of Springfield at the time, submitted Bud's name and he was awarded the Governor General's Medal for his years of community service. The award's ceremony was taking place in Beausejour at the same time as he was involved in a volunteer firefighter's course, "Jaws of Life", so he asked his son Alan to accept the award on his behalf. Bud was always willing to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed and he will be missed.
The family wishes to thank the many home care aides that took such wonderful care of him over the years. We'd also like to express our gratitude to the doctors, nurses, health care aides and other staff of the Selkirk Regional Health Centre for their exceptional care of him over the last several months.
A family graveside service will be held at Green Acres when the world is back to "normal".
In lieu of flowers, friends and family may donate, if they so wish, to Kinplace Personal Care Home in Oak Bank or their favourite charity.
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