Peacefully after a brief illness, our beloved husband and father passed away on April 22, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the age of 78 years in the loving arms of our mother and surrounded by family.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Connie, his two sons Hal (Joan) and Steve (Lisa); grandchildren Samantha (Bart), Mark, and Deanna; sister Mary Williamson (Joe); sister in laws Mercedes and Elizabeth Toral, Marjorie Dawson and many other family members.
Dad was predeceased by his mother Josephine, father Rev. Canon Richard Dawson, and brother Andrew Dawson.
Dad was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba on June 2, 1932 and attended schools in England and Canada graduating from the University of Manitoba (B.Comm.) in 1954.
Dad had a successful business career with both the Hudson’s Bay Company as Manager of Marketing Research and the Great-West Life Assurance Company as Assistant Treasurer and Research Officer. In 1977 Dad became a certified management consultant and formed Dawson Research, moving to financial consulting in 1982 with Manulife Financial which he loved dearly and was still working fulltime until a month ago.
Dad was also very involved with the community holding board positions on MiniSkools Inc., the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Dad was an avid gardener, having won several horticultural awards for his flowers over the years. Mom and Dad also traveled extensively. Cruising was their most enjoyable method of travel, allowing them to visit many exotic destinations around the world. Mom and Dad loved entertaining, hosting numerous dinner parties over the years. His fondest memories were with “The Over The Hill Gang” and the U of M Gourmet Dinner Club, where they formed many lasting friendships. Dad’s favourite hobby was getting together on a monthly basis with his poker buddies. He was the last remaining original member of a friendly poker club formed 50 years ago and often spoke of the friendship, laughs and camaraderie of this great group of guys.
Dad’s biggest success in life was as the head of our family. He was a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, who will be missed forever and never forgotten, and will always live in our hearts. He was always there for us, whether we needed a helping hand, or some advice, you could always count on him. As a final act of kindness Dad donated his eyes to the Eye Bank so someone will receive the gift of sight and part of him will live on. That’s just the way he was.
We want to thank all our many friends and family for their support during this trying time and a special thanks to all the Doctors and Nurses at the HSC GH4 CancerCare Manitoba and Riverview Health Centre for their dedication, kindness and compassion to our Dad during his illness. You are all very special people and we appreciate your efforts very much.
Dad’s funeral will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at The Cathedral Church of Saint John, 135 Anderson Ave., Wpg,. Cremation has taken place and Dad will be interred at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermott Ave., Wpg., MB R3E 0V9 or Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Wpg., MB R3T 0R3.
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