Obituaries

JOHN GORDON MCNABB

On Monday, May 21, 2018 with family at his bedside, John quietly passed away at the Grace Hospital.

Left to survive John are his sons Donald (Sally) and Gary; grandchildren David, Kimberly (Nathan), and Gordon (Kayla); sister-in-law Lillian Hancock; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Dorothy, and by his parents, Gordon Hope McNabb and Mona Carswell.

John was born on December 3, 1925 at the Grace Hospital and grew up on Noble Avenue in Elmwood. He attended Glenelm School and Lord Selkirk High School.

For six years John worked at Furnaceman until he became a maintenance man for the Winnipeg Electric Gas Distribution Company in 1950. The company became the Greater Winnipeg Gas Company and then Centra Gas, from which he retired after 38 years of service. He was the Secretary-Treasurer of his Local of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union for many years. He flew to many of their international conventions, always returning with gifts.

In 1952, John married Dorothy Irene Hancock who also grew up on Noble Avenue. They settled in St. James on Sharp Boulevard, where they lived for 62 years. They had two sons, Donald Gordon and Gary Henry. The family attended Deer Lodge United Church. John was an usher and also counted the offering. He was treasurer of the Group Committee that oversaw the Scouting activities at the church. He borrowed and set up griddles from the Gas Company for their pancake breakfasts, drove cubs to camp, and did whatever he could to help out.

John drove his family on summer vacations across Canada and the USA, visiting with family and friends or simply sightseeing. Following retirement, he continued to go on driving trips with Dorothy, but they also flew to Hawaii on a few occasions and once to Europe.

John loved to drive – anywhere and anytime. He drove to the airport or train station to pick up or drop off those who were travelling. He and Dorothy would drive family and friends to appointments or to pick up groceries. John’s actions usually, but not always, spoke louder than his words. He would go anywhere, at any time, to help anyone.

John’s subscription to the Reader’s Digest may have saved his life! He had read about the symptoms of a heart attack and decided that he was having one, so he drove himself to Grace Hospital and spent many days in the Intensive Care Unit. Years later, following his third heart attack, he agreed to bypass surgery. It was a contributing factor to the good health that he enjoyed for many years. Workouts at the Reh-Fit Centre and walks with his friend Harold Irwin were also beneficial.

Like his mother, John had an interest in antiques and old buildings and he enjoyed investigating some of the historic buildings in Winnipeg during ‘Open Doors’ events. He shared stories of his childhood with his family, including memories of train trips with his father who worked for the CNR.

John enjoyed attending RMTC dress rehearsals with Donald and watching the Winnipeg Goldeyes with Gary. He took Dorothy to see musicals at the Hollow Mug Theatre in the International Inn or at Rainbow Stage. They never missed a school play, concert, or sporting event that her children and grandchildren participated in.

Sadly, John’s mind and body declined very quickly after Dorothy’s passing. They had taken care of each other and he was lost and lonely without her.

A private celebration of John’s life has taken place. If you wish to make a donation in memory of John, you are invited to make a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.

Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com