Obituaries

LIAM FARRELL SANDERS

On August 16th, 2023, Liam Farrell Sanders died too young, too soon.

He is lovingly remembered by his mother, Noreen Sanders, his three beloved children, his oldest daughter in B.C. and Cullen and Jamie (Riley) in Winnipeg, his siblings Colin (Gail), Shauna (Daniel), Kevin (Alex), Ian, Maura (David), Sheila, Fiona, his aunt Barbara Smith, his cousins, seventeen nieces and nephews, thirteen great-nieces and great-nephews, his friends, and many colleagues. Liam was predeceased by his father, Dr. Ronald John Sanders, his brother Kieran, and his grandparents.

Liam was most recently predeceased by his wife, Tami, who died suddenly in May, leaving him truly bereft and struggling. As recently as two weeks ago Liam observed that Tami had been his best friend and the great love of his life. After meeting at Argyle High School as teenagers they were together spiritually, if not always physically, for the rest of their lives.

Liam was delighted to recently have had all three of his adult children living with him and their time together meant the world to him. He adored his children. Cullen spent hours together with his dad, talking about his day, going for car rides, and taking the dogs for long walks. He was very proud of Jamie who has gone back to school to study towards a certificate as a Community Services Worker, and his eldest daughter who became a social worker with a commitment, based on her parents’ influence, to help others.

Liam spent his childhood and formative years in Crescentwood before he and Tami moved out to B.C. where they raised their young family while founding and operating Coral Painting out of their home in Oak Bay. They returned to Winnipeg to be closer to family and Liam eventually moved back to Crescentwood where he grew up. He worked as Operations Manager for Kepsco Construction where he was an integral part of its success for 13 years. Liam developed many significant relationships with employees and clients alike and they join us in mourning his passing.

As “our baby brother”, the youngest child in a large family of nine children, Liam always had a special relationship with, and place in the hearts of all his siblings and his parents, and his absence leaves an unfillable void.

As the youngest uncle, Liam also holds a unique place in the hearts of his nieces and nephews; they have fond memories of Liam and Tami’s wedding, rides in Liam’s blue convertible and their first sips of champagne.

As a youngster Liam was an avid hockey player and followed the Jets religiously. Liam loved dogs and always had at least one living with him – at the time of his death he had Misty and Bandit who had been providing companionship and comfort and who will miss accompanying him to the office, going for car rides, walks and other indulgences.

Liam’s mother took him to his first opera at age eight and this started his lifelong love of music. He especially loved the music of Joe Strummer and The Clash and Shane McGowan of The Pogues; he admired Shane for both his musical and visual artistry, and owned several pieces of Shane’s art.

Liam had an irrepressible spirit, and despite periods of adversity he always had a quick and lovely smile and a funny quip.  He loved his family deeply and he will be terribly missed.