Obituaries

NEAL JOHN STAPLETON
       On Thursday, April 6, 2017 at the age of 48 years, in Washoe County, Nevada, Neal passed away peacefully in his sleep while resting during his long haul trip to California.       Neal is lovingly remembered and will be greatly missed by his parents, Don and Louise Stapleton (Lamoureux); his brother Wesley Stapleton (Val) and sisters Susan Scrivens (Lawrence), Cheryl Stapleton and Brenda McCarthy (Ian). Also left to mourn are his nieces and nephews, Tara (Justin), Tricia (Derek), Brice (Danielle), Jessica (Aaron), Sean, Ashlee, Michael, Byron (Dana), Kyle (Jennifer) and his great nieces and nephews Emily, Sadie, Olivia, Nash and Gordon.      Neal grew up in St. James where he attended Bannatyne School and Sturgeon Creek. During his childhood summers, he could be found every weekend at Hillside Beach with his family. There he developed a love for riding his ATVs, fishing and kneeboarding. When he was old enough, he enjoyed operating his dad’s loaders pushing snow. Neal obtained his class 1 license and became a proud long distance truck driver. His stories of the things he saw or the hauls he was carrying while on the road were endless. He loved his job. When Neal wasn’t ‘on the road again’ he enjoyed watching Nascar races, adding to his Nascar car collection, flying RC helicopters (his love of all things aviation was evident in his latest tattoos) and being with his family and friends. Neal especially loved his recent new hobby of woodturning in the garage with his dad. He also enjoyed playing with his furry four legged friends Shadow and Olivia. Neal was always a happy person that loved everybody and would do anything for anyone. He could always be counted on for many jokes, some bad, some good and some only he understood.      We would like to thank the Nevada Highway Patrol – Northern Command, Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and O’Brien-Rogers & Crosby Funeral Home and West 2nd Events Center Walton’s Funerals and Cremations for looking after Neal while he was in their care. Everyone we dealt with went out of their way to help us get Neal home. Our thanks to Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel for providing us with their support and expertise in bringing Neal home to Canada. We would also like to thank RunRite Freight Systems for all their support during this difficult time.      Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2400 Portage Avenue with Rev. Fr. Eric Giddins, presiding. Please dress casually; this is what Neal would have wanted!      In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 401 – 1 Wesley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4C6.      Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665.
 ‘We miss your face, your voice, especially your hugs and our long talks in the morning before you left on a trip. Just you being here made our lives more fun & interesting.  We so enjoyed having you here for the last two years. You will forever be in our thoughts and hearts.’ Love Mom & Dad