ARTHUR OSMAN VAILE

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ARTHUR OSMAN VAILE June 11, 1930 - January 22, 2016 On Friday, January 22, 2016, Arthur passed away peacefully at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, surrounded by his family. Art is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lorraine (nee Bellefeuille); son Brad (Diana) and daughter Vicki Magnifico (Adriano); grandchildren Andrea (Kelly), Jessica, Allison, Joel, Alec and Jeremy. He was predeceased by his father Osman in 1967, and his mother Doris in 1970. Art grew up in Fort Garry where he attended Grandin School. Mom recalled that "he was the first boy in the neighbourhood to own a car." A black 1940 Plymouth. She was smitten. Art played hockey for the school hockey team, Grandin-Fort Garry, and earned the nickname "Jack Rabbit" Vaile for his quick reflexes between the pipes. He was invited to try out with the Boston Bruins in New Westminster, BC, but by then, he had met Mom and never did make the trip out west. After a lengthy courtship, Mom and Dad were married on April 11, 1950 in the chapel of St. Ignatius Church. They welcomed son Brad in 1954 and daughter Vicki in 1965. A house was not a home without a dog and over the years the family had several. Art worked construction in his younger years and later obtained his Plumbing and Steamfitting papers. He was employed by Randall Plumbing and Heating Ltd. where one of his jobs took him to Great West Life, installing the heating and air conditioning systems during the Osborne building's construction in 1959. He was hired by GWL shortly afterwards and spent the next 30 years as the company's Building Superintendent. Art was an active member of St. John's Anglican Church and later, he and Mom attended Donnelly United Church and Trinity United Church. He was always at the ready to volunteer his time if there was ever anything in the community that needed to be done. Dad was an accomplished athlete and in addition to hockey, he played fastball with the GWL Industrial League, later making the move to slow pitch where he played with his son and won several championships over the years. Art curled at the Pembina Curling Club for many years and golfed at various courses in the city and province. His time spent with good friends competing in the "Otter Falls Open" held a special place in his heart. Dad passed on his love for sports to his children and grandchildren. He never missed a chance to play catch in the yard and spent countless hours attending their various sporting events and extracurricular activities. Later in his life, chronic back pain, a stroke in 2002 and Parkinson's left him unable to participate in sports, but he continued to be an avid fan, watching the Bombers and Jets, as well as baseball, curling and golf on TV. Dad took great pleasure in spending time with family. He looked forward to camping trips every summer, sleeping under the stars in a tent and cooking bacon and eggs over an open fire. The backyard barbecues held on Berrydale Avenue, with the Bellefeuilles, playing horseshoes and lawn darts, were some of his favourite times. Mom and Dad loved socializing with their life-long Fort Garry friends and neighbours and many a great night was spent going out for a nice dinner or staying in for a rousing game of cards. The family would like to thank all the staff at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg for their love and compassionate care during Dad's time with them. Cremation has taken place and in compliance with Dad's wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. "Say not in grief he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was."
Publish Date: Jan 30, 2016

ARTHUR OSMAN VAILE On Friday, January 22, 2016, Arthur passed away peacefully at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, surrounded by his family. A longer obituary notice to appear in next Saturday's paper.
Publish Date: Jan 23, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 30, 2016