REGINALD CHARLES BLACKMAN

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REGINALD CHARLES BLACKMAN December 22, 1930 December 6, 2016 Reginald Charles Blackman passed away suddenly at the age of 85 years in Winnipeg, MB. He is deeply missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Deborah and Henry Froese and sons, Kyle (Carlie), Daniel and Cole; Nadine and Gary Wagner, their daughters, Randi Wagner and Charlsty (Marty) Suthers, and children, Hudson, Belle and Etta; Andrew and Monica Blackman, their daughter Janelle Blackman (Chris Sooley) and son Tyler Blackman. He also leaves to mourn his "adopted" daughter, Ronda Pfeiffer; beloved nieces and nephews, and a close circle of friends including his bridge partners at Concordia Village where he resided. Reginald was a kind, gentle and patient man with an engaging sense of humour. Always cheerful, he extended an expansive generosity toward those around him, including many charities. His love of others was frequently expressed by sharing food and hospitality. Reginald was born in Ochre River, MB, to Charles and Gertrude Blackman as the younger brother to Lawrence. "Reggie" spent many happy summers at the family cottage along the shores of Ochre Beach. He was taught to play piano by a United Church minister and became an accomplished pianist who shared his gift at many church services, weddings and funerals, accompanying his mother as she sang. In later years, he took up the tuba in a marching band in Minnedosa, MB. A proclivity toward mathematics and precision made Reginald well-suited to the field of engineering, which he pursued at the University of Manitoba. He met Merle Andrew at a Friday evening dance for students and said that "she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen." The two were married in 1954 and spent almost 60 years dedicated to one another until Merle's death in 2013. His children grew up without ever hearing him speak an unkind word, although he managed to register any disappointment with a simple phrase: "Now look." Reginald had a long and distinguished career with the Manitoba Department of Highways, working in Winnipeg, Brandon, Minnedosa and Selkirk, undertaking a wide array of projects including the engineering of ice roads to Northern Manitoba, Winnipeg's perimeter highway, and numerous roads and bridges. He served as a District Engineer in Selkirk from 1971 to his retirement in 1991, followed by a move to Westbank, BC, where he and Merle lived for 20 years. In 2011, Merle and Reg returned to Manitoba. Although Reginald deeply felt the loss of his wife two years later, he remained actively involved with family and played bridge regularly with a close group of friends at Concordia Village. Reginald's family is grateful to the staff and residents of Concordia Village for providing a warm and welcoming home for him in his last years, and to Mimi and Lola for their caring assistance. Cremation has taken place. A service celebrating Reginald's life and legacy will be held at Concordia Village, 1125 Molson Street, Winnipeg, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Concordia Village in his memory.
Publish Date: Dec 31, 2016

REGINALD CHARLES BLACKMAN With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our father Reginald Charles Blackman, aged 85 years, on December 6, 2016 at Concordia Village in Winnipeg. A memorial service will be held at Concordia Village, 1125 Molson Ave., Winnipeg, on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Longer notice to follow on Saturday, December 31.

Publish Date: Dec 17, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2016