ROLAND (ROLLY) DONALD THOMPSON

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ROLAND (ROLLY) DONALD THOMPSON December 19, 1941 - March 21, 2011 Peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2011 at Victoria General Hospital, Rolly passed away with his wife Eva and family by his side. Rolly was predeceased by his parents Dave and Lea Thompson and brothers Edmond and David. He is survived by Eva, his devoted wife of 43 years; brothers and sisters: Allan (Sheril) of Minnesota; Madeline Gray and Marcel (Val) of Winnipeg; Peggy Filion of Quebec; Danny of Kelowna; and Eileen Bosma (Harry) of Oakbank. Also left to mourn are sisters-in-law: Sandra Cox (Dennis) of Winnipeg and Rae Fraine (John) of Kelowna. He had a special place in his heart for his numerous nieces and nephews and his many close friends who will miss him dearly. He was especially close to his nephew Steven. Rolly was born December 19, 1941 in St. Boniface and grew up on the family farm which was located on the present site of Symington rail yard. The family later relocated to a farm in South St. Vital. Rolly began his education at Maison Chapelle in St. Boniface, moving on to the College of Notre Dame in Gravelbourg, SK and Providence College in Otterburne, MB. He attended high school at Glenlawn Collegiate in St. Vital. Rolly had a varied and interesting career beginning with heavy construction on the Winnipeg Floodway during the 1960s followed by grain and hog farming in and around Winnipeg. In 1967 he was hired by the Canadian National Railway as a switchman, where he remained for the next 31 years retiring as a trainman-conductor in 1998. Rolly kept up with the farming while his love of animals and in particular his golden retriever show dogs led to the purchase of C D Pet Supplies which he operated for many years. Rolly spent his last years working with his brother Marcel. His greatest achievement was a nine hole executive golf course which he helped design, build and maintain. The family would like to thank all of Rolly's many doctors and nurses, especially his Oncologists Dr. Ralph Wong of St. Boniface Hospital and Dr. James Johnston and his nurse Erin of Manitoba CancerCare. A celebration and reception in Rolly's memory will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rolly's memory to the Manitoba CancerCare Foundation, 1160 - 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2011