ROY ALDEN (AL) PARKER

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ROY ALDEN (AL) PARKER 1934 - 2012 With Gail, his loving wife holding his hand and loving family by his side, Roy Alden (Al) Parker peacefully passed away on August 22, 2012 at Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, Manitoba. Al was born on March 4, 1934 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was predeceased by his loving parents Roy Arthur and Dorothy Jean, his sister Joan, his brother Lorne and Lorne's wife Gwen, and sweet dog Kate. Al will be fondly remembered for his loyalty to family and friends and his passions which included: spending time at Lake of the Woods, his home away from home, listening to big band music and his love of fishing, which he passed on to his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Al was the consummate gentleman always respectful and mindful of others with a playful cheeky side that he displayed to those he loved. He had a budding career as a R.C.A.F. pilot and was an all-around athlete who was drafted by the NHL. He gave up his dream of the NHL to pursue a career in business in which he was highly respected. The business he chose was one in which he could include his love of sports, the outdoors, and hunting. He was a founding member of the Winnipeg Trap and Skeet Club, and was a judge for the Skeet competition at the 1967 Pan-Am Games. There was nothing that Al couldn't do and he was a man of many talents and skills. These talents varied from dancing, building remote control scale models to training Golden Labs and Yarmouth Trollers. His love of animals carried on throughout his life and in his later years he had two faithful companions, Katie and Darby both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Yet despite Al's talents he was a humble man, who did not like to be fussed over and was always the optimist finding the bright side of any situation. Al's rugged good looks were often compared to Clint Eastwood or Paul Newman and he will be remembered for his beautiful blue eyes, gentle hands and sense of humour. He was a father figure to many people and had the ability to listen and mentor them with wisdom and knowledge. Words cannot express how much Al will be missed by his loving wife Gail, his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Our deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to Doctors Frederic Ball, Lisa Earl, Maria Wowk and the wonderful support staff of Bethesda Hospital. Al is survived by his loving wife Susan (Gail), of 27 years, son Randy of Regina, SK, daughter Carla (husband Ken) of Powell River, BC, sons Rob (wife Cathy) and Tim, both from Winnipeg, MB, sister Joyce (husband Ernie) of Florida. Al will also be remembered fondly by his grandchildren Cole, Brett, Aaron, Natasha, Nathaniel, Kennedy and Luke as well as numerous nieces and nephews. If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Al's name to Ducks Unlimited or to Delta Waterfowl. Here's Looking at You Kid NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE (204) 949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 01, 2012