VERNON FRANCIS LARSON

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VERNON FRANCIS LARSON July 26, 1937 - January 26, 2019 Vern passed away peacefully at the Concordia Hospital at the age of 81. He is celebrated as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. He is survived by his children, Brian (Susan), David, Steve (Maureen Cousins) and Carol (John Kubilanski), and his grandchildren, Matt (Stephanie), Derek (Nina), Megan (Kyle) DeCosse, Taylor (Quinn Mackenzie), and Carly and Troy Kubilanski. He was also lucky enough to have known great-grandchildren, Linnea and Jack Larson. Vern is also survived by his sister Elaine (Brian) Rankin, and their children, Elizabeth and Michael in Australia. Vern was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Helen Larson (nee Johnson), parents, Vernon and Martha Larson, and brother John (Jay) Larson. Vern was born and raised in Alberta and at 15 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force; he served for a few years before he was hired by the railway, which eventually brought him to Winnipeg. There, he met, fell in love with, and married Helen. A few years later, they purchased the family home in Winnipeg, and started their family. They loved to dance, from square dance to round dance, tango and cha-cha-cha, everyone stopped to watch when they took to the floor. Vern often described himself as a "big kid" and devoted himself to providing and participating in a variety of fun activities, hobbies, adventures, games and sports for the growing family. Many family vacations explored numerous locations and campgrounds across Central and Western Canada where lasting memories were made. Following Helen's passing in November of 2017, Vern sold the family home in Elmwood and moved to the Irene Baron Eden Centre. Vern spent the majority of his working life in the telecommunications field as a telephone exchange installation technician. His work often involved travel and the family spent brief periods in Winfield, BC, Thornhill, ON and Calgary, AB before returning to the family home in Winnipeg. Vern retired from the Manitoba Telecom Services at the age of 67. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the St. Boniface and Concordia Hospitals for their care of our father during his illness. Thank you also to the staff and residents of Irene Baron Eden Centre for their care and friendship. A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, or a charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2019