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MAX SOMERS
Born: Feb 28, 1935
Date of Passing: Dec 06, 2020
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MAX SOMERS
Left to cherish his memory are Ida, his wife of 62 years; his sons, Peter (Mary) and David (Sherry) and his granddaughter Madeline. He also leaves his younger brothers, John (June) of South Carolina and Cecil (Joan) of Belfast and their families to remember him.
Max was born in Delgany, Co. Wicklow, Ireland on February 28, 1935 and spent his early years in nearby Greystones and summers in Woodenbridge with relatives before starting his carpentry apprenticeship at age 14. He would set down his tools for the last time this past September after 71 years of carpentry. He left home early to move to Co. Clare where he helped build a church at Lahinch and work on another in Ennistimon. Connections made there led him to London, England where housing construction was booming and there was as much work as a young Irish carpenter could want. But Max wanted more than life in mid-fifties England could offer and left for Canada, arriving in March 1957. He settled quickly in Winnipeg and started work on his first full day in the city. He worked for a few local contractors before being hired for the construction of the Laurie River No. 2 hydro station; it was there he learned to canoe to access a remote part of the job site and fell in love with the Canadian wilderness. He would later work in the carpentry shop in the downtown Eaton's store before eventually setting up his own contracting business.
In early 1958, Max met Ida, daughter of another Irish immigrant and Latvian homesteaders, and they married on November 22, 1958. They would spend the next 62 years together devoted to each other and their family. They would raise their two sons with the same values: love of family, commitment to work, and a passion for the outdoors. Max shared his love for canoeing, hiking, and camping in summer and winter through his years with Scouts Canada. He served as director of Camp Alloway on Big Whiteshell Lake, and as leader of the 40th Winnipeg Scouts he took the troop to two national jamborees, one in Alberta and the other in PEI. After he retired from canoeing four years ago, he would spend beautiful summer days out on the lake in his small motor boat fishing with his granddaughter; it wasn't important if fish were caught - it was the joy of being in the outdoors with family that mattered most. As settled as Max was in Winnipeg, he loved getting out to see the world when he had the chance, especially if it was with family. Max and Ida spent many winter holidays in Cuba and would return to Ireland regularly to visit relatives. Like many immigrants, he felt strongly attached to the country of his birth but was always very happy to return to his home in Canada from wherever he travelled: the Canadian Shield and the Canadian prairie had found a special place in his heart and wouldn't be replaced.
Max had a love for his trade and was able to build anything; he was a master carpenter. His first project was a garden wall that as a small child he helped his father build, and he would live his life with a hammer and saw at the ready. In his spare time, Max and his family built a cottage at Silver Harbour, and he would spend as much time as possible enjoying the beautiful setting.
He also loved his garden: he tended the vegetables with care and paid special attention to his potato crop. His last garden project was to have his granddaughter Madeline help plant two pear trees in his yard this past autumn. No matter what he was up to in the garden or garage, he always had a dog at his side: first Rufus, then Bird, and finally Gimli.
I could search the whole world over,
Until my life is through,
But I know I'll never find another you.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2020
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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We were very saddened to hear of Max's passing some time after he left us. We never could have imagined Max would ever pass on. He seemed like the strongest and smartest man and had solved every fix in this world. He was the "master". My husband and I had several rental properties and with each home we ever lived-in, seemed to become a rental after moving out, and we undertook some major renos involving Max's expertise, and son David. We even had a job go bad, and it went to court and Max was happy to stand in as our witness/expert. We ended up winning that case. Thanks to Max and his knowledge. He will surely be missed by many. I don't think there is anyone else with such integrity and knowledge and strength of opinion. He was like a father to my husband John. John looked up to Max in a lot of ways. Rest in peace Max. Always in our thoughts. XO - Posted by: Mulligans (Family friend/customer) on: Jul 03, 2021
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Our family is so sad to hear of the passing of Max. Max and David did several projects for us over the years, especially at our family cottage. Their workmanship was always just superior. Our funniest memory was when they stayed in our guest cottage while building an addition to the main cabin, and our entire septic system backed up. Max set the example and just laughed, what amazing good sports both he and David were, as Mom and I frantically dug up half the field trying to locate the tank clean out. Max and my Dad were both from Northern Ireland, and shared many stories together over coffee breaks. We remember Max with great fondness, he will be sadly missed. - Posted by: Jackie Thornton (McDowell) (Customer) on: Dec 19, 2020
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Our family is so sad to hear of the passing of Max. Max and David did several projects for us over the years, especially at our family cottage. Their workmanship was always just superior. Our funniest memory was when they stayed in our guest cottage while building an addition to the main cabin, and our entire septic system backed up. Max set the example and just laughed, what amazing good sports both he and David were, as Mom and I frantically dug up half the field trying to locate the tank clean out. Max and my Dad were both from Northern Ireland, and shared many stories together over coffee breaks. We remember Max with great fondness, he will be sadly missed. - Posted by: Jackie Thornton (McDowell) (Customer) on: Dec 19, 2020
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We are so saddened to know of max passing away. He was truly an amazing man and was like family to us. We will cherish his memory forever. Our sincere condolences to Ida, Peter and David. May his memory be eternal. Rest In Peace dear friend. - Posted by: Harry @ Shirley Kowalchuk (Friend) on: Dec 15, 2020
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How sad we are to learn of Max's passing. We feel so thankful for having met Max five years ago when he was called in on a referral to trouble shoot a bathroom floor tile repair in our home. Max did not disappoint. Rather, he came up with a unique solution to have the tile floor replaced without major disruption. Dave worked along side his Dad to complete the job. Max was truly one of a kind. We will remember him for his expertise and problem solving skills, good nature, interesting stories, reliability, and honesty. At this time of great loss and sadness, we wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Dave and family. - Posted by: Gary and Kathy Bailley (Customers) on: Dec 14, 2020
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We had the pleasure to be neighbours of Max and Ida for the past 24 years. Without a doubt, he will be greatly missed, as through the tears I wished heartfelt condolences to Ida, David and Peter, and all the family - Posted by: Blair Sherwood (Neighbour/Friend) on: Dec 13, 2020
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Sorry to hear of Max's passing. He and his crew built the addition onto our home 21 years ago and we could not have asked for a better contractor than Max. His meticulous attention to detail gave us great peace of mind throughout the process. Sincere condolences to Max's family in your time of loss and sorrow. - Posted by: Jae & Rhoda Eadie (customers) on: Dec 13, 2020
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We were deeply saddened to read of Max's passing and offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his family. We first met Max in 1999 when he did some work for us and he seemed to know instinctively what we wanted done. Over the years he and Dave completed many projects for us and the workmanship was always superb. We enjoyed many coffee breaks and lunches together and heard all about Madeline, Scouts Canada, the trips to Cuba and Ireland, his garden and his exceedingly clever dog! His eyes lit up with happiness when he spoke of Madeline and showed us pictures of her. We feel richer for having known Max. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Jim & Bunny Paci (Customers and Friends) on: Dec 12, 2020
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Sometimes you were a hard guy to work for. Sometimes you were my best friend. You taught me everything about carpentry and some things about life as well. R.I.P. Max--Corrie - Posted by: Corrie Van Dyke (friend) on: Dec 12, 2020
