CLIFFORD DONOVAN SVEINSON (CLIFF)

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CLIFFORD DONOVAN SVEINSON
April 26, 1936 - November 30, 2021

Cliff, Dad, Afi, brother, uncle, friend passed away peacefully in Gimli on November 30, 2021.
Dad was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Johanna; his beloved wife of 55 plus years, Irene; brother Sigmar; and sisters-in-law, Kay Brunner and Marge Holmes.
His family of Brad and Colleen Sveinson (Aidan and Zach, Halley and Bree), Tom Sveinson (Caila and Stephen, Eric and Avery, Kyle and Cathy and Dave Eyolfson (Koen, Kelsey), and good friend and companion Nancy Allan are all left with many fond memories, the lifelong effect of his influence on them and the love that he had for all of them.
Cliff was born in Sandy Hook (virtually at the spot where his kitchen table is). He went to School at Kjarna, with one year in Gimli. Upon completing Grade 11, Dad moved to Winnipeg to live with family and enrolled in Success Business College. He began his accounting career at Cooperators' Hail Insurance in the mid 50s. From then till he met Irene, he joined the local YMCA and became an accomplished handball player as well as a member of a championship volleyball team.
He made many friends at work, the Y and spent much time with his many cousins in Winnipeg.
Cliff met Irene and they were married in June of 60. In early 61, Dad was transferred to Regina. Following the birth of Brad, Cliff (and Irene) made the decision to return to Sandy Hook as a stop gap measure before finding a job in Winnipeg.
Dad's mother, Johanna (Anna), gave them a lot on 3rd Avenue with a 14 x 20 summer kitchen and an outhouse. Simple beginnings!
Upon returning to Sandy Hook, Cliff worked as a carpenter for his father at Sveinson Construction, which Pete had started in 1943. Within a few years, with his business and bookkeeping experience and a way with people, Cliff slowly began to handle the finances and operation. From the mid 60s on, Cliff built a very successful business. There are many cottages, homes and commercial buildings that Sveinson Construction either built, renovated or repaired throughout the area. During the building process, many long-lasting relationships and friendships were forged. As well, there are numerous contractors that began their carpentry careers working for Cliff!
During the early 60s and into the 90s Dad spent a lot of time with the Kinsmen Club of Gimli and the Gimli Skunks Rec Hockey team. These times were exactly what Dad loved, friends, humour and having some fun!
There are two places in the world that Dad loved, Sandy Hook and Mesa, Arizona. The constant is golf!! Dad was a very good golfer from a young age and won many tournaments through all ages of life. At 80 he could still drive the ball longer than most young men.
Anyone that knew Cliff were aware of his sense of humour, his open arms for all, his spirit of fun, generosity and his deep love of all of his family.

Cliff, Dad, Afi, Friend you will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Evergreen Basic Needs, or PGA of Manitoba Foundation Inc.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 4, 2021 at the Lakeview Resort in Gimli. Service is open to all double vaccinated persons.

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2021, Dec 04, 2021