ANTHONY EDWARD (Tony) POPE

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ANTHONY EDWARD (Tony) POPE

Peacefully, on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, Tony passed away at St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 85.

Tony will be greatly missed by his children Tim (Linda), Mark (Beverly), Tarra Pope-Savoie (Bruce), grandchildren Alex (Charlene), Lindsay (Pieter), Evan (Bryanna), Cailyn (Turner), Rhyan (Natalie), Ashtyn (Breena) and great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Emily and Morgan. Tony was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Margaret Pope on November 29, 2013.

Tony was born in Strood and Hoo, Northfleet, County of Kent, England on May 31, 1937. Having to quit school at 15 years old to support his family after the passing of his father, Tony started his working career as a an Agricultural Machinery Fitter when indentured as an apprentice with Stanhay Limited in 1953. In 1958 Tony served in the U.K Royal Artillery as a land surveyor. Then in 1960 Tony started employment as a maintenance fitter for Energen Foods in Ashford, Kent.

Upon immigrating to Canada in January 1967, Tony began working for Weston Bakeries in Winnipeg as a maintenance mechanic. Tony moved his family to Pointe Du Bois in 1968 were he was employed with Winnipeg Hydro, overhauling turbine generators. Tony was also a volunteer firefighter for the town. Moving back to the city of Winnipeg in 1972 Tony worked as a millwright at the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation where he was promoted to supervisor of the maintenance department. In 1978 until their closure in 1997, Tony worked for Molson Breweries as an industrial mechanic. From there Tony moved to Naleway Foods where he ended his working career in 2013 to look after his wife, Margaret.

From a very young age, Tony loved gardening. He ran his own nursery small business for many years in England, and always had a backyard garden wherever he lived. He won several awards for his gardening including a certificate from Popular Gardening in 1965 for his chrysanthemums.

Tony and Margaret performed many years of volunteer work together for Manitoba Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation where Tony was trained to handle raptors. The family has many stories of the varied animals that Margaret and Tony transported for the haven.

Tony took a huge interest in all of his grandchildren’s activities and events. If there was an event going on for one of his grandchildren, he would be the first to raise his hand to attend. He was always very sociable, anyone he met immediately adored him.

At the age of 71 Tony took up long distance running and participated in many organized running events. In 2011 Tony won first in his category at the Run for Hills half marathon event in Treherne, Manitoba. After a cardiac event in 2014, and against doctors advice, he continued running for many more years. He proudly displays all of his t-shirts and medals on the walls of his home.

After mom’s passing, Tony rekindled his love for the motorcycle. When his bike became to heavy, he switched to a three wheeled Can-Am Ryker. He would often be seen riding about town on the Ryker with his Bichon (Lucy) in the custom made dog seat that was mounted on the back.

The family would like to thank the teams at both Seven Oaks Hospital and St. Boniface Hospital for their kindness and compassion to Tony and to the family. It is greatly appreciated.

Tony was interred at Winnipeg Beach Cemetery, during a private family ceremony, on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony’s memory can be made to D’Arcy’s A.R.C Inc., 730 B Century Street, Winnipeg, MB. R3H OM1 or at https://www.darcysarc.ca

Condolences may be left on his tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com



Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk

in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 15, 2023