CLIFFORD ERNEST BOWSLAUGH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

CLIFFORD ERNEST BOWSLAUGH

September 12, 1934 – September 11, 2024

Cliff was born on September 12, 1934, the son of Lloyd and Annie (Fardoe) Bowslaugh and resided on a farm in the Hayfield District. He used a peaceful path of 4:00 a.m. to depart from our living presence on September 11, 2024. He was one day short from this ninetieth birthday.



Cliff attended Little Souris School as did Pat Mowatt, a classmate in the one room multi grade country school. She eventually became his lifelong partner of 63 years on August 7, 1961.

His early years of life were not easy. He often recalled blocked roads in their somewhat isolated rural location from which he arrived at school by horse in the winter and his bicycle in better weather. As a student he became immersed in literacy and became a lifelong avid reader. Since his early years were before the time of television, he gathered knowledge from everything from machinery and car manuals to novels.



He also loved competitive school sports and was noted for his high jumping skills and racing at the annual Field Days.



His initial employment was helping on the farm and then he invested in farm equipment with a goal to grain farm on rented land. During the first-year grasshoppers demolished his crop and the second year he got hailed out so not being long on patience, he sold his machinery and bought a house at 861 Eleventh Street which eventually led to becoming his lifelong involvement in rentals. His daily monitoring meant that a hammer, saw, paint brush, shovels and lawn mowers were part of his essential equipment.



Cliff also sought opportunities to earn a more predictable income through employment at Dinsdale Cartage and then Western Concrete. To his great delight his driving skills morphed into a 36-year career with the Brandon Transit System.



Cliff thoroughly enjoyed being a bus driver; he cherished the opportunity to work any overtime to add to his income. Then, years later when the City acknowledged the need for supportive transportation for people with mobility challenges, Cliff seized the opportunity to be the original driver of Handi Transit. He started with a course in Winnipeg to learn the handling of various mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, assisting patrons with limited mobility, plus the rules of safety and time management. He truly enjoyed the diversity of this service and the opportunities to help people who had previously been housebound. Little did he realize that he eventually became a client to the service which had been his employment.



It was also during these years that unions became a reality in many areas of employment. The local drivers joined the Amalgamated Transit Union 1505, and Cliff became the President, a position in which he served for eleven years. Negotiating contracts, supporting the drivers and negotiating through strikes soon became his side bar responsibility.



Cliff did reserve some time for recreation. In bygone years of the local Stock Car Club, he and Dan built a unit that provided hours of terrifying “fun”. He also reached for a dream of traveling so he built a motor home. Cliff was always looking for a new step so created a cabin at Minnedosa Beach which lasted only to a cottage project close to Clear Lake was on his list. He also loved annual vacations across the world to Europe, the Caribbean, each province in Canada, most US states including Alaska and Hawaii. He loved cruises on which he counted on lots to eat and a total reprieve from driving.



Amid all these projects was the pride of having two sons, Brad and Scott. He loved the opportunity to have them on bikes, skidoos, motorcycles, and boats for waterskiing! He also supported their activities whether it be helping with soccer or driving them to music, YMCA, Scouts plus mechanical activities in the back yard with cars. He also served as a role model for their adult days by taking on turns at cooking and cleaning.



Cliff always wanted a daughter, and his wishes happily materialized with the arrival of Tracy and Jennifer as daughters-in law. Subsequently, with the arrival of Sierra, McKenna and Nyah, three granddaughters have surpassed his greatest wishes.



In addition to his sons Brad (Jennifer, Nyah) and Scott (Tracy, McKenna, Sierra (Jackson) ), and his partner, Pat, Cliff is also survived by sister and brother-in-law: Margie (Keith) Hannah and Robert ( Betty) Mowatt with their children and grandchildren. Numerous members of the Fardoe families are also part of his lineage.



He was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Annie Bowslaugh; Pat’s parents, Alex and Margaret Mowatt; infant sister Thelma, numerous cousins in the Fardoe families, Transit colleagues, several transit riders and precious friends.



Cliff has resided in Valleyview Care Home for the past three years where he and his family greatly appreciated the amazing attention offered by the staff. The care offered by Dr.Tegg and Dr.Large has extended his life beyond expectations as per his physical challenges. Thus, those who wish to contribute to ongoing medical research could do so via the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5; the Diabetes Association, #401 – 1 Wesley Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 4C6 or a place of your personal choice.



Cliff’s last plans include cremation and a funeral at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, Brandon, MB, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Reflecting on his great love of eating he has requested that a light lunch of fried chicken be on the luncheon menu. His family will be honouring his final wishes.

Condolences: www.memorieschapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 14, 2024, Sep 14, 2024