ARCHIBALD (ARCHIE) TAWNS

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ARCHIBALD (ARCHIE) TAWNS February 21, 1920 - October 17, 2000 Married nearly 62 years, as Dad would have said, "to the same woman," Joyce, the love of his life. Early in their marriage, he served more than five years overseas during the Second World War, making many personal sacrifices and earning five combat medals during that time. Dad worked in the trucking and sales industry most of his life. He was Fleet and Lease Manager at Stern GMC Trucks for 15 years, joint owner of Superior Trucking and General Manager at Chrysler Truck Center. He was active in the community with East Kildonan Kiwanis Club. For many years he was involved at HMCS Chippawa (NAVY) even though he had been ARMY. The annual Kiwanis Club dinners and Chippawa Corn Roasts were held in our backyard for many years. Dad was also an avid boater. He always had a boat at our dock. He was a member of the Royal Manitoba Yacht Club, becoming Commodore in 1969 and in 1971, upon retirement, Club Manager. During his eight year tenure, club membership swelled and the club prospered. In 1978 Mom and Dad decided the cold country was no place to retire. They applied for visas and in April, Mom and Dad moved to Fort Lauderdale. For the first several years they owned a small apartment complex to ease into retirement, then a home in Bonaventure and finally a condo on the water in Pompano Beach where Dad served on the Condo Board for several years. Dad loved to sit on the balcony and watch all the boat traffic. Dad had a heart of gold. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He also helped many wayward souls during his life. We always had extras at our table for holiday meals. Our dad loved animals and had a few special ones during his life - Chipper, Ringo and Tanya. Dad will be sadly missed by his loving wife Joyce and his four daughters, Linda (Randy St. Germain), Diane Epsen, Julie (Mark and Matt Rogers), Susan (Wayne and Ron Kurian) as well as Dianes fiance Kris Olson and his "almost adopted" son, Eugene Peter, all in Florida; and his grandson Gregg Tawns (Darlene and Crystal Wingie) of Winnipeg, Man. We love you Dad! In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2000