LLOYD ALEXANDER ABEL

Lloyd Alexander Abel, 70, passed away on January 30th, 2023. 

Lloyd was born November 2, 1952 in Minnedosa, MB. He was raised in the Cameron district just outside of Minnedosa, Manitoba where he spent his early years on the family farm. His childhood was filled with farm chores, feeding livestock and field work, spending time with friends and close cousins and riding his horse. At the age of 16 he left school to work odd jobs around Manitoba before ending up in Winnipeg in 1969 to pursue a career in the mechanical contracting field. He would return to the farm and help with seeding and harvest whenever his help was needed. 

His mechanical career started with Winnipeg Supply, moved to ABCO Mechanical and then co-owned Abel-Madsen Mechanical. In 1987, he opened his own family business D.L.F. Mechanical which started in the living room at his home on Knowles Ave until converting the garage into a cozy office space. Having the business brought flexibility and a family vibe, he even made sure his children learned proper business etiquette learning how to answer phones, taking messages effectively and learning the newest computer program. He took his children out to job sites and showed them to thread and hang pipe, clean boilers and weld. 

With the business growing and changing Lloyd discovered how to "work remotely" prior to retirement; technology enabled him to take advantage of operating his business without having to be in the office. He would answer his call forwarded phone, via boat or all-terrain vehicle and give an answer like "I'll have my secretary dig that up for you" or "I don't have those drawings in front of me right now and will have to get back to you"! Some were lucky enough to get a reply saying where he actually was, with an invite to join him. Life was just too short to fish or hunt only on the weekend! The business remained Lloyd’s life work until his son Brad took it over in 2013.

Lloyd played hockey as a child and when his children were old enough, he made sure they were out on the ice learning to skate. Lloyd coached his son’s hockey team and enjoyed watching and interacting with the players while on the bench. He was a co-organizer of the Golden Boy hockey tournament for many years. He enjoyed the challenge of volunteering that went along with the organization and meeting other parents that had the same love for the sport and the joy of seeing the children play with such determination. 

Lloyd enjoyed downhill skiing, making many trips out to Minnedosa Ski Valley, where his family all learned to ski. After some crashes on the hill and some gained confidence, he upgraded the challenge and took the family on trips to experience the mountains during several winter school breaks. He even took a Grey Hound bus to chaperone his family and a bus load of his children’s friends down to Giant’s Ridge for a few years in a row until they were old enough to do that adventure on their own.

Lloyd loved the outdoors. Snowmobiling, fishing (open water and ice), boating, wave maker for tubing, quading, skiing (water and winter), and camping were just a few of his favourites. It was important to him to share his love of it with his family and friends; and it didn’t matter who showed up, accommodations were made so everyone was included and fed. Many memories of camping and fishing were made and will be remembered on Quesnel Lake, Black Lake, Lake of the Prairies, Siften Beach, and Lake of the Woods. 

He spent many years hunting deer, moose, elk, geese, and ducks mostly around his hometown of Minnedosa. It was always an adventure with Lloyd, no excursion ever went according to plan, but he made sure he packed a cast iron frying pan to cook a shore or “stuck in the bush” lunch hopefully with fresh catch, no one ever starved. Lloyd’s grandchildren brought new joy to fishing as he would make every fishing trip a family competition saying, "5 bucks for the one who catches the biggest fish". This help keep their interest a little while longer so the perfect day didn’t end.

Lloyd enjoyed many years of dancing and music at Dauphin's Country Fest. He would meet up with new and old friends for lots of laughs and storytelling often over his delicious BBQ; he’d always make enough for everyone who would stop by his site. 

Lloyd was a proud member of the Minnedosa Legion for over 50 years. He spent many Fridays at the Legion meat draws, catching up with friends, and family. Also attending the Legion Remembrance Day suppers, in honour of his father Alec.

Lloyd’s most recent project was his upcoming wedding to Gabriele Deakin. He was excited to have his friends and family together and was busy planning the venue and of course the big decision of what caterer to use for such a big celebration. Lloyd and Gabriele were set to be married on August 5, 2023. 

Left to cherish his memories are his children MarlyRae (Brennan), Klint (Chantel), Kerrie, and Brad (Christy); his fiancé Gabriele Deakin and her children Allan (Quinn), and Jade (Shirley). Along with 10 grandchildren Leland, Samaira, Isabelle, Delaney, Fallyne, Hustyn, Keegan, Brigham, Brielle, and Lia; his sister Margaret Wareham (Clayton); sister-in-law Brenda Abel(Barry); brother Barry Abel(Carlos); Aunt Doris McNabb; Aunt Margaret Gibson, many nieces, nephews, cousins; and his best friend Brian Harrison. He will be missed by many other friends and colleagues. Lloyd was predeceased by his dad and mom, Alec & Verna Abel, and his brother Murray Abel.

"Life is just a series of obstacles preventing you from fishing" Fish on Lloyd and keep your tip up we know where you'll be, and we will see your wake as you drive away.

The family will follow through with Lloyd's wishes to be buried at the Minnedosa cemetery in the spring near his mom, dad, and brother. A graveside service and celebration of life are being planned for Saturday May 6th, 2023 in Minnedosa, MB. 

Lloyd's family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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