Paul Thwaites
PAUL THWAITES
December 31, 1952 – March 22, 2024
The family of Paul Thwaites is saddened to announce his sudden passing at home in Silver Ridge, Manitoba on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Paul was born in McCreary, Manitoba December 31, 1952. He attended school in Bluff Creek, Alonsa and completed his schooling at Amaranth School. He spoke very fondly of the time spent on the family farm growing up with four brothers and two sisters. Learning many of the lessons that he carried throughout his life such as hard work, honesty, humility, and dedication to family.
Paul would first venture to Northern Manitoba at the young age of 16 in search of work. He spent the next five years following work throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. He married Barb Zalluski in 1973 and welcomed daughter Pamela in 1974. In 1979 he settled with his young family in The Pas, Manitoba and would welcome daughter Paula in 1980. Paul would remain in The Pas until 2022.
Throughout his career, Paul worked with his brothers drywalling, mechanic work from his shop at Bracken Dam and eventually would become a heavy equipment operator. In the early 1990’s he started his own heavy equipment and construction company, PB Industries, and would excel in this endeavor. Paul was known for his talent in the heavy equipment industry, often called upon in emergency situations. He provided work that was vital to the success of many different industries throughout Northern Manitoba. He gained the respect and friendship of many during his career.
Paul was dedicated to his daughters Pamela and Paula, making sure they had everything they needed and wanted. This included many years of feeding “Hay Burners” and driving miles from horse show to horse show every summer without complaint. He would be a calming force, steady influence and the voice of reason to Pam and Paula throughout their lives.
In 1998, Paul met his beloved Melody Needham. They built a life based on love, hard work, shared passion for the outdoors and adventure. Paul and Mel would have twenty-five years together where they travelled, built their dream home, and spent many days and nights at the cabin on Petersen Lake. During this time 13 grandchildren would join the family and many memories of grandpa were made.
Paul spent the past few years on the family farm enjoying every moment of living a simple life. Taking care of the yard, planting crops, working in the garage, fishing, and getting ready for hunting season. There was always at least one project on the go with another one or two in the planning stage. He enjoyed the company that would converge on the family farm during the summer. Hunting season was a special time for him that involved spending time with grandchildren, sons-in-laws and daughters.
Paul was predeceased by mother Alida Thwaites, father Douglas Thwaites and the love of his life Melody Needham.
Paul will be deeply and forever missed by daughters Pamela (Dwayne) and Paula (Chris) and grandchildren Robin, Matthew, Adam, Gabrielle, Alexandra, Griffin, and Bryant. Cherishing many memories of Paul are Mel’s children; Terra (Shane), Marla (Cory), Brad, Jill (Dallas) and grandchildren Carter, Aiden, Madi, Zoe, Liam and Dane. As a middle child from a family of seven, Paul will be greatly missed by siblings Herman (Muriel), Liz (Ray), Rose, Sandy (Jane), Peter (Yvonne), Walter (Sandy) and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in The Pas on Saturday May 18th, 2024 from 1:00pm-3:00pm. A Gathering of Family and Friends at the Thwaites Family Farm in Silver Ridge will be held on Saturday July 6th (alternate arrangements will be made in case of rain). In Lieu of Flowers please consider donating or volunteering for Heart and Stroke Foundation: www.HeartandStroke.ca
Paul’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.
ETHICAL DEATH CARE
Cremation & Life Celebrations
530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg
204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com
Memories, Stories and Condolences
Please share a story, photo, memory or condolence for the family by completing the form below and clicking "Post Comment"
Thank you for your comment!
3 Comments
↑ Both fields are required ↓
Anonymous
May 10, 2024 at 9:21 AM
I came to meet and know Paul and Mel at the lake. They both became friends of mine and I will miss them both daily. I am so shocked with the news of the loss of Paul. I had received a text message from him the evening of the 20th.
I am happy knowing that Paul and Mel are together again watching over us and.. probably shaking their heads at me…
He was such a genuinely kind and generous person, Peterson Lake will never be the same again.
RIP Paul, see you on the other side.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Ang Bakker (Rogers)
May 9, 2024 at 4:25 PM
My deepest condolences to our life long friends, Pam and Paula you have been in my thoughts along with the entire Thwaites family. I walked along the memory path of my times with all of you over the course of my entire life these past few weeks and have so many fond memories of visits to The Pas, times at the beach, our cabin, your dad and my dad and the years of shenanigans they got up to. I will be forever grateful for the visits I had with him at the Alonsa reunion last summer and the photo of our dads I thought to take. Much love
Vern Richardson
May 9, 2024 at 4:08 PM
I met Paul in The Pas and quickly became close friends and spent many evenings running bingos with the Horse club. He over saw the building of the huge riding arena for the Horse Club, a massive under taking. We had a lot of parties as well, I remember Paul did not like turning forty but he went on to live another life time. We will miss you Paul our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image