THOMAS (TOM) HENRY TOWN

It is with great love and sadness the Town family announces the passing of Tom, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. 

Tom passed away 46 days after his wife’s death. It was obvious he missed Grace after 74 years of marriage and he wanted to join her again. 
 

As a youngster Tom worked for Fineman’s Grocers, delivering groceries and stocking shelves. He delivered the Free Press, worked at Joe’s Fruit, Feedright Central Grain, and a car repair shop at Broadway and Sherbrooke. The money he made went to support the family and pay for his YMCA membership.

For 2 summers at 16 and 17 years of age, he worked on a farm (Fred & Eva Sherris’) north of Brandon area.

Tom and Grace met in 1946. She was working at the Football Stadium restaurant (GWL land). They started dating and married in 1948. 
 

At 20 he started with the CNR where he worked for 24 years; first on “student trips”, then as a Fireman, and finally as a Locomotive Engineer. He took “dead” engines out west, “work trains” up north (The Pas, Hudson Bay, Churchill, Gillam), and was involved in a head on collision at Finger Lake (not his fault!).

Tom and Grace started in Real Estate in 1973 with Checkerboard Realty, then Canada Trust and finally opened his own company, Town Real Estate. He continued to sell Real Estate until he closed the company in 2014 at the age of 87. In 1974 he started Home Replacement Insurance Agency, a holding company for land. They enjoyed selling houses to people that could make them homes. Subsequently, Tom received his Appraisers Certification. They were very successful selling houses and buying some to rent. 

Tom built his own house on Brandon Avenue in 1949 and moved the old one to Nutimk Lake where he added on to make a larger cottage.

He was very handy. He was able to fix most anything- cars, motors, carpentry (a gene that skipped a generation or 2). Tom never threw anything out. There could be a use for it.

Nutimik Lake cottage from 1956 to 1970 was a place for fun with family (his brother and his family and many other relatives) and friends. The Sept. long weekend was a time for YMCA friends to go to Nutimik, play games, cards, and party. Lots of wonderful memories.

Tom was a YMCA member for 50+ years. He started when he was 12 years old. Tom was a Senior Leader, a Board Member, including Board Chairman. He played basketball (Vaughn Street Tigers), was a SCUBA Diver, taught swimming, SCUBA diving and Snorkeling. On the basketball court he was like a bull in a china shop. Finesse was not a part of his skill set. But he was a great teammate to have on your side. 

Tom and Grace had many trips through The Y – Banff, Jasper- Leaders Conferences. SCUBA diving at West Hawk Lake – both summer and ice dives in the winter.

Tom was a founding member of the Manitoba Underwater Council. Tom made many friends in Winnipeg and the United States because of his diving interests. He was also involved with the Association of Canadian Underwater Council (ACUC) as a founding member and secretary. 

Tom and Grace were regular participants at Friday Night Sports, a Coed Y activity group. They were also very involved with friends who met regularly at each other’s homes for Square Dancing. They would move the furniture, roll up the carpets, put the LPs on the high fi and have a real Ho Down. 

Tom & Grace loved to travel and would save to ensure they could enjoy vacations. Their trips included Jamaica, Cuba, (where they would SCUBA dive and snorkel) Mexico, Europe, the USA and many parts of Canada. Their favourite spot was Hawaii. They purchased Timeshares and went to Honolulu and Maui over 30 years. The last vacation was Christmas 2013 with his wife, son, daughter in law, grandchildren and their partners, wonderful memories for all.

In 1970 Tom and Grace built another house in Grand Pointe area. They had a huge summer garden with plenty of vegetables they shared with family and friends. For many years they would host a corn roast. They enjoyed a good party. 

Tom could be tough, abrupt, and abrasive. But he was also kind, considerate and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was always willing to help friends and sometimes they took advantage of his good nature. For his immediate family, he was always there; willing to help in any way possible.

Tom supported the Red Cross and gave well over 100 blood donations.

Tom and Grace loved living in the country. They managed to stay there for many years until they moved into an apartment in Winnipeg. A few years later they moved to Assisted Living until Tom needed more support and was placed in Meadowood Manor Personal Care Home. Grace moved into Independent Living at the attached Tower so they could be close and see each other regularly. Grace would visit Tom 2 and 3 times a day until she fell and broke her shoulder Sept 5 and was in the hospital until she passed away. Tom missed Grace immensely and his health deteriorated rapidly when he was no longer able to see her. 

There were many things in life that Tom enjoyed thoroughly. His years at The Y, selling Real Estate with Grace, the many trips he was able to snorkel and scuba dive, get togethers with friends and spending time with his family. During the last years he would regularly reiterate how he had a wonderful life.

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He never expected to live as long as he did. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Meadowood Manor Personal Care Home for their compassion and support. 

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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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