Carmon "Red" Ahrensback

Mr. Carmon Eric "Red" Ahrensback, 83 years, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Born in Alida, Saskatchewan on October 3, 1929, Red grew up in Maryfield, Saskatchewan, a place that remained dear to his heart. Although of Danish heritage, Red always proclaimed himself as a proud Canadian. Known as "Dutchie" and "Applecart" in grade school, he was an intelligent, active, energetic, well-liked young man whose love of sports followed him throughout his life. Red was competitive in hockey, baseball, curling, and golfing. Although he excelled academically, he pursued hockey and baseball at every chance.His family moved to Winnipeg in 1941, where he played for the West End Athletics for 4 years. Returning to Maryfield after the war, Red completed high school and against his father's wishes continued to make hockey his vocation. Eventually, he made his way back to Winnipeg and then to Pine Falls, where he was employed at the Hudson's Bay Company. As fate would have it, he met the love of his life, Beverley, at a Valentine's Dance. Red and Bev married in 1952 and remained in Pine Falls. Red continued to play hockey for the Paper Kings, coach hockey, work in the mill, curl, and later, manage the Pine Falls Golf Club as the pro, hosting many unforgettable golf tournaments and events.In December of 1966, Red took a job as a sales representative with Lockport Felts, and moved his family to Port Arthur, Ontario. Over the course of his sales career, Red made contacts that turned into life-long friendships and his reputation to deliver a good product was impeccable. Red was an active member of the Fort William Country Club and the Fort William Curling Club, where he and his team captured the Senior Men's Championship and represented Northwestern Ontario in the curling play downs.Red had an excellent sense of humour and loved to laugh. Over the years, Red and Bev travelled together, playing in curling bonspiels and golf tournaments throughout Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota. They enjoyed their life together wherever they went. If there was a hospitality room, you would hear Red's voice over the crowd and if there was a piano to be found, you could be sure Bev would be playing and leading everyone in a sing-along. If you were lucky, you might even get Red yodelling - another hidden talent. He loved country music - Johnny Cash and all the greats - anything with a twang - and enjoyed westerns - John Wayne and Clint Eastwood never failed in his books. He loved reading books about war, politics, golf and hockey greats. Red was never afraid to voice his opinion, a trait he was successful at passing on to his children. Always a "take charge" kind of guy, if Red organized an event, you knew it would be a huge success.In 2010, Red's hockey team, the Pine Falls Paper Kings, were inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame - an honour he was truly proud of. Red took a well-deserved retirement at 65 and began travelling with Bev to visit friends and family, golf, curl and just enjoy life. At age 73, Red had quadruple-bypass surgery in Sudbury and fully recovered from it. Four years later, Red suffered a stroke, from which he regained full use and after a week of being contained in a hospital, checked himself out and took a cab home. At age 80, Red quit driving his car but not before he took his driver's licence test just to prove he could do it. Red's decline in health due to a stroke resulted in hospitalization and making the transition to long-term care. The family would like to thank the nursing and medical staff of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Roseview Manor and the EMS paramedics.Red is survived by his children, Christopher, Patricia (Gord), Jon, and Andrew (Larry); his sister, Eva (David) Stewart of Sault Ste. Marie; and nephews, Pat (Jamie) and Eric (Cara) Stewart, sister-in-law Gale Lindenthaler of White Rock, B.C. and nephews, Don and Scott Lindenthaler, He was predeceased by his parents, Sigurd and Emma Ahrensback; his brother-in-law Steve Lindenthaler; and his bride of nearly 60 years, Beverley in April of 2012.Cremation has taken place and a private family celebration of Red's life will follow at a later date. If friends so desire, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Diabetes Association are appreciated.Valhalla has welcomed two new residents - Red and Bev- and if you listen closely,you will hear the piano playing and Red yodelling.Dad and Mom, we love you and miss you."