Thomas Peel "Tom" Howie

Thomas "Tom" Peel Howie

Peacefully, on Tuesday, September 30th, 2003 at the Portage District General Hospital, Thomas Peel Howie, a long time resident of Portage la Prairie and formerly of Poplar Point, Manitoba, beloved husband of Bernice Howie passed away at the age of 85 years.

Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel of the Omega Funeral Home at 1:30 P.M.on Friday, October 3, 2003 with the Reverend Jean Bryden officiating.

Interment will follow at a later date.

Tom was born on September 16, 1918, son of James and Georgina Howie in the Pleasant Point District. At the age of 6 years the family moved to Carberry where he was raised and received his education. He was then employed in elevator construction as well as helping his dad operate the Reliance Elevator at Carberry. In 1940 he moved to Oakland where he operated the elevator. On April 30, 1941 he married his high school sweetheart Bernice Currie and they moved to Portage la Prairie. The same year he enlisted with the Canadian Army, serving in Canada and overseas in Central Europe. He received his discharge from the Canadian Army in 1946. He then operated the Pool Elevator at Poplar Point for 38 years retiring in 1983. The same year they moved to reside in Portage la Prairie. Here he was employed with the Manitoba Crop Insurance program for eight years.

Tom was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65. In his younger years he enjoyed playing ball and hockey. Later he became an avid curler and was an honorary life member of the High Bluff Curling Club, a charter member of the Poplar Point Curling Club and a life time member of the Portage Curling Club. He enjoyed puttering around his home and yard and gardening, often boasting about his tomatoes.

Predeceased by his parents, son Lee in 1997, daughter Betty Ann Palmer in 1976, a daughter in infancy, sister Kathleen MacLaggan, he leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 62 years, Bernice, his son Scott (Isabelle), twin grandsons Clinton & Carl, grandchildren Sean (Annette), Cory (Cecile), great grandchildren Cyle, Chantel, Chelsey, Samantha and Tyler. Also surviving are 2 brothers: Glenn of Brandon, Keith of Portage, several nieces, nephews and special girl; Glynnis of Red Deer, Alberta.

He will be sadly missed by his pet dog Muffin.

Should friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Friends may leave a message and sign the register at our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com “Where life stories live on.”

WHEN I MUST LEAVE YOU When I must leave you for a little while, Please do not grieve and shed wild tears, And hug your sorrow to you through the years, But start out bravely with a gallant smile, And for my sake and in my name Live on and do all the things the same Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer, And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near, And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky.