Tim Hopkins (2015)
Tim was a long time member of the Wildwood Club and the WLTC. At the WC he was a member of the badminton section and joined the Sunday Morning Sinners. Every year he participated in the B & N tournament and in the summer he was part of the A & M golf tournament. He didn't play golf but he recorded the scores & collected money. He liked to be part of the group. He also became a badminton umpire & officiated at tournaments. Friday nights he & Prim could be found at the WC as it became their local as they would have done in Britain. At WLTC he was a part of the men's drop in league. He also participated in round robins & volunteered at the ITF tournaments. Last summer he started to volunteer with the archives committee. After most events he could be found in the 19th hole. If the serving staff saw him coming, by the time he sat down his beer was on the table in front of him. He was well liked by everyone. (Kathy MacKenzie)
Florence Christie (2014)
"Peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, completing 96 years of living. Florence leaves to cherish her memory her loving sons Doug (Patty) and Bruce (Lori), her grandchildren Celeste , Caroline, Michael and Katie, and her nephew John MacLaren, nieces Jackie and Margo MacLaren, Leslie Christie and more. ...
The greatest joy in Flo's life was her family and her favourite place to be was anywhere with them, especially the cottage at Lake of the Woods. It was at the lake where some of the fondest memories have been made and where Norm and Flo spent so many summers. An early feminist and an avid CBC Radio fan, Flo was always interested in world affairs, politics, sports, the arts and her alma mater, Wesley College, the University of Winnipeg. A quick mind earned Flo the Governor General's gold medal in 1935.
Flo's favourite sport was tennis. Flo was a regular at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club and played in a competitive ladies league at Taylor Tennis until age 88. Flo claimed her secret was learning sports growing up in Selkirk with her five siblings. It was working as a legal secretary where Flo met Norm to begin 54 years of married life together. Flo also worked at the Bank of Montreal and volunteered at the Victoria General Hospital for 36 years. We will remember Flo as an active, positive person whose terrific sense of wit and humour endeared her to all. ...
[Florence's obituary can be found here.]
Art Stinner (2014)
"ARTHUR OTTO STINNER B.Sc., B.A., B.Ed. (U. of Alberta), M.Sc. (York U.), D.Ed. (U. of Toronto) Professor Emeritus (U. of Manitoba) July 3, 1934 - May 29, 2014 Arthur Stinner, much-loved husband, father, opa, brother, colleague, teacher and friend, passed away after an extended illness on May 29, 2014 at Victoria General Hospital, five weeks before his 80th birthday, with family at his side. ....
Arthur had energy in abundance and a zest for life, with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge in many areas. He was a self-taught violinist and an aficionado of classical music and opera. On their many travels, he and Ann loved learning about the geography, people, history, arts, and cuisine of the places they visited. Arthur was also a tennis fanatic, playing for many years in two tennis clubs in Winnipeg. He had a soft spot for animals of all kinds, particularly stray cats, Leo and Rafa being the two most recent ones to join the household. Lately, he had become a fan of equestrian events and in the past year published articles on the physics of horse jumping, a fusion of two lifelong interests. Arthur was, at heart, a family man."
To learn more about Art's life, please visit his website http://www.arthurstinner.com.
Susan Griffiths (2013)
Most of you will have read or heard about Susan Griffiths through recent media reports. Up until the Spring of 2012 Susan was an active member at the tennis club and had been for years. Many of you know her very well; for those of you who don’t, perhaps you remember seeing this vibrant woman on her bicycle peddling madly into the club so as not to be late for her game.
Susan is a Grandmother, Mother and a dear friend to many. She lived a full active life until the diagnosis of Parkinsons Plus, Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), an incurable degenerative disease.
Susan is currently in Dusseldorf staying with one of her sons and his family. Towards the end of the month she will travel to Zurich, with family, where, under the supervision of a physician she will end her life.
Along with Susan’s many cultural activities playing tennis was an important and large part of her life. When Spring arrives to dry out the courts lets hit a winner for Susan.
We will miss her.
Judith Hall
Media Articles about Susan:
Below are messages from our members with a preface from Bill Rannard, our President.
“Dear Susan,
On behalf of your many friends at WLTC who didn’t have the opportunity to say good-bye as you embark on your final journey, we all wish that your few days with your family and friends in Europe will be filled with wonderful memories of a life well lived. Susan, we missed you last year at WLTC and we will continue to miss you including your cheerful greetings in the morning as you bicycled by us to join the ladies on court 8 or 9 for your tennis games. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Susan. ”
“Bill, Will you please tell Susan that I will really miss her smile, with all my love.”
“Bill, could you please tell Susan I will always remember her dressed in her lovely tennis whites, just like an angel. ”
“I am not sure what to add, except that I admire Susan as a very courageous and strong lady. She possesses the amazing conviction to follow through with an almost impossibly imagined difficult decision. I am thinking of Susan and her family.”
“Dear Susan, We will be thinking about you. We will miss you.”
“Our thoughts and hearts will be with Susan today and for many days to follow.”
“Susan - I pray that you will have courage and peace as you approach your final journey in life. Because of work, I was not able to play tennis in the morning and therefore I missed seeing you at WLTC. I do however, have a wonderful memory of a shared vacation at Silver Star many years ago - cross country skiing, sharing great moments in a fabulous home, nestled on the side of the mountain, and relaxing in the hot tub under the stars apres skiing. It’s a beautiful memory. Peace and adieu.”
“Susan, Thanks for the great tennis and “Breakfast at Wimbledon”! You’ll be missed.”
“Dear Susan, we didn’t get to play much tennis together, but I will remember the chats we had at Reh-Fit this winter and we will all miss your bubbly personality on the tennis courts. I applaud your decision to go public with this...You are so very brave. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”
“Dear Susan, I was very sorry to hear of your illness this week, while waking up to CBC News. I will miss not seeing you anymore at WLTC and Taylor. Though we weren’t close, I always felt a bond with you as a person who shared a love of tennis and I am very glad to have shared this part of my life with you. I find some small comfort in the knowledge that we are all part of the same whole, that we are all ONE. Some day soon, I look forward to our paths crossing once again in our journey toward that which surpasses all understanding. Until then, please accept my thoughts of love for you and your family.”
“Susan, You are the best. I remember how you pursued the tennis ball with great energy (and likewise the joys of life). On or off the courts you are the glamorous one. Thank-you for always remembering me on your spare list. I enjoyed all the games. You will be greatly missed at the club and other walks of life. The club will not be the same without you. When God created you in his special mold, it has seldom been used again. You are a very special person. ”
“Susan, thank you for your kindness, your laughter and, now especially, for your courage. You inspire me.”
“My thoughts are with Susan, Gareth, Dana and all the family during this difficult time. ”
[Susan's obituary can be found here.]
Florence Christie (2014)
FLORENCE CATHERINE CHRISTIE (nee MACLAREN) Peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, completing 96 years of living. Florence leaves to cherish her memory her loving sons Doug (Patty) and Bruce (Lori), her grandchildren Celeste , Caroline, Michael and Katie, and her nephew John MacLaren, nieces Jackie and Margo MacLaren, Leslie Christie and more. Predeceased by her husband, Norman and her five MacLaren siblings, Flo led an active life, adoring her grandchildren and enjoying an extensive network of friends. The greatest joy in Flo's life was her family and her favourite place to be was anywhere with them, especially the cottage at Lake of the Woods. It was at the lake where some of the fondest memories have been made and where Norm and Flo spent so many summers. An early feminist and an avid CBC Radio fan, Flo was always interested in world affairs, politics, sports, the arts and her alma mater, Wesley College, the University of Winnipeg. A quick mind earned Flo the Governor General's gold medal in 1935. Flo's favourite sport was tennis. Flo was a regular at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club and played in a competitive ladies league at Taylor Tennis until age 88. Flo claimed her secret was learning sports growing up in Selkirk with her five siblings. It was working as a legal secretary where Flo met Norm to begin 54 years of married life together. Flo also worked at the Bank of Montreal and volunteered at the Victoria General Hospital for 36 years. We will remember Flo as an active, positive person whose terrific sense of wit and humour endeared her to all. A special thanks and appreciation to the wonderful caring staff at Pembina Place. A loving thanks to St. Paul's Anglican Church whose prayers and gestures of thoughtfulness were a constant support. If friends desire, a donation to honour Florence can be made to Winnipeg Children's Hospital 501-840 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg, MB. R3A9Z9. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2014
Barry Ursell (2011)
It is with deep regret that I am writing to inform you that our Treasurer, Barry Ursell passed away on November 30th, 2011 at the age of 94. He was a valued member of the Board of WLTC and will be missed by all who were privileged to work with him and by our many members who have known and played with Barry on the tennis or badminton courts.
Bill Rannard - President WLTC
[Barry's obituary can be found here.]
Gerhard (Gerry) Labies (2004)
On October 6, 2004, after a courageous battle with cancer, Gerry died peacefully at Riverview Health Centre. Gerry was born in Friedeberg, Germany on January 26, 1927. In 1953, he arrived in Manitoba, where he became a teacher in Fort Garry, teaching history at Vincent Massey Collegiate. He married his bride Traudel in 1954 and had a daughter Helen in 1959.
Gerry was an enthusiastic tennis player and also devoted much energy to the development of officiating in the sport. An early highlight of his work as an official was his appointment to the position of Referee of the 1973 Canadian National Championships. He was responsible for the training and supervision of a large group of umpires needed for the 1999 Pan Am Games. For this work he was given a Tennis Canada Distinguished Service Award.
Al Skaleter (2002)
"Allan was an avid tennis player, a longtime member of the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club, winning many tournaments - among them, Al and Glad won the mixed doubles in 1967. Allan won the 65 age category in 1977 in the Canadian Nationals."
The bench at the WLTC is in memory of Al.
[Al's obituary can be found here.]
Lloyd Borland (1995)
Lloyd (left) presenting to Geoff Dyer
Lloyd was a fixture in Manitoba tennis for decades developing many junior tennis players along the way. Lloyd led tennis at the Wildewood Club until 1962 when the courts became a curling rink. In 1972, Lloyd was instrumental in getting WLTC moved from its location at Roslyn Road to its present day location.
Lloyd was inducted into the Tennis Manitoba Hall of Fame in 2008. More on Lloyd can be found on the Tennis Manitoba website.
George Felstead
A post-war WLTC tennis champion. You can read more about George on Our History page.
More coming soon.
Alex Woloschuk (2013)
ALEX WOLOSCHUK September 18, 1926 - May 16, 2013 The Kusko Family Announce the passing of their beloved uncle Alex fell asleep in the Lord on May 16, 2013 at 9:45 a.m. at the Victoria General Hospital peacefully during his morning nap. He joins his adored mother Eucdoxia and dear sister and brother Doris and Paul. Alex was born in the Ukraine the youngest of three children. When he was six months old his father went to Canada and he was raised by his mother until her death in 1935. He lived alone with his sister Doris, and brother Paul in the family home, becoming the three "musketeers" doing all they could to help each other survive. In 1939 his father brought them to his farm in Saskatchewan. Alex went to school and helped on the farm. Unable to continue his schooling, he joined his brother and sister in Winnipeg, living with his sister and her family until 1969. On arrival in Winnipeg Alex started working at Maple Leaf foods with his brother. He moved on to work as a furrier. Supported by his sister he studied electronics. He became a dedicated employee, until his retirement, for CN/CP telecommunications across Canada, finally settling in Winnipeg full time. When he retired he travelled to every corner of the world. In later years he became a "snowbird" going to Hawaii, Texas and Mexico. His most memorable trip was back to his village in the Ukraine to see the "family" home and erect a headstone at his mother's grave. He became a vegetarian and enjoyed running marathons, tennis, badminton and regular workouts at the Asper Centre with his good friend Rudy. He was also a member of the Canoe Club. When his sister became ill, he stopped travelling to be there for her. He suffered a stroke on the same day his sister had one in March 2012 and the day after her funeral Alex went into a coma. Although he recovered from that, heart, stroke and repeated chest infections, plagued and weakened him and he finally succumbed to his illnesses. Always remembering his hardships in early years, Alex was generous not only to family and friends but also to anyone in need. During his sister's illness he developed a special closeness to her daughter Jean and her family enjoying many happy family times together. He will be greatly missed by his niece Jean, her husband John, and their children Laura and goddaughter Diane. He also leaves his nieces Bonnie (Frank) Krauthaker, Marianne (Greg) Hodges and his nephew Paul (Melody) Woloschuk, cousins Carl and Mike Sptykowsky and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Eudoxia Spytkowska and Theodore Woloszczuk, sister Doris and her husband John, brother Paul and his wife Mary. A very special "Thank You" to cousin Carl for his frequent calls and kind support, to Alex's exceptional friends Rudy Schilling, Anne Klein and Annette Thiessen for not forgetting Alex and visiting regularly, as well as the many friends from all over who kept in touch by phone like Sheila Hassain and Nick Yarema. I know he appreciated everyone's concern even though he never told you and I certainly did! "Thank You" to the staff of the Victoria General Hospital, especially on 5N, for the concern and wonderful care you gave our beloved uncle. Jean Kusko. Pallbearers will be nephews John Kusko, Greg Hodges, Jim Kirkness and special friends Rudy Schilling, Dan Bourgouin and Peter Kaminski. A Funeral Service officiated by Reverend Father Alexander Harkavyj, will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Vichnaya Pam'Yat...Memory Eternal CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-586-8044
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on May 18, 2013