Obituary of Raymond Chapman

Chapman: Raymond Arthur. Peacefully, on the morning of July 4, 2013, Raymond (age 89), slipped away to be reunited with the love of his life, the late Edna (Wareham) Chapman and his dearly loved son, the late Murray Raymond Chapman. Raymond Arthur Chapman was born February 24, 1924, the fifth child, to Henry James (Jim) and Marjorie Chapman. Siblings: Mary, Jimmie, George, Albert, then Raymond and lastly Vernon. Raymond lived his whole life on the homeplace (NW 21-11-20, in the RM of Daly) that had been purchased and farmed by his father, Jim and Uncle Walter Chapman circa 1893. Sadly, Walter was lost in an accidental drowning at Kirkham's Bridge. The farm work was hard, but year after year, Raymond's father, Jim, ceaselessly demonstrated the work ethic that became forever ingrained in Raymond. Raymond thrived and excelled on the farm, which he took over when he brought his bride of June 3, 1948 (Edna Mae Wareham, daughter of Walter and Gertrude Wareham) home. A son, Murray Raymond, who was born May 5, 1949 at the Madden Nursing Home in Rivers, completed Raymond and Edna's happy family. Many wonderful years followed, with Edna fulfilling her passion for horses by training and showing the high-stepping Hackneys, Murray, learning the lessons of the farm with his very patient and skilled father, and the whole family taking part in the rich, community life of Harrow and Kirkham's Bridge District. Raymond often commented on the respect and deep regard he had for his friends and neighbours ('the great district that I live in"), and how lucky he felt having spent his life in his home area. Raymond loved to hunt, play ball, fish, play cards and inevitably, to unleash a plethora of never-ending harmless jokes on family and friends. Edna would pretend to admonish Raymond, but always was laughing while doing so ("Oh, Dad, you shouldn't have done that'!!). Murray grew up watching his father overcome obstacles that the farm presented to them, as Raymond would sketch out a tool or object that he needed, and then build or make to replace whatever was broken or missing. Raymond often joked that as he constructed any new buildings on the farm, Edna would be waiting with the paintbrush before they were hardly finished! Also, Raymond and Murray made and maintained all of the show buggies and carts, plus the horse trailer that Edna needed to transport and show her beautiful Hackneys. He humbly called himself, "just the water boy", but without his tireless support, her hobby would certainly have been more arduous. Murray asked Joan Dennis to be his wife, and they were to be married on July 25, 1970, preparing by moving a second home onto the home place. A week before their wedding was to take place, on July 18th, traveling to a family wedding in Winnipeg, Murray, Joan, and Edna's brother-in-law Glen McDonald's lives were taken in a tragic vehicle accident. Edna and her sister, Bernice McDonald were seriously injured, but thankfully survived. His brother, Albert, brought Raymond, who had remained home to work, the heartbreaking news. Raymond was bowed by his grief, but he turned his focus onto his wife, Edna, and together, with the help of family and friends, continued on toward a very different future. In 1972, Ray and Edna applied for adoption and welcomed into their home a nine-year-old son, Raymond Murray. Edna developed Alzheimer's in the 1980's, and Ray unselfishly devoted himself to caring for his wife with the help of home care, family and neighbours for Edna's remaining years. Edna passed away on April 23, 1998, and was laid to rest in the Brandon Cemetery beside Murray and Joan. After a celebration of his life on Tuesday, July 16th , 2013 held in the Brockie Donovan Funeral Chapel, followed by a reception at Prairie Oasis, Raymond was joined with his family. Even though Raymond faced many hardships in his life, his attitude remained very uplifting and positive. He chose to keep "the sunny side up" and often expressed his belief that "I'm still on the right side of the grass". His courage was never-ending, as due to age, farm accidents and developing medical issues, his ability to keep up the spit and polish of the farm became more and more difficult. Towards the last, he lived in constant pain, but still declared that he could manage to take care of himself and was planning all the "fixing up" he was going to do in the yard. He was concerned about others, and always felt that they needed the help far more than he did. He appreciated everything that was done to help him out. Raymond is survived by his chosen son Raymond (Lorna) and granddaughter Hunter; his brother, Albert Chapman and his sister-in-law, Bernice McDonald. He was pre-deceased by his sister Mary (Jim) McNee, brothers Jimmie (Helen), George (Isabelle), Vernon, and sister-in-law Harriet Chapman. Also predeceasing him were Edna's brothers Matt and Charlie (Nora) Wareham, sisters Marjorie (Joe) Zaharia, Eleanor (Jim) Kelly, Lillian (Al) Johnston, Rosa (Ruggles) Brown; brother-in-law Glen McDonald; nephews Donald Chapman, Thomas, Bernard, Donald Zaharia, and niece Beverly Zaharia. Uncle Ray was greatly loved by his many surviving nephews, nieces and their families: Pat Robinson, Bob McNee, Sherrill (Phil) Shields, Judy (Peter)Berntsen, Linda (Bill) Ringland, Lois (Gordon) Allen, Gordon (Betty--deceased) Zaharia, Wilfred (Sylvia) Zaharia, Eleanor (Colin) Sturge, Jim (Irene) Kelly, Bruce (Bev) Kelly, Doug (Sandie) Kelly, Gayle (Bert) Livingstone, Lynda Daniells, Ron Johnston, Darlynne (Doug--deceased) Smith, Audrey (Wayne) Keeler, Nelson (Anneke) Brown, Brenda (Allan) Hill, Mayvis (John) MacLellan and Carol (Jim) Fortune. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in memory of Raymond may be made to the Riverdale Community Centre, (Cheques made out to RRFRC), Box 667, Rivers, MB, R0K 1X0 or to a charity of one's choice. One of the last things Uncle Ray voiced was his belief that he would be reunited with Edna and Murray -- that they were waiting for him. May the love of God sustain them all in their eternal life together. Life's Work ~ well done!