Obituary of William "Rae" Reid

REID: William Rae (November 25, 1915 — January 31, 2014). Rae Reid, at the age of 98, passed away peacefully in Rideau Park Personal Care Home, with family by his side. Rae was born at Isabella, Manitoba, where he spent his youth on the family farm. Farm life suited him well and he also enjoyed playing hockey and baseball. In 1940, Rae married Anne Graham and joined the Air Force in 1942. He trained as a Radio Operator and was stationed in Toronto, ON and then Victoria, B.C. After the war, he worked as a mechanic in the ship yards. In 1950, following the tragic death of his wife and three children, Rae came to Brandon with his two daughters. Rae always possessed a very strong work ethic and could do any job and do it well. He completed the psychiatric nursing program at the B.M.H.C. graduating with top honors in 1956, and was employed there for 25 years before retiring. In 1957, he married Jean Arthur and they shared many years of travelling, and spending summers at their Sandy Lake Cottage with family and friends. Golf and fishing were frequent activities they both enjoyed. Rae was an avid walker and gardener and was also fond of swimming, ice skating, cycling, bowling and curling. He was a very independent, private man but was always very willing to lend a hand wherever it was needed. Rae and Jean moved into Lions Manor in 1989 where they enjoyed a very active social life. He loved a good card game and was a sharp pool player. Jean passed away in 1993 following a stroke. In 1995, Rae and Gertrude Kenyan were married at the Lions Manor and continued enjoying the social life there. They made many trips to Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario visiting their families. In 2007, they moved into Victoria Landing and Gertrude passed away November 2013 in Winnipeg. Rae was also predeceased by his brother, Claude, and two grandchildren. He is survived by two daughters: Marlene (Tom) Carson, Leduc, AB, Janice (Jack) Jones, Brandon, MB; four grandchildren: Debbie (Murray) Haywood, Melanie Wilson, Paula (Wayne) Morris, Dave (Monica) Carson and six great grandchildren, sister-in-law Georgina Reid, two nieces and two nephews. The family would like to thank all the staff at Rideau Park Personal Care Home for their care and compassion during Rae's time there. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 16th, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, Brandon. A private family interment will follow in Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Rae may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5B7.