Obituary of Merv Dillabough

DILLABOUGH: Merv Dillabough of Brandon, MB, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, MB on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the age of 73 years. Donald (Merv) Dillabough was born in Minnedosa, MB on November 6, 1937, eldest son of Sam and Bessie Dillabough. He was raised and educated in his home town, and after completing his schooling went to work for the CPR in 1955. It was in the following year that he joined the staff of J.A. Burgess and Sons, taking up the trade as a meat cutter. 1957 found Ken Burgess bringing Merv to Brandon with him to open Burgess Solo Store on 6th Street. It was here that Merv met Gloria (Arbuthnott) and in July of 1961 their marriage began and lasted almost 50 years. They were blessed with three children - Marci, Rhonda and Allan, who have brought much love and joy to them throughout the years. In 1960, to further his career, Merv joined the staff of Canada Safeway. He spent 17 years with the company working his way through the management ranks to a final position as District Manager. While with Safeway, Merv and his family lived in several locations including Dryden, ON, Sault Ste. Marie ON and Winnipeg, MB. Merv left Canada Safeway in the fall of 1977, taking a food consulting position with Westfair Foods (Loblaws). He spent 1 ½ years with the company and it was at this time that they put together the Super Valu Store concept now known as Superstore. Merv opened Westfair Foods first Super Valu store in Saskatoon, SK. Inspired by former Brandonite Laddie Hutchison, Merv became an Associated Dealer with Canadian Tire, and purchased his first store in Deep River, Ontario in May of 1980. Three years later, Merv and family moved to St. John's, NL where he opened a brand new store. It was during this time that daughter Rhonda found her Craig, and son Allan found his Darlene and first grandson Greg was born to Marci and Vince. In 1988, Merv was offered the opportunity to move "Home" to Brandon after being gone for 24 years. Merv played and enjoyed most sports with his favourites being golf, baseball and curling. He umpired minor ball in the Brandon City Leagues during 1958-1959, then started Manitoba SeniorBall in the spring of 1960. Between 1960-1965, he did most of home plate umpiring for both the Brandon Cloverleafs and the Riverside Blues. Merv curled on the Club Champions Team of both the Old Wheat City Curling Club 1959 and the Brandon Club of 1962. Their team won the 1959 Eatons Event, losing the Grand Aggregate to the Jim Williamson rink. Merv loved each community in which he lived, and always wanted to give back by becoming involved in various organizations. After returning home to Brandon he served on the Brandon Economic Development Board, the Brandon Area Foundation Board, became Chairman of the Brandon Kiwanis Club, and was chairperson for 5 years on the Helping Hands Board, along with being Vice-President of the Canadian Tire Dealers Association Board. Merv was a loyal supporter of the YMCA and was very honoured in 2002 to be presented with the YMCA Peace Metal. Perhaps his greatest achievement came in 2004 when he was recognized by Canadian Tire with the Award of Excellence, given annually to the top store in each of the company's three Canadian divisions. The award signified a dealer who operated a store at the highest level. Merv felt very honoured when presented with a life membership, from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and equally pleased with the Base Commanders Commendation from the Canadian Forces Base Shilo. Any recognition of service to the community brought Merv great happiness, including being chosen as the Business Person of the Year in 1995 by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and recognized in 1999 with the Volunteer Award for Manitoba Business for outstanding Promotion of Volunteerism. In 2003, he proudly and humbly accepted recognition of his years of Dedicated Service to the Impoverished and Needy of Westman by the Board of Directors of Helping Hands Centre of Brandon. Merv lived life to the fullest, especially enjoying time spent at the Clear Lake cottage, or on the golf course with his good friends. Many a laugh was shared wherever Merv was found, often over coffee at "Timmies" or at the Town Centre after a morning workout in the fitness centre. Merv thoroughly enjoyed his seven years of retirement, and always found time to visit at Canadian Tire just to see how things were going, and to have a chat with staff and customers. He also looked forward to the winter months when he was among the first to pick up his season tickets for the Wheat King games. Kelly surely realized that he had another assistant coach shouting from section 19. Merv also looked forward, with great anticipation, to the week of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, where he found great pleasure mingling with fairgoers, participants and Board members. The highlight of the week was the Thursday night Heavy Horse Event when he proudly rode atop the wagon of the winning team for a victory lap. Merv was predeceased by his parents Sam and Bessie Dillabough, and by in-laws Bob and Anne Arbuthnott. He leaves with many wonderful and treasured memories his wife Gloria, daughters Marci (Vince), Rhonda (Craig), son Allan (Darlene), and grandchildren Greg, Lindsay, Brad, Taylor, Jordyn, Robyn and little Jayden. A private interment was held at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, followed by a Service of Remembrance at Central United Church on January 26, 2011. Active Pallbearers were Craig and Brad Pardy, Vince and Greg Crisanti, Shawn de Delley and Stuart Cruse. Merv's life was definitely a "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY"!