White, Frederick Edgerton

White: Frederick Edgerton White was born on June 22,1932 in Souris, Manitoba, to Gordon and Luella White of Hartney, Manitoba.  Fred passed away on March 17, 2017 in his 85^th year. He grew up primarily on the family farm east of Hartney and also spent some time in Dauphin.  He has one sister, Janice McBrien (Bill) of Hartney.

Fred married Marion (Rae) of Napinka, Manitoba, on December 28, 1953. Of this union came four children, 8 granddaughters, 4 step grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren,  8 step great grandchildren: Dennis (Margaret Masson): Carla McCrae (Joe Cabral ) Savannah and Brianna; Stacy Knight (Jamie) Rylynne and Hailey; Richael  MacDonald (Brent) Tristan and Avery; Rhonda Rudneski (Chris Jebb) Braydon, Lane and Elizabeth; Kirsten Kirkup (Jeff) Kaden and Conner; Kelvin Fry (Olga Wins); Darrell (Ruth Scott): Amanda Cervo (Clinton) and Ella (Chris Madelaine); Gordon (Rosalie Grade): Fiona Kliever (Kirk) Aurora, Kale and Thatcher; Allison Flinn (Derek) Vincent; Alanna White (Johnathan Tamar) Johnathan, Theodore, Arianna and Edison; Janice Houle (John Jasper): Anita. Fred was predeceased by his parents Gordon and Luella White.

He attended school in Hartney as well as Brandon College. After graduation, Fred left for the north where he was employed by the Yellowknife Transportation Company, Ltd., from 1953-1956. He was initially employed as a mechanic’s helper and due to his mechanical ability was promoted as an engineer on vessels that transversed the MacKenzie River Basin as in Slave River, Great Slave Lake, and the Mackenzie River and its tributaries of the Northwest Territories. During the off season, he overhauled and repaired diesel and gasoline engines in the shop. Fred worked for the Department of Fisheries from 1956-1959 after which he worked as an engineer for Northern Affairs. From 1959-1967, he was employed by the Northern Administrative Affairs and Northern Development. In 1963, Fred was appointed as Area Development Officer for the Pine Point Development Area, NWT. In 1964, Fred and his family moved to Ottawa where he attended a university course prior to his appointment as area administrator.

As a community minded person, Fred was on the Volunteer Fire Brigade and Fire chief from 1963-1965. He also played hockey and was a minor hockey coach.

Fred and his family returned to the family farm in the spring of 1967. Fred was an avid curler, golfer, and hockey player.  He loved his bonspiels! Fred caught the photography and videographer bug from his father and could be found at many weddings and family functions, capturing the moment!

Fred was on the Souris Valley School Board for 23 years and chairman for many of those years and being on the school board allowed him to once again use his administrative skills.

Fred and Marion loved to travel: western and northern Canada, southern and southwestern United States, Mexico, and of course an Alaskan cruise. They also enjoyed camping with family and friends. Fred enjoyed tinkering and after retiring from the farm could be found working on his father’s 1938 Ford half ton which was his pride and glory!

Funeral service was held at the Hartney United Church, Hartney, Manitoba on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Internment in the Riverside Cemetery, Hartney, Manitoba at a later date. In memory of Fred, donations may be made to the Hartney Community Health Centre Palliative Care Fund or Souris Health Centre Palliative Care Fund.