PAPA

Brian Monkman

PAPA

January 20th, 1949- December 15, 2015

Obituary in Winnipeg Free Press

BRIAN VICTOR MONKMAN It is with tears and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Brian Victor Monkman, age 66, of Loon Straits. Left to mourn are his wife and best friend, Annalee Johnson Monkman, sons Jason MacMillan (Julie) and Brian, daughter Shyan, grandchildren Alistair, Joey, Elizabeth, Francis, and Luella, brother Lester (Dawn), sisters Wendy (Bert), Jeannie, Marlene, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Priscilla and Victor, and sisters Thelma, Muriel, and Judy. Brian was born January 20, 1949 in Loon Straits, and though he travelled widely and lived in many places in his lifetime, Loon Straits was the only place in the world where he was truly "home".

He owned and operated several businesses over the years: Captain Hook Marine, Can-Saw Custom Cutting, and most recently Monkman Island Hideaway. He most recently worked for the East Side Road Authority, and Bloodvein First Nation.

His passions were working with people and wood and both found a home in his work with Frontiers Foundation where he developed the Standing Tree to Standing Home Program. He served on the Board of this organization until the time of his death. Brian was quick with a joke and loved to tell funny stories about the people he knew.

He had a great interest in people and was always finding ways to learn new things from those he met. In recent years, his grandchildren were a great joy to him and he loved each one dearly. This world will be a poorer place without him. Cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of Brian's life will be held at Pine Falls Legion Branch 54 on Monday, December 21 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Society For Manitobans with Disabilities

 The reality that Brian is gone is hard to grasp. Being so sudden and having been taken due to an accident gives one no time to prepare for the sudden absence. I'm thankful that we went to Manitoba last Christmas to be with all the family so that both Francis ,Alistair and myself had the opportunity to get to know him more.

He had such a zest for life and constantly was getting people to laugh as he had a whole hearted chuckle. I had the privilege to enjoy several "golf tournaments" on the family island which one can see from these pictures the attire was a show stopper.

It was evident that he loved his family dearly and his grandchildren easily gravitated towards him.

 I will miss this gentle wonderful man.

Guest Book

• Dear Anna, Sorry to hear your beloved husband Brian passed away. "Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of a gentle giant. May the Great Spirit keep him in peace. Marco A. Guzman, Executive Director
• Unfortunately I never met Brian, but I had talked to him many times by phone. He was a good friend to my son and he will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Anna and her family. Sincerely, Liz
  - Posted by: Elizabeth Brown, Ontario (Mother of Wayne Brown (good friend of the family)) on: Dec 21, 2015

• Sorry to hear about Brian's sudden passing. He was a good man who gave to the community. And had so much more to give- Posted by: Brian Murray on: Dec 21, 2015
• I worked with Brian at ESRA and he was a wonderful man. So friendly and caring. He loved life and I am sure his family will miss him very much. My sincerest condolences to his family at this difficult time. He was well loved.
  - Posted by: Norma Spence (colleague) on: Dec 21, 2015
• 
• Thinking of Brian's family. Brian was one hell of a good guy, he will be missed by all who knew him.
  - Posted by: Tammy and Chico (Friends) on: Dec 21, 2015

• So sorry for your loss Anna.
  - Posted by: Lea-Anne Zinke & Family (Neighbor) on: Dec 20, 2015
• Thank you for the storytelling and friendship. I will remember the stories told about Loon Straights. I will forever be grateful for the experiences of Monkman Island. Till we meet again buddy! Shavon Sinclair
  - Posted by: Shavon Sinclair (Friend ) on: Dec 20, 2015
• A friend and good person to talk to when he stayed the God's River Lodge where I met him while doing his training. Enjoyed his company. Farewell my friend and RIP.
  - Posted by: James McKay (Considered a friend) on: Dec 20, 2015
• 
• He was a great man, taught a lot of people, made friends with everyone that he had met. I am grateful that I had the chance to work with him, passed on his passion for working with making homes, lumber, I wouldn't have the skills I have if it weren't for you big man. Had a big heart. Rest in peace Brian Monkman, gonna miss you.
  - Posted by: Cameron fontaine (My mentor, friend) on: Dec 20, 2015
• 
• Dear Anna: our hearts go out to you and your family at this very difficult time! I only met Brian once in Canso but I knew he was a true soul mate for you!! I did try to phone but had to leave a voice message!!! Even thou we live far away and do not keep in touch I want you to know our thoughts are with you!!! Love and friends always! Kate & Joe
  - Posted by: Kathy (MacDonald) & Joe Jamieson (Friend) on: Dec 19, 2015
• Brian will be truly missed for his great sense of humor and quick wit. I always appreciated listening to his stories while sitting in his veranda looking out over the lake at Loon Straits. His bushcraft knowledge and experience were absolutely remarkable. Brian will be missed by many. Anna I am so sorry, time heals many wounds, hang in there, I will be thinking of you.
  - Posted by: Bob Kovachik (Friend) on: Dec 19, 2015
• 
• I had the pleasure of working alongside Brian with the east side road authority. Brian was always happy and a real treat to be around. He was an amazing man who shared many a story and taught me so much about the land. I had the pleasure of visiting his home and witness first hand his amazing craftsmanship. He will be missed.- Posted by: Todd Martin (Friend) on: Dec 19, 2015
• I first met Brian in the Post Office in Pine Falls, and enjoyed the talks we had when he would come in. Then we met up again when he started coming in to win all the meat draws at the Legion. Brian and Anna were always so outgoing and friendly that you couldn't help but look forward to seeing them come through the door. He will truly be missed by all his comrades at Branch 64.
  - Posted by: Joan and Jim Kleyh (Friends) on: Dec 19, 2015

Surprise!!

Having planned for months to surprise Mom with an 80th birthday party George and I were thrilled with the success of it all. Starting Thursday at 1130pm I brought my cousin Joanne to Mom's house. She was the first of many visitors to arrive and Mom was clueless of what was taking place. I had told her someone would be coming to stay with her for several days but I wouldn't say who and that was my way of having her house ready for a party!

The next evening Mom's cousin Ella arrived along with her two children Sandra and Ken as well as his wife Angela. Mom was definitely surprised but still clueless that people may continue to drop in.

The whole plan was for people to come as they arrived.

 

So that's what they did and it couldn't have worked out better.

 It gave mom just the right amount of time to socialize with everyone.

As one can see from the pictures it was great times had by all and the impact was delightful!

It was all about family, food, and festive celebrations.

I've said it before and I will say it again. If I can have 1/10th the contentment my mother has in life I will be thrilled. She's wise, realistic, grounded, motivated and truly inspirational all around. I truly hope that when I grow up I will be just like her.

Thanks for being awesome MOM!

Happy Halloween

I know its awhile past Halloween but I'm playing catch up with the blog and one of these days I'm going to pay to have my blog put into a book format. There are companies online that do such a thing so what a great way to keep up a family album!

Anyhow as many of you know Luella's hair has a mind of its own. But as Halloween was approaching I couldn't help but think of Hugh Jackson as the Wolverine. Its perfect! Although I didn't pull out the rest of the attire I thought the hair was enough.

The last couple years I've had fun turning Alistair's chair into a great costume. I was very pleased how this one turned out and it was so easy! He loved it and so did his classmates. Thankfully we had a school Halloween party as he started to get sick shortly after and had to stay home with Dad while the girls and I went out trick or treating with Everly and Walter.

As always Francis is invited to join in with Alistair's class. Right up till a day before she really wanted to be a panda bear. Then out of the blue she suddenly wanted to be a tooth fairy. So at school she was a tooth fairy then when we went out trick or treating she wore a caterpillar outfit to stay warm.

 The kids had an absolute blast going door to door. The whole concept of it all was thrilling. But after a block or so Francis was completely done. The fact that she woke up at 5am that morning, spent the day at school with a bunch of 5/6 year olds, and then had her mother overdress her so that she overheated was the factors for her readiness to be done.

 

However, once she dug in to the bag of candy she acquired over the two blocks of trick or treating she was soon wired and ready to party. That maybe lasted and hour and she was sound asleep before I even pulled out of the driveway. Fun memories!

Under one roof

My goodness, once again time flies by and it seems to be going at a faster and faster rate. I had good intentions writing this blog shortly after arriving home. But let me tell you life as a family of five keeps one more than busy. Its chaotic and fabulous all in the same breath.

I really couldn't wait to get everyone under the same roof. It was bizarre but I accepted it that Luella's entrance to the world would be a little beyond the norm. Thankfully with it being drastically less complicated then expected it made the whole transition back home very straight forward. Once we got to the airport I was feeling pretty emotional about bringing us all together. I'm sure the postpartum hormones were helpful with that too! But I was able to suck back the tears and hold it together until we were in the air flying home. I started getting teary and Jason was across the aile from Luella and I. He looked over and said "Whats your problem?". I explained they were happy tears just feeling overwhelmed etc.... His response " Its not like we are going to war or anything!" With that a burst out laughing and abruptly stopped crying. He was right! Plus with the Syrian refugee crisis being forefront with all their lives being abruptly changed it didn't take much to change my tune. That was of course until I saw my Francis behind the airport glass beaming from ear to ear, bouncing up and down, mouthing my name "Mummy, Mummy, Mummy" Then the flood gates opened.

Francis was smiling so much you could hardly see her eyeballs! It was adorable. A couple people had mentioned I should bring her a doll when we arrived home so that she has her open baby doll. Well I told her a brought her a baby doll (not the one in the picture) and passed it to her thinking she'd be delighted. Nope! She grabbed it and stuffed it back in the bag. "I don't need a baby doll!" She said. "I have a real baby sister!"

Alistair was definitely into the whole arrival of a new baby sister. He became quiet and then turned towards her to touch her with his hands. Then the true test was that he tried to lay his feet over her as that's what he does when he wants someone's full attention.

I really couldn't say enough about Grandma and Uncle George. We had done so much planning to have Alistair in respite while we were away. It was potentially going to be a full 16 days that Alistair would be cared for in the respite facility. That just pained me. Not because I don't trust the facilty but he is my little boy and I he had only been in Children's Residence for a max of three nights. With that time period he had been thrilled to get home so I couldn't imagine 16 days.

But sometimes one just has to come to terms with the fact you have to do what is best for the whole family. Anyhow, shortly after I came down to Vancouver, George asked me if it was ok if he tried keeping Alistair at Grandmas for an over night stay. I said of course! Well one night turned into two which turned into six and eventually I just called and canceled his whole stay. It really warmed my heart to know that Alistair was with his sister and family. Plus I could get a blow by blow account of his day if I wanted! Gotta love that I have an amazing brother! 

Francis also stayed with Grandma and Uncle George when Jason came south to join me. She was thrilled that she got to have that many sleepovers with Grandma. Apart from Francis being devasted that my "water hose broke" she did really well with my absence. Some clarity to the "waterhose" my brother had yelled to my mom outside that my water had broken for delivery and Francis took it that my "water hose broke" and burst into tears. Later that day she was happy to hear that my water hose wasn't broken anymore!

 

It was lovely to see how much Francis adored her sister. All the hype of her arrival seemed to meet her expectations. She instantly was hands and beamed endlessly from ear to ear.

The first night Francis asked if she could sleep beside her sister on the floor. So we set up her own little bed and Francis kept reassuring Luella that everything was ok such as the shadows and monsters!

It really made for a wonderful end to the first day of getting all of my clan under one roof. Everyone was so content.

Pictures are worth a thousand words so I will just let the visual speak for itself from here on in. Lets just say we are thrilled to be a family of five!