On July 10th at Golden West Centennial Lodge, Alan passed away peacefully holding his daughter’s hand.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Marguerite, brothers Paul, Tom, Bill and Chris, and son Charles. He is survived by his daughter Eve and her husband James Fitzgerald, daughter-in-law Hanna, sister-in-law Elaine Finnbogason, special cousins Agnes Bardal Comack and Sigrid Bardal McKee (Bill), as well as many nephews and nieces.
Alan was born in Winnipeg on August 24th, 1921, the third of Olavia and Guttormer’s sons, the ‘Five Finnbogason Boys’. He spent his early years in Lundar, Manitoba before the family moved back to Winnipeg. He grew up in a loving and happy home, filled with friends, extended family and music. The coffee was always on and there was room at the dinner table for anyone the boys brought home. He attended John M. King School, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and United College. When war was declared, he followed his older brothers Paul and Tom into the Air Force and trained with the Commonwealth
Air Training Program. He served overseas with the Royal Air Force as a Flying Officer throughout World War II, and remained actively involved with the Air Force Reserve and Air Cadet League of Canada for many years.
When Alan returned home from England after the War, he was immediately smitten with a tall, beautiful blonde he spotted at the Canoe Club. He pursued Marguerite with determination, and they were married in 1949. Children Charles and Eve completed the family. He was a devoted husband and father who was far ahead of his time when it came to sharing household responsibilities like child care and cooking.
Alan spent his entire career with the T. Eaton Company, retiring in 1986 after 45 years of service. He worked his way up in the Company and ultimately held senior management positions, including Head of the Food Services and Restaurant Division for western Canada. He enjoyed his work immensely and found great satisfaction in all aspects of retailing. He was also responsible for helping many students (including his children, nieces, nephews and friends’ children) get their first part-time job at Eaton’s. He mentored many young men and women throughout his career and volunteer work, and was always proud when they succeeded.
Alan believed strongly in community service and was a tireless volunteer. He served as President of a number of organizations, including the Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation, the better Business Bureau of Winnipeg, the Manitoba Travel and Convention Bureau, the United Services Institute, the St. James YMCA and the Air Cadet League of Manitoba. He also participated as a Director on the boards of the Federal Council on Multiculturalism, the Federal Tourism Advisory Council for Manitoba, the Air Cadet League of Canada, the Manitoba Design Institute, the Winnipeg Convention Centre, Heritage Winnipeg, Tourism Manitoba and too many other organizations to list.
Alan was a wonderful cook and loved to make meals for friends and family. It was never too much trouble for him to prepare whatever his children might want for breakfast (including freshly squeezed juice) even on a weekday morning. He and Marguerite enjoyed traveling throughout North America, the Caribbean (especially Grand Cayman in the early years) and Europe, as well as spending many summers at their cottage at Gimli. He was a proud member of the Icelandic Canadian community and counted himself fortunate to have loving brothers, as well as many friends. He will be remembered as a kind, public-spirited man and a wonderful husband and father.
When his health and memory began to fail, Alan moved to the Golden West Centennial Lodge in 2009. He was reunited with Marguerite when she joined him there in 2011, and they had adjoining rooms and their own table for two at meals until her passing in January 2015. Special thanks to the staff on the 4th floor at Golden West for their kindness and compassionate care over the last 10 years.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will be held next Monday, July 22, 2019 at 2:30 pm at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery).
A commemorative bench at Assiniboine Park in Alan’s honour is being arranged and anyone who wishes to do so may make a donation in his name to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. For more information, please email tributeprograms@assiniboinepark.ca or call (204) 927-6022.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alan Finnbogason Wednesday July 10th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba