ANTONY (TONY) WIEBE
June 29, 1937 – November 5, 2020
Antony (Tony) Wiebe passed away suddenly at his home of cardiac arrest, at age 83. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife Olive of 59 years, daughters Carolyn (Brent) and Myra (Dean), and grandchildren Alex, Aaron, and Emelia. He is survived by one brother Ed, several sister in-laws, brother in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeased by his parents Abram and Katharina (nee Toews) and siblings Jake, Neil, John, Helen, Mary, and Anne as well as six infant brothers who died shortly after birth.
Tony grew up on the family farm southeast of Plum Coulee, Manitoba. He was the 7th of 8 children. He had a happy childhood of bike riding, climbing trees, and playing games indoors and out. There was significant family change when his father became totally blind when Tony was 5 years old until he was 10, when his father’s vision was miraculously restored in one eye after a heavy jolt to the head. During the time of his father’s total blindness, his mother and older siblings ran the farm while his father entertained Tony and the other young children by telling Bible stories. He attended the local country school up to grade 10, grade 11 at Altona Collegiate, and grade 12 at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna.
Tony attended the Provincial Normal School for teacher’s training and taught in the country school of Kleinstadt for 3 years. He then attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a B.A. in 1961, majoring in English and history. Some interesting summer jobs he had were boatman and maintenance man for an elderly lady with an island house on Lake of the Woods, a porter on CN trains where he travelled from eastern to western Canada, and house roof construction.
In 1959 he met Olive Pries, the love of his life, when they were both teaching in southern Manitoba. They continued to see each other for almost 3 years and were married August 4, 1961 in Winkler, Manitoba with her father officiating. They lived in Winnipeg for their entire marriage, with the last 54 years in their house in the Fort Richmond suburb.
After teaching for some years, Tony entered the social work field with the provincial government. He went back to the University of Manitoba and received his B.S.W and M.S.W. He then worked for the Provincial Government Social Services for 4 years. In 1969, he started working at the Family Bureau (later called Family Services and then Family Centre) as a marriage and family counsellor, and later as a supervisor, student placement coordinator, and acting Executive Director for 1 year. After 30 years with the agency, he retired in 1999. After retirement, he took many courses with Creative Retirement and served 3 years on the United Way Pensions and Benefits Board.
Tony & Olive raised 2 daughters, Carolyn and Myra, who were very much the centre of their lives. He was an excellent father, always having time for the children to play a board game or a fun activity outdoors. He could engage in multiple activities at one time while adeptly attending to the physical, cognitive, and emotional level of each person. Later as a grandfather, he continued his attentive love, warm hugs, and devotion towards his grandchildren. Fun times with Grandpa included playing with Lego, ping pong competitions, puzzles, looking for frogs, tobogganing in winter, and walks in the park. Riding on Tony’s shoulders was always a highlight for the young children.
Tony was a man of various interests and abilities. In his younger years, he played baseball for the Plum Coulee Braves, sang with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, and later participated in recreational curling. He was an avid reader, keen “birder”, a good woodworker who built toys and furniture, and a handy repairman who fixed many things around the house and yard, including finishing the basement with only hand tools. He still climbed trees in his 70s to trim branches. He had a large collection of classical music that he regularly enjoyed. He was well-versed on world history, and appreciated a good discussion about world events. He liked biking, cross-country skiing, walks in the woods, and yard work.
Tony was a kind, considerate person and a man of his word. He was always patient, empathetic, and helpful, with a sense of humour. He will be lovingly remembered by his family.
A private burial with family is planned at this time. A memorial service might be held at a later date.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Antony Wiebe Thursday November 5th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba