Obituary of LAWRENCE (LAURIE) TIDQUIST

LAWRENCE EDWARD TIDQUIST

(LAURIE)

Lawrence (Laurie) Edward Tidquist of Winnipeg passed away peacefully at the Maples Personal Care Home on April 28, 2019 at the age of 86.

Family and Friends are invited to the Celebration of Life to be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 11:00 am.

Laurie was born on December 3^rd, 1932 to parents Andrew and Johann Tidquist of 242 Chelsea Avenue, Winnipeg. Laurie is predeceased by both of his parents and his siblings. Laurie was the youngest of five siblings, brother Allan, sister Trudy (John) Bird, sister Hazel and brother Leslie.

Laurie will be lovingly missed by his wife of 64 years Sally (Watterworth), children Robert (Jill Leis), Laura (late husband Doug), Karen (Jason), grandchildren Daniel (Tamara), Colin (Courtney), Robert (Raina), Brendon (Robin), Chris & Chelsea, great grandson Jayden, sister-in-law Muriel Watterworth, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Laurie loved the family pets Marley, Georgia, and the late Tessa and Capone.

Laurie grew up in the East Kildonan and attended Prince Edward Elementary School and then later East Kildonan Collegiate.  Laurie was an avid student and enjoyed learning.  He was especially good in Math, and it was amazing how fast he could add a complex list of numbers whether it be Cribbage hands, Golf score cards, or Bowling games, Laurie would tally the scores faster than anyone.  He learned how to skate in his early years and spent many hours on the ice rink at Bronx Park Community Club. 

Laurie met Sally, the love of his life on the train from Grand Beach to Winnipeg. They spent many years camping or renting cottages at Grand Beach with the family. In the early years Laurie and Sally attended the dances at the Dance Pavilion in Grand Beach and the canteen dances in East Kildonan.  Laurie and Sally loved to dance, especially doing the “Jive”. They made it looks incredibility easy with their smooth moves. On many occasions, the dance floor would clear out to watch them glide around the floor.

Laurie also loved 5 pin bowling, golfing and hunting.  Laurie and Sally enjoyed many golf games in Manitoba with trips up to Hecla island with the old pop-up trailer, enjoying golf games with Elaine and Brian & Jack and Muriel or they would venture out west to Alberta or further to BC for camping and golf vacations.

Laurie and Sally enjoyed travelling and had the opportunity to vacation across Canada, seeing many parts of the US & enjoying cruises in different parts of the world including a golf vacation to Thailand as well as heading to Alaska twice to take in the incredible sights on land and water. 

Laurie was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a machinist and then moved onto a 25-year career with Canada Post. Laurie had an incredible memory amazing us all with recalling postal codes for many remote towns in Canada.  He was fortunate to retire at the age of 53. 

Laurie was also an active member of the East Kildonan Kiwanis Club, participating in managing the Kiwanis Homes of East Kildonan, attending annual Kiwanis conventions, ringing the bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas time, as well as leading the Kiwanis Builders Key Club at Miles Macdonell School. Laurie and Sally enjoyed many casino trips to the states with fellow many Kiwanis members, especially good friends Al and Helen Rouse.

Laurie loved food, and he had his favorites spots. Breakfast at Rick’s Hot Rod Diner, Lunch at the Half Moon for a Dog, Dinner at Gondola for wings, pizza, caesar salad and wine!! He was a creature of habit that is for sure. Up until the last year when he was at home with Sally, they had spaghetti dinner every Saturday night. Sally got smarter over the years and started making the sauce in batches and freezing it. 

Time with family on the deck in the summer & family dinners were always special to Dad, as he enjoyed seeing everyone and listening to stories of the grand kid’s adventures.  Laurie loved to tell jokes and as the kids got older, he could change up his joke repertoire to suit their ages.   We will certainly miss his jokes, even if we have heard most of them for many years.

The family would like to extend our thanks to the amazingly caring staff of the Maples Personal Care Home and a very special thanks to Jeff Middleton of Go Orderly, Dad’s Chauffeur for his appointments. You all made our lives a better place knowing Dad was in your care.

Be at Peace Dad and enjoy your Nap!!