Richard Holmes

Richard Alan Holmes

1947 - 2023

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Obituary of Richard Alan Holmes

The memorial service will take place on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with reception to follow.  To join the family via livestream, please click HERE shortly prior to the service.

 

Richard Alan Holmes, aged 75 years, of Steinbach, MB, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

 

He is survived by his wife Elvera, son Nowell (Suzanna), and two grandchildren Oliver and Hannah whom he loved very dearly.

 

He was predeceased by parents Richard and Henrietta, infant sister Susan, as well as parents-in-law Jacob and Gertrude Koop.

 

Alan, or Dad will always be deeply cherished as the most gentle, kind, supportive, loving and patient person. In the workplace, and at home he was well known for his careful attention to detail, doing the job right the first time, seeing the positive side (and humour) in negative situations.

 

After being born and raised as a proud Irishman, Dad moved to Canada in 1968 to pursue opportunity. His Uncle John and Aunt Edie provided him with a stepping stone (and home) for a well-enjoyed life in Canada.

 

Dad started out working in Canada for National grain in Craik, SK which was eventually taken over by Cargill. He spent a number of years as well driving for Reimer’s express, a time which gave Dad a lot of great stories of the highway, and an appreciation of the Canadian Prairies. He came back to Cargill after this time, where he enjoyed a very long career, starting out at the bottom, loading heavy bags of seed, or fertilizer into trucks, pushing a broom, whatever it would take to get the job done to a higher standard than most would expect. He made his way to regional warehouse manager in Morris, where he spent the majority of his career; building up the business and assuring top quality product left the loading dock, augers and conveyors.

 

Dad met Mom through a personal ad in the Winnipeg Free Press in ‘76, asking her hand in marriage the year after. Mom and Dad married in ‘78, and showed what a great marriage looks like for these 44 years. Being always loving, incredibly patient, the most gracious, and soft spoken, it is no question that he daily modelled what it is to be a dedicated Husband, Father, and follower of Christ.

 

In ‘83, Dad and Mom warmly and lovingly welcomed a child into their lives. From this day forward, Dad had a role he was well equipped to fill – Loving his son, and that he did very much so each and every day.

 

Mom and Dad were always very involved in the Church, since their days at Pansy Chapel, where dad served as Secretary-Treasurer for 15 years, and later on in life volunteered many hours in Sunday School, Children’s programs, and serving in the kitchen weekly at their Church in Steinbach. Again, his level of commitment to what he had to do was set to a higher standard, and it wasn’t seen as a volunteer position to be taken lightly – he was always fully committed and able to take the quality of service to the highest level, at every time and in every way. Doing anything less than the best was not an option. He was serving his King.

 

Just a few weeks ago, while Dad was in the hospital he was able to have a few special moments visiting his Grandson Oliver, sharing warm hugs, hearty handshakes, and great conversation. This is what Dad had lived for.

 

Dad was always greatly humbled by the love shown by those who came to visit him in the hospital, spend time with him, or simply send him a text message of encouragement. He loved Mom more than anything else, and cared for her to an even higher level, again - assuring me of this in our final visit.

 

We would like to thank the staff at Bethesda hospital, Boundary trails hospital, the endless support and love from Crossview Church, and all of those who called Alan a friend.

 

Psalm 23 was always Dad’s go-to verse.

While the rod and staff comforted, goodness and mercy have indeed followed.

 

Donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba.

 

 

Thursday
2
March

Memorial Service

2:00 pm
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Birchwood Funeral Chapel
162 PTH 52 W
Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
(204) 346-1030