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F. E. STUART BROWNING It is with sadness we announce that Stuart Browning, husband to Clara, completed his life journey on February 28, 2008 at The Golden West Centennial Lodge. Stuart was born in Vancouver, BC on April 9, 1919, a son for Raymond and Mary Jermante Browning. His siblings were: Ursula Leaf of Ladysmith, BC, David Browning, and Helen Cornford of Gladstone, MB. Stuart is survived by Clara; his three sons: Michael (Elaine) of Cochrane, AB, Ron (Joanne) and Mark (Aynsley Nixon) of Winnipeg; his grandsons: Kolt, Matthew, Greggory and Garret Browning. In addition to his two sisters, he is also survived by two nephews: Stuart Kidd (Judy) and Stockney Cornford; three nieces: Shauna MacCrae (Gordon), with whom he enjoyed lots of fun times, Cheryl Virtue (Adam), and Patty Summers (Dylan); and his sister-in-law Maureen Browning of Vancouver. Stuart was predeceased by a granddaughter, Mercedes in 2004 and his brother, David in 1987. At age 15, in 1935, Stuart was sent to live and work on the farm of John and Mae White at Ogilvie, MB. For the first few years, this was a great challenge of adjusting to such conditions as there was no electricity, no indoor plumbing and no central heat. Ted White was two years old and Edith was born a couple of months after Stuart's arrival. Edith was like a little sister to Stuart, and in this home, he lived happily and grew in farming knowledge. Stuart and John tilled the soil firstly with teams of horses, then tractors. Stuart seemed to have a natural rapport with farm animals. The social life in Ogilvie included card games with lunches, and lots of music. Growing up in Vancouver, he accomplished the skill of violin playing which proved to be a significant talent as his life enfolded. In Ogilvie, he put his violin and piano knowledge to use and formed the group known as The Mavericks . The group played for many functions in the area. Also, a never-to-be-forgotten performance in acting out the musical selection Barnacle Bill, the Sailor with his very good friend, George Cornford. Stuart eventually owned a small herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle and purchased a farm of his own. In 1954, Stuart and his great friend, Don Brydon, went to Winnipeg to seek their fortune. Here, Stuart met Clara, and Don met Agnes and weddings took place. Stuart worked for: Benson and Hedges, The Winnipeg Free Press and Crown Zellerback as a sales representative and then for the Manitoba Government in 1959, Department of Highways where he became a supervisor, retiring in 1984. He had the reputation of being able to issue a ticket to a trucker and end the contact with the trucker in laughter. While working and living in Winnipeg, Stuart established, with the carpentry skills of his brother-in-law, Jim, and his father-in-law, Clarence, a home on his farm where his family of three sons spent every farming season. Farm life was the source of Stuart's greatest satisfaction, where along with his son, Ron, planted many crops. This was where his prairie soul was evident, where he obtained his renewal of spirit as he found happiness watching crops ripen in the field, and his three sons, Michael, Ron and Mark, grow tall in the sun. He especially enjoyed his relatives and friends of the Ogilvie, Gladstone area dropping by for coffee and a chat and, of course an examination of the growing crop. These visitors included his cousin, Jean McLarty and her husband Jack, and cousin Bill Browning. He also loved to visit with his neighbour of the time, Martin Penner. Stuart and Clara enjoyed visits to various places in Canada to visit with Mark, Joanne and Matthew when Mark was part of the Military life. This included Calgary, Cold Lake, and a memorable trip to Dartmouth, NS. Many thanks to Joanne for making the trip to the Tidal Wave in Truro, the funniest event ever. Stuart and his wife visited Cochrane to spend time with Michael, Elaine, Kolt and Mercedes. Stuart also visited Arizona to the home of Edith Beatty and family. Stuart will be missed by his sister-in-law, Gerry Walker, with whom he loved to tease and referred to as Gabby , and Gerry's husband with whom he made several trips to the farm to fix or install or renovate as he appreciated Jim's expertise in carpentry. Who will forget the great time we had for Stu's 80th Birthday Surprise celebration, organized by the family which took place at The Canadian Forces Base, Wing 17. We, his family, Clara, Michael (Elaine), Ron (Joanne), Mark (Aynsley) are grateful to all his surviving friends and acquaintances who touched his life and made it more memorable. Many thanks to Joanne Cumming, social worker at the Golden West, and to all the wonderful staff on the second floor. We invite you to a celebration of life service to be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 12:30 p.m., with reception to follow. Should you wish, a donation may be made to: Alzheimer Society, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4G2 or The Golden West Centennial Lodge, 811 School Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R2Y OSB. CHAPEL LAWN 885-9715