ALBERT: John Louie Albert of Brandon, beloved father of Marlyss Vandermeulen and Jeff Albert, passed away suddenly at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Friday, August 11, 2006. A graveside ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2006. The funeral procession will assemble at Memories Chapel 330-18th Street North at 10:30 am. with the procession to the Brandon cemetery and service to begin at 11:00 am. Following the ceremony, a time of fellowship and refreshment will be held at Memories Chapel. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of John to a charity of their choice. Complete obituary information will follow. Expressions of Sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330


ALBERT: It is with deep sympathy that we announce the death of John Louis Albert. He passed away suddenly at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on August 11, 2006. John was born in Bender, Saskatchewan on August 23, 1931. John attended school in Bender until a chance to go to work for the Canadian Pacific Railway came up. John would start his career as a labourer working on the tracks, then a brakeman, and finally a conductor. He would spend the next 42 years with the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1950 he would meet the love of his life, Elaine Nichol and would eventually marry in 1956. They would move to Souris, Manitoba to continue work, but eventually settle in Brandon, making it their home for the rest of their lives. John and Elaine were blessed with two children, Marlyss and Jeff. Going on long camping trips with the whole family were a regular summer occurrence and they took the family all over Canada and most of the United States, including Alaska. John and Elaine travelled extensively once he retired and visited many exotic ports of the world. They would also spend most of their summers up at Clear Lake, camping, fishing and enjoying their grandchildren. They were very involved with Christmas Cheer for many years, and volunteered for numerous city events. John would lose his love in 2002, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. His life would change forever, and the twinkle in his eye would never be the same. John was a very caring, and generous person. He would always be the first person to offer to help. He would look after much of his neighbourhood with grass cutting, and snow blowing. He was humble, sincere, and was the anchor of the family. He will be missed more than words can express, and the world is a lesser place because of his passing. He had a great sense of humour, and loved to make jokes. His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren. He spent countless hours playing with them and attending all of their activities, supporting them in any way he could. John also had many great friends from his neighbourhood. He would make weekly trips down to Belcourt with Fred and Marge, and he really enjoyed the time he spent there, and equally the time spent traveling with his dear friends. John will be lovingly remembered by his children Marlyss (Mike) and their children Riley and Tia; Jeff (Sherry) and their children Kenzie and Ashley. John is also survived by brothers Roy and Paul; sisters Ruby and Lizzie. John was predeceased by his parents John and Ella; his wife Elaine and brother Chester. A graveside service was held at the Brandon Cemetery on August 17, 2006. Mona Franklin officiated. Urn Bearer was Jeff Albert. All those in attendance were Honorary Bearers. Donations in memory of John may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3-824-18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5B7 or to a charity of choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.



The life and times of John Albert

? John Albert was born in Bender, SK on August 23, 1931.
? He attended school until Grade 8
? He started work after school and worked many odd jobs waiting to work full time with Canadian Pacific Railway
? He would meet the love of his life Elaine Nichol in 1950. They would date for the next six years until they finally got married in 1956.
? They would move to Souris, MB for John to continue work, but would move back to Brandon and live in a rental basement suite until they would eventually settle in a small house on the corner of 4th and Southern Ave.
? In December of 1963 their lives were forever changed with the birth of their daughter, Marlyss.
? In August of 1968 they would have their second child, Jeff, and all of a sudden the Albert family was complete.
? It was soon realized that the house they had was a little on the small side, so they heard that a house on the corner of 3rd and Southern was possibly for sale, so Dad talked to the owners and they decided for a little bit of cash on the side, the two families would change houses. That would be the family house for the next 37 years.
? John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and many camping trips which would take the family to every province in Canada, much of the U.S., including Alaska.
? He also had a huge passion for his vehicles and would look after his newest buy with daily washes and cleanings.
? The new house proved to be the coffee shop of the neighborhood and friends and family were not only welcomed, but expected.
? He would work with the C.P.R. for 46 years as one of their most loyal employees, working out of Souris, Minnedosa, and finally in Brandon. John started in the C.P.R. as a labourer on the line, then as a fireman, then a brakeman, and finally as a Conductor.
? He would first retire in 1986, but after about 5 days, he decided that he should go back for another 4 years and finally retire in 1990 when the railway decided to lose the caboose. This time, he left with peace of mind and no regrets. (The golden handshake seemed to help a little as well.)
? John and Elaine enjoyed a wonderful retirement as they traveled to many exotic ports of the world including: Central America, Hawaii, Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, a Caribbean cruise, and many parts of the U.S.
? They also enjoyed many summers at Clear Lake. Fishing and suppers with the Millers were a standard summer day at the lake.
? Elaine became sick with Cancer in 1999 and her and John would face the illness with amazing courage and strength. She would lose her fight in 2002, and John would not be the same person, losing that twinkle in his eye, but continued to live life to the fullest never being down and enjoying his family and friends. Elaine's brother Len asked John shortly after she died if he would think about dating again. John's response was "once you have had the best, nothing else will do."
? John would spend a lot of his time doing yard work, cutting wood, shoveling snow, and doing all sorts of handyman jobs.
? Potatoes were a big part of Johnny's life, and not only did they have to be at every supper meal, he also enjoyed picking them from Carberry, by the car load. He would then spend hours cleaning them, just so he could give most of them away.
? John would also be the person of the neighbourhood to look after everyone's home while they were away on holidays. He would also look after all the grass cutting and snow removal of the neighbourhood.
? John's humble personality prevented him from knowing how many people he touched, and how many people truly cared for him. On many occasions, thank you cards and gift certificates covered the Microwave from total strangers that he had stopped to help on the highway whose vehicles had either broken down, or helped to change a flat tire.
? Belcourt casino held a special place for John, every Monday he would make the trip usually with Marge and Fred and they would try their luck with the slot machines. Dad was usually quite lucky, and much to the chagrin of the others, would more often than not, come home with more than he started.
? John loved to have the whole family together for supper events, but believed that he was the only one that should be responsible for paying the bill. This upset many of the family, but as the years went on, they realized it was just his way of saying how much he cared about everybody.
? John also could not pass up a good deal on groceries. On many occasions, bananas were overflowing at the house, again just to give them all away since he did not really care for bananas. "They were such a good price I could not pass them up" he would frequently say.
? John was a proud grandfather of four children and they were his pride and joy. He spend countless hours playing with the kids, supported them in which ever field they chose. Riley with Gymnastics, and Tia with ballet. Not to mention: soccer, band, swimming, skating, school plays, etc. Kenzie and Ashley were next to enter his life and he was so proud. Somehow, a box of smarties always found their way into his pocket for the girls to find, and when asked where he got them, he said they were just laying around.
? John had just arrived back from trips down to Wisconsin to drop off Riley at Gymnastics camp, and went to Calgary a week later, to take Tia to Ballet School.
? He had a great sense of humour, liked to tell jokes, and liked to tease people especially the ladies.
? Johnny was the anchor of the Albert family and was the most unselfish, considerate, thoughtful and caring person that we have ever known. He leaves behind a huge void in all our lives, one we know will never be replaced. But with some consolation, he is now with the love of his life and we know that he died peacefully and with respect. He would not approve of all of us going out of our way today for him, but what he does not realize is that he is to blame. He touched so many people in a positive way, he does not understand the impact he made, not only to his family, but all his friends as well. He would want us to celebrate his life today and for us not to mourn him. He is looking down upon us now, with that big smile of his, knowing that he gets to treat us all to one last meal.Memorials
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