MOWAT: William Glenn; With great sadness we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Glenn, husband, dad, grandfather and best friend, on Sunday, October 9, 2005. The eldest son of the late Wishart and Olive Mowat, Glenn was born October 8, 1938, in Morden, and spent his early years on the farm at Greenway, Manitoba. As a first grader in Greenway School, he drove a horse and buggy the first mile by himself, meeting a neighbor student along the way who would help him stable his horse at the school barn. This experience helped lead to a lifelong love of horses of all kinds. When the family moved to Elgin district, Glenn attended High School, later moving to Brandon to work at McKenzie Seeds, then working briefly with Safeway Stores in Brandon and Minnedosa. He then worked as a meat buyer for Federated Co-op in Winnipeg and apprenticed as a meat cutter. Glenn later managed Co-op Stores meat departments in Gilbert Plains, Killarney, and Brandon. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Edith "Edie" Poole. After vacationing one summer on the west coast, and then experiencing one of Brandon's more bitter winters, he packed up his family (by this time, increased by two little boys), and headed west to Quesnel, BC for a job as a meat cutter with Super Valu Stores. Glenn soon established himself as a knowledgeable horseman and broke and trained rancher's horses in his spare time, thoroughly enjoying the Caribou Country of B.C, a real frontier country. To his delight, a new daughter was added to the family in Quesnel. An opportunity to work with horse's full time came with the farm manager's job at Clearbrook Stock Farm, a thoroughbred facility in the Lower Mainland of B.C. Glenn was responsible for the handling of stallions, broodmares and foals, and marketed yearlings at sales in Vancouver, Seattle, and Toronto Racetracks. The thoroughbred industry was a fascinating new world and led to many opportunities. During his time at Clearbrook Stock Farm, Glenn also worked as a part time auctioneer in the Fraser Valley, and decided to start his own auction company. "Glenn Mowat Auctioneering" handled weekly auctions of antiques, furniture and nearly everything else, and once a month, a horse sale that became quite well known in the area. A change of location came about when Mom and Dad Poole, who had always farmed in the Kemnay area, wanted to retire. Always a farmer at heart, Glenn had no problem agreeing to bring the family back to Manitoba, where he took great pride in his registered Hereford cattle, thoroughbred horses and sheep. During this time, he trained and raced his own horses at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, and for one winter was assistant trainer for the Glen Wismer Stables at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida. With the family grown, and the Manitoba winter as long as ever, B.C. beckoned once again. This time there was just Glenn and Edie, with four thoroughbreds returning to the Lower Mainland and Hastings Park in Vancouver. Glenn was in demand as a farrier when he wasn't busy training horses and also assisted with the B.C. Thoroughbred Horse sales. With the arrival of grandchildren, and thoughts of retirement, Manitoba began to look good once more, and just seven years ago Glenn and Edie returned to Homehills Farms at Kemnay, and a quieter lifestyle. Gardening became a real interest, along with the raising of sheep, and of course, horses, which he still enjoyed throwing a saddle on for a few hours of trail riding. Glenn had a great enjoyment of life on the farm, especially with family around, and took particular pleasure in his "campground" fireplace where he could brew gallons of campfire coffee for whoever happened to be visiting. Glenn was predeceased by his parents, Wishart and Olive Mowat, and his parents-in-law, Alfred and Edith Poole. Glenn leaves his loving wife of 46 years, Edie, son Greg (Darcy), son Randy (Kim), daughter Shannon (Warren) Enns, and grandchildren Kristen and Brett, Glenn jr. and Dean, and Angus and Liam, brother Barry and sister Sharleen White, as well as nieces, nephews and many cousins. Memorial service was held at Central United Church on Friday, October 14, 2005, with Rev. John Nesbitt of Trinity United Church officiating. Randy Mowat delivered the eulogy for his Dad. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of Glenn to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 3-824-18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5B7. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to memorieschapel@mts.net. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.
Memorials
Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba