Obituary of Mervin Arthur Mulligan

MULLIGAN: MERVIN ARTHUR. "I am done with ALS! I can now eat, drink, talk, dance to fiddle music and fish all I want!" Mervin began his life journey in the McCreary area in 1938 – one of Tom and Elsie Mulligan's 14 children. Mervin and Linda (Gladden) began their life together in 1963 in Brandon. Children Blaine and Teresa completed their family. The family moved to Alexander in 1968, and that was home until failing health forced the decision to downsize and move to Brandon. Mervin was a mechanic at Manco Dairy and Lyons Transmission. He also had a feedlot cleaning business for a few years. He retired from Whitehead Municipality in 2001, after a job he always enjoyed (grading roads). He loved being part of the community and was a "go to" guy when help was needed. Mervin enjoyed helping out at the rink, being a member of the Alexander Beautification Committee and a Lion's Club member. He also became known as the "Mole Exterminator Extraordinaire." Fun, family and friends were very important. Good times were had curling (and bonspieling), playing ball, stock car racing (#38), fishing trips, country music festivals, camping, hunting geese and deer, road trips, and snowmobiling. Later in life he had time for another interest, antique cars. His first road worthy one was a 1950 Mercury, which was in the movie set of The Stone Angel. His last car was a 1966 Pontiac Parisienne. He and his buddy Alf Denny put on many miles going to car shows and parades in Manitoba and North Dakota. Mervin loved to putter in the yard or in his garage. There was always a 'project' on the go. Travelling included Dominican Republic; Australia; parts of the U.S.; the east and west coasts of Canada as well as many points in between. Some winters were spent in Osoyoos and Duncan, B.C. Driving through the Rockies in winter made for some interesting driving, but he always got us there. Our cabin at Oak Lake was often buzzing with projects, grandkids heading out to various activities and sleepovers. Grandchildren have memories of checking out anything nature associated, fall wood cutting excursions, fishing, fixing and repairing and just being with Poppa. Mervin was predeceased by his parents and nine siblings. Mervin is survived by his wife Linda, son Blaine (Lynne); Mac, Brie and Cole; daughter Teresa; Bryson, Brooklyn and Ronald. He is survived by his brothers: Larry, Barry, Melvin (Joyce) and George (Phyllis) and many nieces and nephews. A private burial was held May 13th, 2017 at the Alexander Cemetery, which sister-in-law Phyllis officiated. There will not be a Celebration of Life, as previously mentioned, please remember Mervin in your own way. "How lucky we are to have had someone that makes saying 'Good-bye' so hard."