Obituary of Alvin "Al" Aplin

APLIN: Alvin "Al" Austin of Brandon, Manitoba, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, August 5th, 2011 at the age of 74 years, 11 months, just the way he always said he wanted to go. Al was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba August 27, 1936 to parents "Jim" James Aplin and Anne Mary Brausse. He received his education in Flin Flon and after high school took a Diesel Mechanics course at what was then MIT in Winnipeg. Upon completing his education, he worked various jobs always being drawn to mining towns including Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta and Flin Flon, Manitoba where he earned his 2nd Class Power Engineer Ticket of which he was very proud. Al loved the North and in summers would spend countless hours fishing and scouting for good Moose hunting areas with his friends, covering over a hundred lakes a year. We are left with many stories and photos of his experiences of those memorable times. In 1958, he married Ruth Christina Hymers and they lived and worked in Flin Flon for 8 years before moving south to Brandon with their two children, Valerie and Lindsay in 1966. Cheryl was born in 1971 and their family was complete. His work experience included Pitt's Construction at Shilo and Camp Hughes as Power Engineer, Dryden Chemical in Brandon, and with Government Services & Infrastructure with the Province of Manitoba starting in the Power House at BMHC in 1974 and retiring as Trades Pool Coordinator in 2001 after 26 years. During this time, he worked with Henry Newton on his off-hours doing whatever needed to be done in the Construction trade. Sadly, Ruth passed away in November of 1980 and Al was a single Dad. In 1987, he met and married Geraldine "Gerrie" Summers and together they were very active with the Brandon Wildlife Association, where he served as President for a few years and also did a term as Big Game Chairman on the Manitoba Wildlife Federation Executive. He, together with 8 other partners, purchased their beloved "Gunn Creek Ranch" hunting lodge where hundreds of happy memories were made. He and Gerrie were also active with the Brandon Gun Club, serving on their executive and participating in Trap Shoot Competitions all over Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario and North Dakota. It was then they began A&G Shooting Sports, and in addition to doing a popular mail order business made countless friends, travelling around to Gun Show Venues in and around the Province. Before retiring from The Provincial Government, he took up the sport of Golf at age 63. He became an avid golfer, leaving trapshooting behind and even after his stroke at age 70, could still hit a mean golf ball. He was predeceased by his parents Jim and Anne, his first wife Ruth; and Gerrie's mother in January of this year. His commanding presence will be sorely missed by his very loving wife Gerrie, his children Valerie (Brad Smith), Jessica (Kristian) and Michael; son Lindsay and children Tanner and Sara and their mother Cindy (Martin); daughter Cheryl (Grant Kukurudz), Mackenzie and Stella; Gerrie's children; Jeanne (Joe Horvath), Jayden (Hollie) Cole and Morgan (Adam); and Evan (Helene Malo), Pascal, Riel, Emilie, Tatyana, Carmen, Rachelle and Nadia. His only brother Robert "Bob" Aplin (Candace); Gerrie's sister and brother-in-law Grace and Jack Irwin, brother and sister-in-law Dale and Ruth Topping; nieces, nephews and many beloved cousins, extended families, treasured friends and coffee buddies. A service to celebrate Al's life was held at St. Matthews Cathedral, Brandon on August 9th, 2011 with the Venerable Paul Curtis officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or Charity of Choice.