Obituary of Francis "Vern" Coulter
Francis Laverne “Vern” Coulter passed away peacefully at the Rideau Park Personal Care Home in Brandon on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the age of 82.
Vern was predeceased by his parents Lorne Coulter and Mabel Coulter, and his brother Larry.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife Joan, son Bill (Cali Ramsey), grandchildren Brady and Juliana, and stepson Neal Stock (Lorena Gawaziuk-Stock).
Vern was born on December 1, 1942 in Deloraine, Manitoba. He was raised on the family farm in the Coultervale district, and attended the Coultervale School. As a child, Vern kept busy with responsibilities on the farm and was active in sports - primarily baseball and curling.
Vern spent the vast majority of his career working with the Royal Bank of Canada, serving as a respected branch manager in numerous communities throughout the province. He quickly integrated himself both professionally and personally into each community he lived in, developing many lifelong friendships. Following his retirement in the early 1990s, he drove for the Brandon Airport Shuttle for a number of years, transporting travelers to and from the Winnipeg Airport.
Vern also gave back to the community in the form of volunteer work across many organizations, including various curling championships held in Brandon, and as treasurer for the Shilo men’s golf club, among others.
Vern was a fierce competitor. Following a number of years playing for multiple teams in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League, Vern was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 as part of the 1962-1968 St. Lazare Athletics. One claim to fame is that he was the only player on his team to get a hit against famed pitcher Satchel Paige when Satchel’s team toured across Canada one year.
Vern’s lengthy curling career was highlighted with qualifying for and competing in the Manitoba men’s provincial curling championships in both 1970 and 1971, losing in both years to the team that went on to win the world championship. Additionally, Vern competed in the Manitoba senior men’s provincial curling championship in 1994. A lengthy row of trophies could be found in the office at their home, representing his wins in many bonspiels throughout western Manitoba.
Vern was also a successful golfer, potting three holes in one throughout his years on the links.
A private funeral service for family and close friends will be held in the near future at the Brandon Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Brandon Hospital, Rideau Park PCH, and Hillcrest PCH for Dad’s care over the past 2.5 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Vern Coulter to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba to support Dementia research at https://alzheimer.mb.ca
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