Tom Goodman

Obituary

Passed on April 21, 2023

August 17, 1949 – April 21, 2023

Tom Goodman of Stonewall MB passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 21, 2023.

A memorial service for Tom will be held at the Stonewall United Church, 369 1st Ave North on Friday, May 26 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre in Stonewall.

Ken Loehmer Funeral Services
204-886-0404

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Hey Dad, it’s your family. We love you more than you can imagine and are heartbroken to share this news with those who knew and loved you.

You were born in Winnipeg to proud Icelanders Arthur and Fjola, graduating from Daniel McIntyre high school in 1967 before completing your law degree at the University of Manitoba. After law school, you spent a summer working on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, living out a political dream and most importantly, meeting Debbie (Mum). You didn’t waste any time, proposing after only six weeks and marrying eight months later. It turned out to be a good decision, as you and Mum would go on to spend nearly 49 happy years together, raising four children along the way.

In 1976, you moved to Stonewall where you practiced law, made an amazing group of friends, and became an active member of the community you would come to love. You spent countless hours involved in minor hockey, fought to maintain the town’s French Immersion program, and worked to have an impact through politics by running twice for Parliament and serving for many years as president of the local riding association. As a lawyer, you worked hard every day to advocate for local residents and at a provincial level, you sat on the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission, always acting with integrity and with an eye to what was fair and right.

As much as you loved Stonewall, the cabin at West Hawk Lake was where you were happiest. It was a reminder of your father, who built the cabin in the 1940s, and your mother, both of whom passed before any of their grandchildren arrived. It became a special place for you and your brother Paul, who in turn made it a special place for your children and nephews. Our two families spent summers together; water skiing, cliff jumping, bar frequenting, and (your favourite) having many ‘morning dips’. In quieter moments, you would do crossword puzzles or just sit and take it all in, beaming with pride and satisfaction over how close we had all become. Less quiet moments would include your annual Duffers golf tournament (which you loved even though you really hated golf) and the many evenings where you and Paul would drink wine and belt out Stan Rogers.

You retired in 2010, giving you more time to pursue your passion for writing; writing short stories about life in Manitoba and becoming a published author with Her Darling Boy, a story about your Uncle Archie who died fighting at Vimy Ridge. You also pursued a love of singing, performing with Mum at Stonewall’s Christmas Cantata and even taking a few solos. In more recent years, you began to spend your winters in Las Vegas and time on Vancouver Island and in Ottawa to be closer to your children and grandchildren.

You lived a blessed life and we’re so happy that you were with us long enough to see how our lives were shaping up, to meet four of your grandkids, and to enjoy many years of retirement travelling and just enjoying life. You impacted us in so many ways; your commitment as a husband and father, your values and dedication as a lawyer, and the pure joy you took from just having all of your family together.

You left us suddenly on April 21, 2023 in Las Vegas, to join your parents Fjola and Arthur, your father-in-law Harold, your aunties Florence and Lina, and many others who you have missed so much in the years since they passed. You have dealt with some health concerns in recent years, but you were taken from us far too young and before any of us were ready to say good-bye. We love you, Dad, and we will spend every day trying to be the people that you always wanted us, and saw us, to be.

Tom is survived by his wife Debbie; children, Brian (Andrea), Craig (Priya), Kevin (Emma), Allison (Robin), and dog Tugs; grandchildren, Isla, Teddy, Leif and Sebastian; brother Paul (Alanna, Stefan, Kristjan, Erik); sister-in-law Sharon (Dave, Lindsay, Kasey); and mother-in-law Mavis.

A memorial service will be held at the Stonewall United Church on Friday, May 26, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at Stonewall Quarry Park. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the charity of your choice.

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