On November 18, Stanley Bowers peacefully passed away and his spirit began its journey home.
Stanley leaves behind his stepsons and daughter-in-law Trevor, Duane, Glen and Shannon; brothers and sisters-in-law James, Patty, Barry, Darlene, Pete, Anne, Herman, and Brenda; his eldest niece Doreen; extended family Linda, Louis, Nico, and Gabby; along with three grandchildren and three generations of nieces and nephews. Stanley was predeceased by Rita, his wife of 31 years, along with his parents Elijah and Priscilla and his in-law’s Joy and Cecil, siblings Joe, Barney, Mary, Lydia, Elijah, Susannah, and Helen, sister-in-law Hazel, and brothers-in-law Ernie and Eddie.
Stanley was born in Fisher River Cree Nation, where he lived until the passing of his parents when he became a part of the Residential School era in Birtle. Stanley settled in Winnipeg and after working a number of jobs focused his career on welding and metal work. Stanley and Rita moved to Chilliwack, BC in the nineties to be closer to her parents and while there Stanley proudly earned his driver’s license and a Health Care Aide Certificate and began working with Stó:lō First Nation while also fostering three children – Ashley, Echo, and Keena. In the 2000s, Stanley and Rita returned to Manitoba to be with their grandkids and Stanley returned to work at ACME Welding until his retirement four years ago.
Stanley was a friendly man who would treat anyone he came in contact with as if they were old friends. He will be remembered for his frequent teasing, which he did with a mischievous gleam in his eye and his stubbornness. Stan’s philosophy was to be yourself & live life the way you want as long as you’re happy. It is in this spirit that our sadness over his passing is accompanied by an acceptance that he chose to join his wife whom he loved and missed dearly.
Thank you to the Fisher River Cree Nation’s Chief Crate and Councillors, the Fisher River community, and all Stanley’s family and friends for their support during this time. We would also like to thank the Paramedics and Medical Team from the Grace Hospital Three North for the kindness and respect shown to Stanley in his final days.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., in the chapel of Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler Ave at Henderson Hwy.
