CALVIN RAYMOND THORPE

It is with sadness the family announces the passing of Calvin Raymond Thorpe on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015.
He was born Oct. 20, 1927 on a farm near Foxwarren, Man., the first of four children to Alvin and Bella Thorpe.
He had a happy childhood, enjoying playing in the school band and outdoor activities, especially hockey and baseball.
Calvin began a 43-year career with CIBC in Winnipeg, Man. after high school and for many years was in Fort Frances, Ont. He was keenly interested in community service and very involved with such groups as Knox United Church, Rotary Club, Manitoba Golf Association, and Fort Frances Business Improvement Area.
After retiring from the bank, he was very active with the seniors’ golf and curling.
He cherished his home life and his family was very important. He was married to Elsie for more than 65 wonderful years and together they provided a warm and nurturing family life to Neil, Linda, Ellen, and John.
He was proud of his children and grandchildren and their achievements. He enjoyed hearing about his great-grandchildren.
Calvin loved Rainy Lake and lake life, and he and his family were among the early settlers on Hopkins Bay, including being instrumental in getting the road built.
He was a natural athlete and enjoyed helping others become involved in sports for which he had a passion. In the Foxwarren area, he was best-known for hockey (being recruited to play junior hockey in southern Ontario in the 1940s), curling, baseball, and golf.
Throughout his life, he applied these early lessons of fair play, determination to make things happen, how to be a good role model, and how to be part of a team.
Calvin is survived by his wife, Elsie (MacKay); four children, Neil (Debbie) Thorpe, Linda Thorpe, Ellen (Donald) Graham, and John (Jen) Thorpe; six grandchildren, Wade Thorpe (Jody), Andrew, Jennifer Thorpe (Greg), Katy Trimble (Conan), Will Byman (Megan), and Donna Hunter (Grant); and 14 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are his sister, Elaine (Donald) Low; brothers, Murray (Carol) Thorpe and Donald (Jean) Thorpe; sister-in-law, Helen MacKay; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Alvin and Bella Thorpe; in-laws, John and Levenia MacKay; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Donald MacKay, Beatrice MacKay, and Isabelle and George MacDonald; nephews, Ross Low and Glen MacKay; and niece, Marjorie Soltys, and her son, Sheldon.
Calvin enjoyed 25 years of retired life in Fort Frances, a community he loved and supported, and that in turn supported him.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Rev. Barbara Miller officiating.
Flowers gratefully declined.
In memoriam donations may be made to Knox United Church (Renewal Fund), 340 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1E1 or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com