WILLIAM CONRAD ‘CON’ SHARP

William Conrad “Con” Sharp, 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. after a courageous battle with cancer.
Con was born Oct. 28, 1926 in Stratton, Ont. to Theresa and Dave Sharp. He lived, worked, and stayed in Northwestern Ontario his entire life.
On Feb. 12, 1953, Con was united in marriage to Lydia Dommasch. Their first and only home was on Sharp Road in Stratton, which is where they remained for 58 amazing years raising a family of six children, numerous cows, chickens, dogs, cats, “blue” rabbits, prairie chicken, and deer.
After he graduated from high school in 1947, Con worked his entire life in logging, farming, or construction.
Over the last 30 years, his work focused on the gravel industry. He went into business with his brother, Charlie, and they became known throughout the district as C. Sharp Construction.
During this time, he discovered the second love of his life, his Cedar Rapids 443 Commander gravel crusher. Nothing made him happier than to be at the gravel pit working with his crusher. He took great pride in his piles of 1 1/8-inch sewer stone and 5/8-inch crushed gravel, and if he sold a yard, he had to crush another two.
His goal was to gravel all of Northwestern Ontario!
Con loved to dance and spent many evenings at the Moose Lodge or Legion in Baudette, Mn. kicking up his heels or helping to serve meals.
He also enjoyed travelling with Lydia on the numerous bus tours and Alaskan cruises. But his FAVOURITE part of the trip was always turning down Sharp Road knowing that he was almost home.
Con attended Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood, Ont., where he had many good friends and always enjoyed the fellowship of everyone who attended. He also was an active member of the Fr. Florentine Council of the Knights of Columbus in Rainy River, Ont.
Con is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Lydia Sharp (nee Dommasch); his children, David (Rose), Terry (Dorothy), Kip (Theresa), and Lisa (Paul).
Also mourning his passing are his grandchildren, Stephanie Sharp-Arcangelo (Aaron), Michael Sharp (Yolanda), Timothy Sharp, Byron Sharp, Alexis Sharp, Ashley Sharp (special friend, Travis), Adam Sharp, Jessica Cousineau, Donovan Cousineau, and Chandler Counsineau.
One sister, Helen Steele; two great-grandchildren, Kiera and Dominic; numerous nieces and nephews; three brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law also survive Con.
Con was pre-deceased by his parents, Dave and Theresa Sharp; in-laws, Art and Minnie Dommasch; two children, Donald and Donna; brothers, Lawrence, Eugene (Red), and Charlie; sisters, Mary and Doris; as well as his infant great-grandson, Nicolas.
A prayer service will be held Friday, April 8, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood.
Internment will take place at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Stratton.
(An Old Irish Blessing)
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
In memoriam donations may be made to Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. (palliative care) c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com