John Arthur Staniland

John Arthur Staniland

1939 - 2018

On November 7, 2018 John Staniland of Minitonas, Manitoba passed way suddenly. John was 78 years old.

John was the first child born to Arthur and Annie Staniland in Swan River, Manitoba in December of 1939. As a child he attended Sinclair River School and then later on Minitonas. John grew up and lived in the Minitonas area his whole life starting on the original “80 acres” family homestead. He then spent the majority of his years at the family’s new location a few miles north east of there just off the Lenswood highway until he moved from the farm into Minitonas in October of 2011. John was first involved in farming with his parents. He then later farmed on his own and with his brother Doug growing grain and raising cows. He also worked together with his long-time friend Jean as they looked after each other’s cattle together at John’s farm. John also did some mechanic work, construction, drove school bus for Swan Valley School Division, bartended at the Swan River Legion clubroom, and after retiring from farming he spent several seasons cutting roadsides all over northern Manitoba.

John picked up a strong love for cooking, baking, canning and gardening from his mother and he loved food in general. He also really enjoyed going for a drive and checking out new restaurants and new places, and he liked to take family and friends along for those rides. John had a lot of different cars, trucks, and vehicles over the years to go on his tours with and for the past several years, you’d recognize him in Dodge Caravans. If you went with him you didn’t always know where you were headed, but he probably had an idea where he was aiming for.  As a kid, John was in a calf club, and really enjoyed animals and pets, especially dogs. He also enjoyed fishing, curling, playing cards and dunking his nieces and nephews into Grandma’s rain barrel. John was big and strong enough that he was able to enjoy doing that for many years, even as they got bigger too. John loved to pick up the phone and call people, and lately we all seemed to get a lot more of those calls.

John is survived by and will be missed by his sister Elaine Irwin, his sister-in-law Sandra Staniland and his lifelong friend Jean Matwee, as well as six nieces and nephews, Rhonda Baldwin, Sheri Renkas, Tania Flavel, Chris Staniland, Jason Staniland and all their families and Katherine Staniland. He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Annie, his brother Doug, his niece Shannon Lamontagne and his brother-in-law Len Irwin.

As John’s family, we are very thankful and appreciative towards all the nurses, doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, neighbours, friends and others for the care, help and support they provided for John over the last few years and especially the last few months.

In keeping with John’s wishes, he was cremated and laid to rest in Minitonas Cemetery next to his brother. A celebration and remembrance of his life took place on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Chapel of Swan Valley Funeral Services with Rev. Kathy Highmoor officiating.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of John may do so in support of the Community Foundation of Swan Valley or, Swan Valley Health Facilities – Chemotherapy Unit.

Swan Valley Funeral Services

363 Kelsey Trail

Swan River, Manitoba

204-734-5775   www.swanvalleyfuneralservices.com

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