Mr. Clarence Joseph Sinclair

Clarence Joseph Sinclair

Our dad, Clarence Joseph Sinclair departed this world on Sunday, November 13th, 2016.

Dad was born in Kenora on August 16th, 1922, the youngest of seven children born to George and Laura Sinclair. His youth was spent growing up on Seventh Avenue South, during which he met many wonderful friends and acquaintances. Dad would never hesitate to share a story about what it was like back then, and all of us have benefited from his sharing of history. “Sinclair’s Hill” was a place well known to the folks on Seventh Avenue, located behind the house where dad was born, and dad would spend many hours there. At the age of 90, dad made his last trek up “the hill” and spent some time reminiscing of his younger days. Dad was also an outdoors man. He had a special connection with the forest and the sounds of silence on a wilderness lake. Many happy times were spent at his old cabin on Andy Lake, and it was from these times that we became acquainted with Henry David Thoreau, one of dad’s favorites.

Dad always enjoyed reading and books were an important part of his life, leading to good conversations and healthy debates. He had a wonderful memory and could still recite poetry he had learned at an early age. One of dad’s most cherished authors was Robert Service, and we his children are well versed in some of “Service’s best”.

Dad’s career started at a young age, when he and his friend Raymond Beggs would meet the evening CP passenger train to collect the Winnipeg Free Press and Tribune. Then they would head out to the Dominion and Fox café’s selling what they could and finishing up their sales on the street corner. Dad believes they were the last two boys in Kenora to sell papers on the corner. Dad also worked many other jobs including the C.P.R., delivery man, and then he was a Supervisor at St. Mary’s residential school. Mom and dad formed some life-long friendships with many of the students in their care, and some of them would still stop by to visit dad on occasion. Dad also became the first Director of the Detox Centre (now known as Morning Star) and had a natural ability to work with people struggling with addictions. Lastly, dad owned the Lenitsky Block on Second Street and worked the store front until his retirement.

Mom and dad were married in 1943, and dad credits our mother for her constant support through the years. Since her passing on August 2, 2008, he has constantly mourned her and it is then he lost a piece of his own heart. Dad was predeceased by his wife, Maisie; his parents; brothers George, Stanley, Hugh; sisters Ella, Irene and Rae; his in-laws Elmer and Nancy Boucha; brothers in law Henry, Alec, Ernest; sisters in law Leona Wayne and Eleanor McKeever.

Dad is survived by and will be lovingly remembered by his children: Janice and Allan McDonald (Jeff, Jon, Jessica); Henry and Robyn Sinclair (Amanda (Shaun) Lee Paget, Todd (Roxanne) Sinclair); Rosemary and Addie Bain (Tiffany (Chris), Travis (Angelina), Alanna (George MacNeil); James and Gail Sinclair and his great grandchildren, Emily, Kaden, Alyssa, Hayden, Nolan, Julie, Callum and Colton). Also survived by his remaining nephew and nieces, Raymond Sinclair, Emily Quirk, Gail Chassie and Carole Miller and Bernadette Fisher.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Notre Dame Church on Wednesday, November 16th at 9:00 a.m. with Fatherr. Rudy Manaloto officiating. Dad will be laid to rest with the love of his life, our mother, in the Kenora Cemetery.

Honourary pallbearers will be Henry Sinclair, James Sinclair, Allan McDonald, Addie Bain, Jon McDonald and Todd Sinclair. Prayers will be held Tuesday, November 15th at 7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Centre.

“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us” Henry David Thoreau.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

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