Lloyd Emerson Willett

It is with sadness the family of Lloyd Emerson Willett, announce his passing on Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Atikokan General Hospital in Atikokan, Ontario.

Lloyd was born August 29, 1930 in Treherne, Manitoba to the late George and Hilda (Fielding) Willett.

As a young man he was very active in many sports playing competative hockey and baseball, he was an avid curler and he loved to golf. In his early years he bought and sold grain for Manitoba Pool Elevators. He married Jessie Cory in 1958 and settled into a career with Beaver Lumber living in a number of small communities in southern Manitoba. In 1970 the family made the move to Ontario, settling briefly in Thunder Bay while Lloyd commuted for work in Atikokan. He was initially employed by Ontario Hydro building the transformer station on the edge of town and then worked at various jobs over the years returning to work for Ontario Hydro once the construction of the Atikokan Generating Station started. As his children grew and became more involved in various activities, he could be found cheering them on and often driving to out of town hockey tournaments with a station wagon full of boys and equipment.

Lloyd was always involved in the community he lived in. He was proud to be associated with Rossburn (Mb) and then Atikokan Lions Clubs and for many years could be found outside the Post Office selling tickets for whatever raffle the Lions Club had going at the time. He encouraged (or volunteered) his children to help at many a Lions Carnivals and any other activity when extra hands were needed. He was an active member of the Masons for many years as well as Riverview United Church.

Lloyd married Joyanna Ribey in 1985 and they shared 26 years together. In preparation for retirement they built a new home at Warner and purchased a winter home in Texas. They were able to travel south for a few years before his health prevented them from making that journey.

Lloyd will be greatly missed and remembered by his wife, Joyanna Willett of Atikokan, ON.; and children, Corylyn and Doug Cockwell of Newry, ON., Laura and Cliff Fitzharris of Greenwood, Nova Scotia, George and Amy Willett of Carlsbad, CA., Eva Willett of Calgary, AB., Mindy and husband Damian Panayi of Yellowknife, N.W.T., Christy Willett of Calgary, AB., David Ribey and wife Monique, and Doug Ribey and wife Dr. Jo Anne Spencer all of Atikokan, ON.; nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Jessie Willett in 1983; by one brother, Lawson Willett and one sister, Joyce McElroy.

Cremation has taken place at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Minnesota.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Riverview United Church in Atikokan, Ontario with Lynne Dimma officiating.

Honourary pallbearers were Lloyd's coffee buddies, Cheech Morelli, Ray Belanger, and Mike McKinnon and Sparky Clark. Thanks for your years of kinship around the coffee table and on the golf course.

The family would like to thank the staff at Atikokan General Hospital for the care you provided over the years.

Inurnment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ontario at a later date.

Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, ON., P9A 3M8.

On line condolences may be in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com