Victor Joseph Lion

1925 – 2012

After a lengthy battle with cardiac, pancreatic, and kidney problems Victor left this world surrounded by family at 7:25 AM on February 23, 2012.

Victor is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Anne. He is also survived by his three children, John (Del), Garry (Barb), Carol (John) Ellis, and four grandchildren, John Paul, Lukas of Anola, Kyllan and Trenton. He is also survived by brother John (Ann) Lion; nephews Jim (Liz) and Robert (Cyndi) and their families. He is also survived by his wife Anne’s siblings Bill Rempel (Syl), Henry Rempel (Kathleen), Margaret Maddess, Martha Plett (Alvin), and Richard Rempel (Gwen) and their families. Victor is also survived by his cousins Mary Dalzell and Connie Clattenburg.

Victor was predeceased by his parents Paul and Julie in 1990 and 1995 respectively. He was also predeceased by his son James Eric in 1971 whom he dearly missed until his own death.

Victor was born in Lazdya, Lithuania on March 20, 1925. In 1937, Victor and his younger brother John, and his mother Julie Liaukevicius (nee Mockevicute), boarded the ship “Berlin” to join his father Paul to start their new life in Canada.

Victor was raised in the Austin/MacGregor, Manitoba area where he met his wife Anne. He was the product of one of the last one room country schools at Springbrook and Emmelline school districts.

During the Second World War after becoming of age, he served with distinction in the Canadian Army becoming a paratrooper with the First Canadian Parachute Battalion (part of an elite special forces regiment) until his discharge in 1946.

On March 8th, 1947, he married Anne (nee Rempel).

After the war Victor worked at several ventures until he joined Viking Pump of Canada in 1955 as District Manager where he remained until his retirement in 1993.

He was an avid outdoorsman. Both Victor and Anne loved boating and fishing at their “little piece of heaven”, their log cabin near Pointe Du Bois. Victor was a member of the Army, Navy, and Air Force veterans of Canada, Winnipeg Game and Fish Association, and of St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church until its closing in 2000.

In keeping with Victor’s wishes, there will be a celebration of his life on March 7th at 2:00 PM at the Klassen Funeral Home. A reception will follow the service at the same location. Victor has been cremated. Internment at the family plot in Elmwood Cemetery will take place at a later date with immediate family attending.

Victor’s family would like to thank Dr. N. Kahn, staff of the third floor of Concordia hospital, all staff of the emergency Dept., and ICU for their arduous, professional, and “over the top” care given to Dad.

In lieu of flowers, Victor and his family would ask that you remember him in your own special way, commit to an act of kindness every day, hold your family and friends dear, tell them that you love them, and give flowers to someone, so that they may enjoy them today.

Weep not for me but courage take. Love one another for my sake, for those you love don’t go away, they walk inside you every day.

Rest in peace dear Son, Husband, and Father.