Stewart "Stu" Arthur Birnie

It is with much sadness that we announce the sudden & peaceful passing of Stewart Birnie at the Grandview District Hospital on Saturday evening, November 2, 2019.
Stewart was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 18, 1936 and came to Manitoba as an infant with his adoptive parents to the Vista district of Gilbert Plains.  He attended Vista School and Brickburn Collegiate in Gilbert Plains.  After graduation, he worked for INCO in Thompson and at Atikokan, ON for a time before returning back home to farm.
He married Donna Gallant of Gilbert Plains on November 18, 1967.  They lived most of their married life on the farm but due to health problems they retired to town in May of 2007.
Stew loved life to the fullest and participated in everything.  He loved to curl (especially at the old curling rink in Ashville). He liked playing cards, dancing, quadding, riding his motor bike, playing golf, and bowling, or just to sit and visit and talk about the good old days and all the fun he had.
In 1995, he was elected to the Gilbert Plains rural council where he served on numerous boards; the Veterinary Board, Sunset Lodge, G.P. Place, G.P. Care Home as well as the board of St. Paul’s United Church.  He so enjoyed working with the public.  He was a Life Member of the Gilbert Plains Grandview Agricultural Society.
Besides farming, he volunteered where ever he was needed.  For many years he hauled cattle to the Dauphin Livestock Auction Mart.  Many will remember him working for Norman Bates and Peter VanDersWaag.
Stew loved all animals especially his cows (his girls as he called them). It was not unusual for him to get a call at 4am that someone needed help with a calving problem.  
In later years Stew and Donna were able to enjoy numerous trips to Mexico and Arizona to visit friends and family.
Due to failing health, he was admitted to the Grandview Care Home on October 25, 2018.
He is survived by his wife Donna; his children, Stacey (David Dykun), Sharon (Bert Sequin) and Scott Birnie; grandchildren, Jordan (Stephanie), Alexa (Daan), Dylan (Kristan), Tori Dykun and Paige Sequin; half-brother Lorne Fryer and his wife Leslie, their children Michelle and Brian and families; sister-in-law Sharon Gallant, sister and brother-in-law Neil and Lori Hockridge; many nieces and nephews and extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Les & Auleen Birnie; his only sister Beryl and her husband Calvin Pollock, their children,  Leslie Tweedy, Lorne Anderson and Calvin Pollock Jr., his in-laws, Joe and Alma Gallant; brother-in-law Wayne Gallant, and niece Jennifer Gallant and granddaughter Kelsey Dykun.
His smiling face and silly jokes will be missed.  He talked to everyone whether he knew them or not.  Strangers were just friends he hadn’t met yet.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and neighbour and we will miss him.  We love you.  Rest in Peace.
Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 2:00 pm from Richardson Pioneer Community Hall in Gilbert Plains,MB   with Rev. Karen Kuzek officiating.  Interment followed in Eldon Cemetery in Gilbert Plains, MB. 

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Stu may be made to Gilbert Plains Fire & Ambulance Services: 

Gilbert Plains Emergency Services

C/O Gilbert Plains Municipality PO Box 220
Gilbert Plains, MB  R0L 0X0 Fire and Ambulance Service or to the charity of one's choice. 

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