Obituary of JOHN HARVEY KJARTANSON

JOHN HARVEY KJARTANSON December 28, 1925 – April 7, 2014 Peacefully on Monday, April 7, 2014 at the Rosewood Residence, John Harvey Kjartanson passed away, having just spent the prior evening with family for his usual Sunday dinner. John was predeceased by his wife Patricia (Smyth), his father Julius, his mother Gudbjorg and his siblings Jules (Grace), Kjartan (Doris), Terry (Gerry), Dorothy Tuck (Roy), Gwen Jackett (Roy) and Evelyn Clark (Jimmy). Left to mourn his passing are, sons Kelly (Jennifer) and Bruce (Cathy), grandchildren Bryan, Nicole, Melanie and Jonathan; sisters Hazel MacLeod (Malcolm), Vivian Stunden (William), Helen Plett (Vern) and numerous other family members. John was born in the Westbourne district on December 28, 1925. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1930. He attended Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate and was in the air cadets. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at age 17 in November 1943 and served until September 1946. John initially worked at the Manitoba Power Commission where he met and married the love of his life Pat. He worked the balance of his career as an auditor with the Unemployment Insurance Commission and Revenue Canada. He particularly enjoyed working with small business owners to help them solve their payroll problems. After his retirement in 1987, he and Pat enjoyed many winters in San Diego, along with travelling to Victoria, Hawaii, San Antonio and other locations. John enjoyed playing baseball in his early years and later enjoyed curling and golf until he could no longer participate due to ill health. He enjoyed watching sports and spent many hours following curling, football, golf and hockey. As with most of the Kjartanson family, John particularly enjoyed playing cards including cribbage and rummy. For a number of years, he would go to his sister Vivian’s cottage with Gwen and Helen for a weekend of vigorous card playing. He became impatient when the girls would go for a swim, leaving him to mind the cards until the game could resume. Lately, at Rosewood, his new home, when Vivian and Helen got together with him for their regular Friday lunches, they would play several hands of rummy with “lucky” John winning the majority of hands. John always enjoyed doing the Jumbles and crossword puzzles in the Free Press and continued the challenge until his passing. He always thought doing them helped keep his mind sharp. Family was always first with John; attending the Kjartanson get-togethers was a priority. Sunday dinners with his immediate family were also a ritual he continually looked forward to and enjoyed, as well as regular Thursday night dinners at Tuxedo Village with Kelly. John enjoyed his independence - he had just moved from his apartment to the Rosewood in February, where staff had made him feel at home. Birthdays were always celebrated by going out to the restaurant of the celebrant’s choice with Dad/Grandpa picking up the tab. John was also very generous with his time and talents. For a number of years as a favour to several relatives and friends, he efficiently prepared their tax returns. The light of his life was his family, with a special spot in his heart for his grandchildren. John will be missed by all and will be remembered for his generous, thoughtful and caring nature. A reception celebrating John’s life will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.