Obituary of Arthur Henri Dinelle

It is with great sadness that the family announces the death of our father and grandfather, Art Dinelle, on Friday, August 6, 2010, at the age of 80 years. Art is reunited with his wife Marion, brothers, Eddy (Jeanette), Larry, Maurice (Patricia), sister Alice, and daughter-in-law Julie. He will be sadly missed by son Rick (Marlene) of Winnipeg, daughter Lynn (James) Juliak, grandchildren Kaili, Karla and Joel. Also left to mourn are brothers Phil (Jeanine), Dan (Annette), sisters Gabrielle (Paul) Gold and Terry McKilligan. Dad was born May 3rd, 1930, on a farm, east of Saskatoon. There were nine children in the family, all living in a shack with no running water or electricity. Dad and two brothers had to share a bed. Art was lucky enough to get enrolled in St. Peter's College in Muenster, Saskatchewan for his high school years. Furthering his education, he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.A and University of Manitoba with a B. Ed. Art started his teaching career at Lebret, at the Indian Residential School. After three years, he decided to finish his education at Teacher's College in Winnipeg. It was there that he rekindled his love of music, buying an old saxophone. With a few other students, they started a band, and before long, they were playing gigs outside Winnipeg. In 1955, Dad was hired to teach in Flin Flon and within a year, he became principal's relief, which meant he had to travel to five schools and teach every day. After four years, he became a principal. At this time he met a new teacher, Marian Fitzpatrick. They started to date at Christmas, were engaged at Easter, and married in August 1960. Rick was born in 1961 and Lynn in 1962. Dad was a principal for 26 years, many of those years also teaching Phys Ed. for the whole school. He really enjoyed that, as it gave him an opportunity to know every student. He remembered an amazing number of former students, and was always proud when one of "his kids" did well. Art and Marion moved to Brandon in 1995, where Dad continued to take care of Mom in her failing health. He really enjoyed being closer to family, friends, and following different sporting events. He was a faithful fan of his grandchildren's events. Once Mom passed away in 2002, he thoroughly enjoyed discussing (arguing) current affairs and especially sports, with his coffee buddies. Not many football games would go by without a call at some point in the game. He was watching TSN until the end. One of his great joys was to play music. Throughout his life, he would bring his piano and play for various functions, at Seniors Homes and Hobbs Manor, just having fun and laughing with all the people. This continued right up until his passing with Dad playing at his 80th birthday and at his 55 year school reunion, with Lynn singing. The family would like to thank the staff at the Brandon CCPN, along with CancerCare Manitoba for the excellent care they gave Dad. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, 327-4th Street, on Friday, August 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Dominic Yuen as Celebrant, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Art may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, "Western MB Cancer Care Project," 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3 or to World Vision Canada, 1 World Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5T 2Y4.