My cousin Rod, my sister Elaine and I were the three grandchildren of Horatio (Harry) and Margaret (nee Campbell) Bower. Harry and Margaret had eight children: Rod’s father, Frank, was the second of four boys; our dad, Harold, was third. Rod, Elaine and I grew up in Winnipeg, went to college in Winnipeg and on graduation from college moved out of Winnipeg
Rod was six years my senior and eight years older than Elaine. We got together with Rod mostly at Christmas celebrations. Christmas dinner at our dad’s parents was a tradition. All the kids and grandkids got together. Grandma cooked the turkey, trimmings and apple pies in her spacious “country style kitchen: at 187 Maryland. Competitive cribbage, canasta and other card games were played in the parlors. We all caught up on what we all were doing. Football was big in Winnipeg and Rod was a star player. We all followed Rod’s career and looked forward to hearing about Rod’s exploits in the Junior League and with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Rod’s father Frank was an avid supporter and we sometimes joined him and dad to watch Rod play.
After leaving Winnipeg our pathways diverged – but we always followed with interest what Rod was up to. Of late, Rod’s passion for ancestry has added to our collective understanding of our roots. We will miss him and the conversations we can never have.
Richard and Elaine Bower
