OSBORN Thomas
Posted: March 2nd, 2016
Thomas Fairfax Osborn
Feb 25, 1935 – Feb 24, 2016
Passed away peacefully after a brief illness. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife and lifelong partner of 60 years Jennie (Ward). His three daughters Thorunn Richter (Vince), Susan Osborn, Karen Gagne (Mark), Grandchildren Vincent Richter (Sarah), Kevin Richter (Jodi), Julie Richter, Desmond Osborn, Madisen Osborn-Layton, Megan Osborn-Layton and great-grandsons Liam and Jace Richter. He also leaves his sister Jennifer Hedges (Julian) and their sons, Simon, Peter and Richard Hedges.
He was born in Swindon England and was predeceased by his only son Christopher Fairfax Osborn in 1961, sister Denise Osborn in 2001 and parents Bertha Evelyn Osborn and Charles Fairfax Osborn.
After completing his education, he served in the Royal Air Force as a SAC in Armament Mechanics.
He married the love of his life Jennie Ward R.N. in 1956. They then immigrated to Canada in 1957 and first settled in Stonewall MB where many lifelong memories and friendships began. In 1960 they moved to Laurie River MB where he began his career with Sherrit Gordon Hydro. They then moved to Pointe du Bois MB in 1965 to continue his career with hydro. In 1972 he returned to school to attend the Canadian Labor College (McGill University) which led to his career with CUPE. His CUPE career took him to Grande Prairie, AB, Edmonton AB and finally settled in Lethbridge AB. While in Lethbridge he facilitated new programs and innovations for CUPE that are still prevalent today. He remained active as an officer of the LDLC for over 20 years and then he retired. The main highlight of his career was being honored as a lifetime member of CUPE.
He expressed extreme gratitude for each and every person he met, worked with or formed lifelong friendships with and everyone who supported him through his lifelong journey.
He was a man larger than life with a booming voice who loved his family with fierceness and great pride. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him but mostly by his wife Jennie of 60 years, his daughters and their families.
A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a future date. Flowers are gratefully declined instead please make a donation to your charity of choice.
The family would like to thank everyone that has helped since his passing each and every one of you hold a special place in our hearts.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Dear Jennie, Karen & Family: The sudden and heart wrenching loss of a remarkable, caring, devoted, passionate, and lovely spouse, father, grandfather, uncle and a superb friend whom I had regarded as like a virtual “second father” and mentor was another one of life’s unfair events. Tom Osborn was a reliable, giving, kind, great friend and mentor unto me. Upon hearing lamentable tidings of Tom’s sudden demise was like being “clothes lined” as I had just conversed with him over the telephone the previous day and had wished him an early “Happy Birthday” about 48 hrs. prior to its expected occurrence. Tomorrow is not guaranteed: There is only the here and now. I take some modicum of solace with my limited memories of my late superb friend, Tom. His unpretentiousness; his indomitable fervour for labour rights for the working person and social justice; his empathy for the suffering of others; his ebullient laughter over absurdities and ironies; his overt authenticity; harvested gifts of drink and rare food items. Yet, my loss of his cherished friendship pales in comparison to the crushing loss you all are experiencing as his role as a loving family man transcends my brief time with him as one of my few treasured friends. And so the grief of Tom’s shocking demise is so much more intensely felt by all of you, yet, it is my hope, that the quality and quantity of your collective and individual loving intimate memories shall gradually mitigate your deep sorrows. With time, may the blessings of fond memories of Tom’s unique presence in your family heal in whole, or in part for such an onerous and very lamentable personal loss.
With Profound Condolences, Peter Lee