Earl "Cheetah" Mark Holdaway

E. Mark Holdaway

(Earl) Mark Holdaway of Minnedosa passed away in his sleep the morning of December 1, 2023.

Mark was born on March 10, 1956, the only son of Edgar Morris and Jean (Nackoney) Holdaway, both of whom predeceased him in 1980 and 1974 respectively. He grew up mostly on the Holdaway family farm, east of Brandon. Mark attended Gorrie School, one of the last one-room schools, until it closed. He then attended George Fitton and Meadows in Brandon, Brandon Collegiate Institute and Assiniboine Community College. Mark managed a number of Gondola Pizza locations in Saskatoon and British Columbia, and owned a restaurant in Winnipeg. He also worked at Morris Implements in Minnedosa and HyLife Foods in Neepawa. He had sidelines in landscaping and enjoyed gold-panning out west. As a boy, he amazed his father by taking apart clocks and engines and putting them back together.

Mark is survived by son Jake Fisher of Calgary, his older sister Janet Maydan (Mike) of Almonte, Ontario, younger sister Patricia Bergen of Portage la Prairie, nephew Adam Daniels (Amanda) of Long Plain, nieces Lindsey Bergen Perchak (Cody) of Portage la Prairie, Randi Bertholet (Trent) of Houston, Texas and Valancy Reynolds (David) of Ottawa. He is fondly remembered by Anita and Lesley Fisher of Minnedosa and their family. Past and present brothers-in-law, Bob Bergen and Mike Maydan recall Mark's humour, hard-working helping hands, Blue Bomber camaraderie and fun. His many friends at "Hobo Junction" will miss his hosting of Sunday afternoon get-togethers. His long-time friend since Grade Six, Guy Turenne, shared many of his younger adventures and projects. Everyone has a favourite story about Mark, who went by nicknames most of his life and was fondly known as Cheetah.

His family thanks his friends and staff at the Minnedosa Inn for the support they gave Mark, Kelvin Jones and Bill Hooper in particular. We are also grateful for the care and comfort he received at the Minnedosa, Neepawa and Brandon hospitals, and Cancer Care Manitoba.

A gentle unassuming spirit, happy with his everyday joys, Mark moves beyond us.

Cremation has taken place. A gathering will be held in Minnedosa at a later date. White's Funeral Services in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:

CancerCare Manitoba Foundation

1160 – 675 McDermot Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R3E 0V9

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