We are heartbroken. Herbert
George Osmond passed away
on February 8, 2021 at
Country Meadows Personal
Care Home, in Neepawa,
Manitoba at the age of 86.
Herb was born in
Springhill, Nova Scotia on
May 4, 1934. As a teenager,
he attended school, worked
at odd jobs, became a captain
in the cadets and was a frequent soloist in high school
concerts. In 1952, as a scrawny 18-year-old, he hopped
on a train and travelled to the other end of the country, to
Vancouver, BC, to begin training with the RCMP.
Herb trained in Vancouver and Regina and on
completion, had an early posting in Dauphin, where he
met the love of his life, Audrey Archer. Back then, a young
RCMP officer had to meet a number of requirements
before being allowed to marry. They had to have five
years of service with the RCMP, $1,200 in the bank and
permission from their Commanding Officer. Herb begged
and borrowed the $1,200 and got permission from his
C.O. to marry. His fifth anniversary of joining the RCMP
was August 22, 1957 and two days later, on August 24,
1957, Herb and Audrey were married.
Members of the RCMP were transferred frequently,
and Herb and Audrey and the kids moved from Dauphin
to Flin Flon, Nipigon, Morden, Sprague, Selkirk and
Powerview, where they stayed until Herb’s retirement
from the RCMP in 1976. Before he retired from the
RCMP, Herb took courses through the University of
Saskatchewan and in 1975, obtained a certificate in
hospital administration. When he retired from the RCMP
in 1976, he became the administrator of the hospital in
Pine Falls, where they lived from 1976 until 1980.
In 1980, Herb and Audrey moved to Neepawa.
From 1980 to 1994, Herb was the administrator of East
View Lodge. During those years, he worked on many
committees with the Manitoba Health Organization, both
regionally and provincially.
Herb was active in the Neepawa community and was
especially proud of the work he did as a Rotarian. He was
a Paul Harris Fellow in 2007. In 2007, Herb and Audrey
moved back to where they first met, Dauphin, where they
lived until 2015, when they moved back to Neepawa.
Herb was a devoted husband and father and loved to
spend time with Audrey and the kids. Herb was proud
of his children and was grateful that they enjoyed each
others’ company. Herb liked trying recipes in the kitchen
– pancakes, donut holes, molasses pull-taffy and fried
baloney were just a few of his specialities. He would sing
silly songs to encourage the kids to brush their teeth. He
told little fibs to help him pull off surprises – like telling
the kids he was taking them to a farm to buy eggs and
letting them discover on their own that there was a puppy
in that egg crate.
Herb was always working on his golf game and was
active with the Neepawa golf course. He enjoyed a good
laugh – puns and plays on words were his favourites.
His love of music stayed with him from his childhood to
his adult years. He had a lovely singing voice and was
great at creating beautiful harmonies. He knew more
silly songs than anybody and could make up lyrics to suit
any occasion. In the last few years of his life, he enjoyed
singing with the men’s choir, the Hims. Herb’s family
extends a special thanks to Brian Bailey, Ivan Traill and
the other gentle souls of the Hims for their patience and
support as Herb continued to love singing with them but
became less able to keep up.
When Herb began to develop symptoms of dementia
Audrey was determined to keep him happily living at
home for as long as possible. The indignities of late stage
Alzheimer’s disease robbed Herb of so much – his
beautiful singing voice, his ability to make a pun, tell a
story or reminisce with Audrey about their adventures
over the years, and his gentle good-nature. In October
2020, it became necessary for Herb to move into Country
Meadows. Herb’s family is grateful for the lovely staff at
Country Meadows who were so very patient with Herb
and provided him with exceptional care.
Herb leaves behind Audrey, his wife of 63 years, to
whom he was devoted, children Judy Zeke (Dave),
David Osmond (Anna) and Brenda Osmond (Bob),
grandchildren Paul Zeke (Maddie) and Laura Zeke
(Juan), Robyn Osmond (Rui), Tyler Osmond (Kori), and
four great-grandsons.
A private service will be held for the immediate family
when we are able to do that. Memorial donations may be
made to the Alzheimer’s Society. And please, the next
time you have a silly song stuck in your head, think of
Herb!
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to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Herbert George Osmond, please visit our floral store.