Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.11.1991, Blaðsíða 14

14 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 1. nóvember 1991
Freeman Skaptason Honoured
by Elnar Arnason
Freeman, often referred
to as Frim, is descended
from Icelandic parents. His
early days were spent on
his parents’ farm in the
Baldur - Glenboro area of
Manitoba where he at-
tended elementary school.
Completing Grade eight,
he left for Ashern,
Manitoba,where he com-
pleted Grades IX and X.
It was here that he and
his great friend Leo Barnes
teamed up, both having
the same goal, namely to
acquire a university
degree. This was during
the Great Depression years
of the Thirties. No decent-
paying job was to be had
and casual work was
scarce. It was simply take any-
thing you could get and spend
next to nothing. Thus they worked
for farmers, fishermen and mer-
chants, doing anything, no matter
how menial or low paying, even
digging and drying Seneca Root.
From there they left for Win-
nipeg after completing Grade X.
Arriving at the J. B. Academy, their
friend and mentor, Salome
Halldorsson, arranged a crash
course in laboratory experiments.
Ashern did not have these facilities
and it was a requirement.
From there Frim went to Wesley
College, present day University
of Winnipeg, to complete his
university education. It was here
that he ran out of funds and
headed for the mines in Northern
Manitoba. It was also during the
period leading up to World War II.
With only one year left he was
caught up in the turmoil of war
and that ended his university
career.
On his 80th birthday he was hon-
oured by the residents of
Betelstadur, including guests and
family. The following tribute was
paid to him on the occasion:
MESSUBOÐ
Fyrsta Lúterska
Kirkja
Pastor Ingthor I. Isfeld
10:30 a.m The Service followed hy
Sunday Schooi & Coffee hour.
Firsi Lulheran Church
580 Viclor St., Winnipeg IVIB
R3G 1R2 Ph. 772 7444
where we are sitting this
very moment. ”
Not only has Frim
served us well, but during
The Second World War
he served our country
with honour and dedi-
cation.'
As the war clouds gath-
ered, he prepared himself
for the eventual conflagra-
tion which gripped Europe
during long years. Being
interested in radio commu-
nication, he found himself
in the Royal Canadian
Corps of Signals.
His sphere of action
was the landing on the
mine-laden, bullet-swept
beaches of Southern Sic-
ried our forces to victory in a situa-
tion fraught with the danger of in-
stant death or being maimed for
life. From there, as part of the First
Canadian Corps and Allied Forces,
he fought across Sicily and through
Italy, until the enemy was van-
quished. Then with his formation,
he went on to join the Canadian
forces in Western Europe.
After demobilization he joined
the Department of Veterans Affairs
until retirement.
Freeman has fond memories of
the J. B. Academy and of his good
friend Leo Barnes, and he mentions
Salome Halldorsson, on the Acad-
emy staff, with great respect. Salome
was a person who encouraged
and acted as a guiding light during
those difficult years of severe
“We are not
here to remind
him he is an
older senior
citizen, but to
express our
thanks for the
great effort he
has put into
bringing about
our home,
B etelstadur.
Heremany ofus
reside in com-
fort and good
companion-
ship, duringour
twiligh t years.
“For the past
20 years he
has quietly and
persistently, as
a boardmember
of the Betel
Founda tion,
directed his
efforts to have
a Betel home
for the elderly
built in Win-
nipeg. It is through his singular
effort we nowhave Betelstadurand
a personal care home about to be
built immediately to the North of
of the
iation
reception on October 7th last. His efforts over the years have resulted in íhe
construction of Betelstadur and the subsequent approvai of a Winnipeg nursing
home for Betel. We all owe him a deep debt of gratitude.
the fine
Several years ago, raany in our group stated that, Gimli had a Betel, Selkirk had
a Betel, but Winnipeg, where most of our people resided, had no Betel. This was
a great disappointraent as raany of our elderiy Winnípeggers did not wish to leave
ment, and in
In this connection, I can only say that the hopes and dreams of many
yesteryears Iqelandic Canadians have now attairied the pinnacle of achievement,
and Prim Skaptason deserves a great accolade for his tireless and unseifish ei
Thank You Frim,
S, A. Thorarinson,
former Consul General
ts.
ily, against a formidable and deter-
mined foe in the form of the Ger-
man armed forces. Individual de-
termination and nerves of steel car-
economic depression in the face
of international conflagration,
culminating in the second World
War.
Lögberg-Heimskringta
ANNUAL
MEETING
wiil foe heldon
November 19, 1991
at 7:30 p.m.
at the Scandinavian Centre’s
Norwegian Room,
764 Erin Street in Winnipeg
Bestu kveðjur — Best wishes
to all from the
lcelandic Canadian Club of Toronto
David S. Scarth, President
Minnist
I ERFÐASKRAM YÐAR
Veshirfarashrá 1870 -1914
by Júníus H. Kristinsson
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