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You could say major chapters in Darren Becker’s life were his love of books and Bombers.
That’s because Darren, who was 59 when he died on Dec. 8, loved sports when he was a kid and through the years was known to go to local hotels collecting autographs from visiting players.
Darren’s sports passion was so great he was hired by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1989 to work in their equipment room, ultimately becoming equipment manager.
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He left Winnipeg in 1996 to take on a similar role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League followed by the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe.
Then came the next chapter of his life.
Darren took over the Selkirk Book Exchange used book store from his parents in 2000.
“It is completely different than football where I was constantly on the go with 50 players to look after, to being here, with a cat,” he told the Free Press in a 2015 story on the store.
The store was originally opened by his aunt on Selkirk Avenue in the late 1950s with his parents taking it over after his aunt died in 1976. It moved to different locations through the years and had been at 442 McGregor St. since 1996.
Darren’s obituary says that at the book business “he formed countless friendships, as customers quickly became friends.
“Darren had a gift for connecting with people and his kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who walked through the bookstore doors.”
Besides books and sports, Darren also loved being a father as well as animals — especially cats — gardening and cooking.
Darren is survived by his son, mother, brother, and his friend Jennifer and her two daughters.
Read more about Darren.
How They Lived
Gordon Hendrickson served many communities during his life.
Gordon, who was 102 when he died on Dec. 6, was a Lutheran pastor.
During more than 40 years he preached in 25-plus churches across rural Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Read more about Gordon.
Ellen Donogh helped students read.
Ellen, who died on Dec. 26 at 70 years of age, was a teacher-librarian at Queenston and Luxton Schools. She was awarded the Manitoba School Library Association’s distinguished service award in 2012.
She also reviewed books for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.
Read more about Ellen.
John Cochrane worked in radio for decades.
John, who was 87 when he died on Dec. 22, worked at CFOB in Fort Frances and CKRC here before joining CJOB in the 1960s.
He rose to become president and general manager of the station in 1988, and through the years, he hired both Peter Warren and Bob Irving.
John was also president of the Winnipeg Press Club in 1974.
Read more about John.
Leila Farrell probably schooled many curling opponents.
Leila, who was 92 when she died, worked as a teacher in Ontario.
Later, after coming to Winnipeg, she served for years on the executive of the CFB Winnipeg Curling Club and also curled with the Charleswood Legion.
Leila was president of the Manitoba Ladies Curling Association in 1989-90 and was honoured with a life membership with Curl Manitoba in 1991.
Read more about Leila.
Neil Happychuk was a Winnipeg police officer for 28 years.
Neil, who was 71 when he died on Dec. 16, served in all of the city’s districts and rose to become a sergeant before retiring in 2004.
He retired to his cabin in Buffalo Point, was passionate about ice fishing, and was out ice fishing with his dog when he broke through the ice and tragically drowned. His family is asking for donations so specialty equipment can be purchased for locating drowning victims.
Read more about Neil.
George Katsabanis sold homes and Greek food.
George, who was 89 when he died on Dec. 19, was born in Greece and came here in 1962.
He became a real estate agent and, a few years later was named the city’s number one agent of 1972. He even opened his own brokerage called Dorion Realty.
George, with his brother, sister and her husband, opened Homer’s Restaurant in 1979 and it was named the best Greek restaurant in Western Canada by Western Living magazine. He ran the restaurant for 45 years before retiring in 2024.
He was president of the local Winnipeg Greek community and he was one of the people instrumental in the creation of the Greek Islands pavilion during Folklorama.
Read more about George.
A Life’s Story
She may have been born Mary Maksymczuk but Mary Roberts’ maiden name helped propel the success of a sweater and wool company.
That’s because when Mary was a teen, and working at a company in rural Manitoba selling wool and spinning wheels, she agreed to allow them to use a shortened version of her name for the company’s name.
Mary Roberts was known for the Mary Maxim trademark and her trademark hugs, but her love of animals was profound. (Supplied)
Mary Maxim was the result and more than six decades later the craft company’s mail order division is still around with its sweaters having been worn by celebrities including Bob Hope, Angela Lansbury and the Barenaked Ladies.
Mary later became known for her hugs when she became a member of the Sisters of the Holy Rock.
Read more about Mary’s life.
Until next time, I hope you continue to write your own life’s story.
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