Obituary of Wayne Joseph Chrismas

~~Wayne Chrismas age 64, born Oct. 7, 1952 in Ste Rose du Lac MB, and long time resident of Grande Prairie AB, has passed on, after a stay at the Points West Hospice in Grande Prairie on June 27, 2017.

If you met Wayne once, he was unforgettable, not just because of his wonderful name or his size, and let me tell you, he was big, bigger than most people you'll have met in your life; but because of the size of his personality and the size of his heart. Wayne was many things to many people. He was your buddy, he was your boss, or he was both. To me he was both, a dear friend and a demanding boss, but his friendship always came first.

I know many of his acquaintances and friends will agree, Wayne had a way with people.  He had genuine care and interest in their lives.  He was generous and kind, sympathetic and always willing to help, but he could also tell you to "grow a set and deal with it", when necessary! Here was a man that would pick you up from the airport, or watch your dog, and even mow your lawn. There was many a Saturday that I would wake up to the sound of my lawnmower, and I'd know that Wayne was puttering around my yard just because it made him happy to ride the mower, and to have a coffee and a smoke while doing it.

My friend Wayne spent many an hour at my home, and most evenings for many, many years we could count on him coming out for coffee and a visit. I think we pretty much heard and told the same stories many times over, but his presence was what was important. He was a part of our family, and we feel a great loss that he will no longer share the day with us.

There are so many more memories that I could tell you about him, I could probably write a book. But those of you who knew him will have different memories than I, and of what he meant to you or how he affected your life. Please cherish those memories as he cherished each and every friendship he made. No one could go away from meeting him without a lasting memory of his presence.

Wayne did not marry nor have children. Although he did have relationships in his life, but from what I know, he was easy to love but very hard to live with.  He chose to focus his love on his pets. They were his constant companions, and he would always bring them to work with him.  Through the years he had several dogs, Kakwa a big dumb sweet Rottweiler, and a series of Bulldogs, Nikita, Lucille and sweet Angel, and finally Zeus a Mastiff, and we can't forget Taz, the lovely Persian kitty that would ride on the dash of his truck to work every day.

Wayne was predeceased by his father Garry Chrismas in 1989 and his mother Germaine Caumartin Chrismas in 2016. He is survived by his brothers Rene Chrismas and wife Sharon of Brandon MB, Richard Chrismas of Winnipeg MB, Allan Chrismas of Halifax NS and his sister Diane Smith and her husband Gordon of Ft. Saskatchewan AB. I know they will miss him greatly. He has many nieces and nephews to whom he has great affection for and to whom I hope do not take offence that I have not named them. 

Wayne did not wish for a showy send-off, he would prefer that you choose to celebrate his life in a way that helps you through this and to know and remember him as the man he was.  Do not be sad, be glad that he lived his life exactly as he chose and he wouldn't have had it any other way.

If you feel the need to make a gesture of condolence, and please there is no obligation, he would be so happy if you chose to donate to the Points West Hospice. @ GP Hospice Palliative Care Society, PO Box 21215, Grande Prairie, Alberta  T8V 6W7  The wonderful nurses, doctors, support staff and every amazing human being who works there deserve the most that we can give them for their selfless care and absolute genuine affection to the residents who spend their final days in this place of love.  Much love to them for their wonderful care of my friend Wayne Chrismas.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home (780)830-7742  www.bearcreekfuneral.com