Christian (Chris) S. Tomasson

Christian Sydney Tomasson (Chris), aged 85, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026 at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, surrounded by family.

Dad is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ardith (nee Mead) and his four children, Keith (Tracey), Charlene (Paul), Rick (Shirley), and Mike (Jackie). He is the proud “Papa” to 13 grandchildren (Kristjan, Brendan (Tess), Kara (Daniel), Erin (Dan), Justin (Jessica), Nicole (Josh), Chelsea (Phil), Logan, Erik, Seth, Jeanette, Jackie (Scott) & Jamie (Jason) and 10 great-grandchildren. Dad is also survived by sisters Darlene (Ron) and Deanna (Ted), sisters-in-law Heather and Marlene and his beloved cousins Ivy (Gerald), Carol, Diane, Audrey (Herb), Bill (Shirley) with whom he maintained very close relationships. Dad also leaves to mourn a large extended family of friends in Nesbitt, Brandon, and Beausejour and numerous nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his father Helgi K (1971), step-father Joe (1998), mother Dorothy (2011), his brother Clifford (2016) and Mom & Dad’s life-long friend Sylvia (2023).

Dad was born on June 26, 1940 on Hecla Island, Manitoba to Dorothy Irene Tomasson (nee Clifford) and Helgi K Tomasson. Growing up on Hecla, Dad developed a deep love for the Island, his Icelandic heritage, and a deep love for family and community. Dad moved to Winnipeg with his family in 1957 and later attended Manitoba Technical Institute to train as a diesel mechanic. Dad met Mom at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in 1958 and were married on July 8, 1961. Mom and Dad moved to Brandon, Manitoba in 1964 and moved to Nesbitt, Manitoba in 1967. They raised their family on a small family farm while Dad also worked as a mechanic for the Department of Highways in Brandon. In 1974, Dad, along with cousins Jerry & Ivy, Diane & Desmond, and Carol & Jack took on the ambitious task of moving 4 houses bought at auction from Hecla Village across the lake to Manigotagan which became our families gathering spot for many years.

In 1976, the family moved to Beausejour where Dad continued to work for the Department of Highways as Shop Superintendent until his retirement in June, 2000.

Dad lived a life defined by love of friends and family, integrity, kindness and hard work, values he passed to his four children. Dad enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at the cottage in Manigotagan. He loved to fix things and spent tireless hours in the garage fixing lawn mowers, snow blowers or anything that needed repairs. Dad also loved volunteering in the community whether it be at the Curling Club or the Beausejour Legion and grabbing a cold one with his many friends at the Howland Hotel. After a devastating fire which destroyed the Beausejour Curling Club on May 30, 1986, Dad took on the daunting task of volunteer coordinator and worked tirelessly every evening and weekend organizing volunteers and completing many tasks on his own to rebuild the ice for the new Curling Club which reopened November 4, 1987. In retirement, Dad spent many hours volunteering at the Beausejour Legion and seldom missed the regular meat draws, bingos and cribbage tournaments at the Legion.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to caregivers at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre for their compassion and support. We also thank Dad’s many friends and extended family for their concerns and sympathies during Dad’s hospitalization and for helping care for Mom during this difficult time.

A meet-and-greet to honour his life will be held on Saturday, February 7th from 2 -4 pm at the Beausejour Legion, 300 Veterans Lane, Beausejour, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Beausejour Hospital TV Fund (Box 1614 Beausejour, MB, ROE OCO) or the Beausejour Legion Patio Fund (Box 610 Beausejour, MB, ROE OCO).

Dad lived not for recognition but for the people he loved and the community he lifted-leaving behind a legacy written in the lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

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