Obituary for Alfred Laser
Alfred Laser passed away with his loving wife Vera by his side on June 4, 2020 at the Health Sciences Centre.
Alfred Laser was born in Tigerweide, Zaporozhye, Ukraine and emigrated to Canada with his mother and 2 of 5 siblings in 1951, with 2 more siblings emigrating in later years. They first lived on Bannatyne Avenue and became active members of McDermot Avenue Baptist Church and the German community in Winnipeg.
Alfred attended the University of Manitoba and received a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Arts. His studies took him across Canada to New Brunswick and Quebec, as well as the Goethe Institut in Germany. Alfred taught French and German language as well as ESL programs in Winnipeg School Division 1 at St. John’s High, Elmwood High, and Ellen Douglass Schools for over 30 years until his retirement in 1996. After his retirement from teaching he worked for the German Canadian Congress helping seniors access pension funds from Europe. Following this he started his own pension consultant business doing this same work.
Alfred met Vera Dighton in 1961 at a University of Manitoba gathering and they married in 1965. They built a house in St. James with Alfred’s brother Ed’s construction company and created a wonderful home for their three children Heather, Ralph and Linda. They all attended Broadway First Baptist Church. The family travelled on cross-Canada camping trips, European tours and to sun destinations. He looked forward to travel and was hoping to get to Hawaii again with Vera.
As much as he enjoyed travel, he enjoyed staying at home and the meals prepared there. He always saved room for dessert. He looked forward to Sunday dinners with the family and seeing his granddaughters, Amber and Alison. He cared for them during their summer holidays at “Grandma and Grandpa Camp” that included outings to A&W for breakfast or Tim Hortons for a donut.
Alfred and Vera attended Sturgeon Creek United and then Charleswood United Church. He had many interests including photography, fishing (summer and winter), camping, 5-pin bowling, Bonsai, and lap swimming.
Having been depleted by cancer these past years, Alfred was home resting up and was home until the last two days of his life, which were spent at Seven Oaks Hospital and Health Sciences Centre under their expert care.
Alfred is predeceased by his father Daniel, mother Ida, brother Ewald, and sisters Lea and Alice. He is survived by one brother, Artur (Elena). One brother Erhard has been missing in Eastern Europe since 1945. Alfred’s wife, Vera Dighton Laser, son Ralph, daughters Heather (Rob) and Linda (Jovan), two granddaughters Amber and Alison will dearly miss him every day. We will miss his wisdom, advice, as well as instructions in everything from proper French pronunciation, to how to mow the lawn.
A private service with immediate family is being held. A celebration of Alfred Laser’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice that carries out the work most meaningful to Alfred – food, shelter, religion and education.
Alfred Laser was born in Tigerweide, Zaporozhye, Ukraine and emigrated to Canada with his mother and 2 of 5 siblings in 1951, with 2 more siblings emigrating in later years. They first lived on Bannatyne Avenue and became active members of McDermot Avenue Baptist Church and the German community in Winnipeg.
Alfred attended the University of Manitoba and received a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Arts. His studies took him across Canada to New Brunswick and Quebec, as well as the Goethe Institut in Germany. Alfred taught French and German language as well as ESL programs in Winnipeg School Division 1 at St. John’s High, Elmwood High, and Ellen Douglass Schools for over 30 years until his retirement in 1996. After his retirement from teaching he worked for the German Canadian Congress helping seniors access pension funds from Europe. Following this he started his own pension consultant business doing this same work.
Alfred met Vera Dighton in 1961 at a University of Manitoba gathering and they married in 1965. They built a house in St. James with Alfred’s brother Ed’s construction company and created a wonderful home for their three children Heather, Ralph and Linda. They all attended Broadway First Baptist Church. The family travelled on cross-Canada camping trips, European tours and to sun destinations. He looked forward to travel and was hoping to get to Hawaii again with Vera.
As much as he enjoyed travel, he enjoyed staying at home and the meals prepared there. He always saved room for dessert. He looked forward to Sunday dinners with the family and seeing his granddaughters, Amber and Alison. He cared for them during their summer holidays at “Grandma and Grandpa Camp” that included outings to A&W for breakfast or Tim Hortons for a donut.
Alfred and Vera attended Sturgeon Creek United and then Charleswood United Church. He had many interests including photography, fishing (summer and winter), camping, 5-pin bowling, Bonsai, and lap swimming.
Having been depleted by cancer these past years, Alfred was home resting up and was home until the last two days of his life, which were spent at Seven Oaks Hospital and Health Sciences Centre under their expert care.
Alfred is predeceased by his father Daniel, mother Ida, brother Ewald, and sisters Lea and Alice. He is survived by one brother, Artur (Elena). One brother Erhard has been missing in Eastern Europe since 1945. Alfred’s wife, Vera Dighton Laser, son Ralph, daughters Heather (Rob) and Linda (Jovan), two granddaughters Amber and Alison will dearly miss him every day. We will miss his wisdom, advice, as well as instructions in everything from proper French pronunciation, to how to mow the lawn.
A private service with immediate family is being held. A celebration of Alfred Laser’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice that carries out the work most meaningful to Alfred – food, shelter, religion and education.