Obituary for William Burton Sharman
William (Bill) Burton Sharman, Nov 24, 1929 – Jan 3, 2019
Frances Mary Sharman (Gingles) (nee Clarke), Mar 8, 1935 – Jan 3, 2019
Peacefully, within hours of each other, lifelong companions Fran and Bill Sharman slipped into eternal rest together on Jan 3, 2019. They are sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Fran’s children Ken (Hedy) Gingles, Gord (Carol) Gingles, Veronica Gingles, and Brenda (Dave) Moody, along with grandchildren Sean (Sarah) Gingles, Megan (Ian) McIntyre, and Evan Moody, as well as great-grandchildren Mason and Hannah. They are also survived by Bill’s children Libby (Nick) Riediger, Bill Jr (Carla) Sharman, and David Sharman and grandchildren Kelly, Nicholas, Brenna, Megan, Ryan, Mark and Alanna.
Bill was born in Winnipeg MB on Nov 24 1929, to Dr. William J. and Frances Sharman. He grew up in Angusville and the Clanwilliam MB areas then later Winnipeg, before moving west to Alberta in the 1960’s. Bill held a variety of jobs over the years, including lifeguard and swim instructor in Emerson MB, movie projectionist at the Lyric Theatre in Minnedosa MB, delivery driver for the Winnipeg Free Press, then sales clerk at a Winnipeg camera store where he developed a life-long interest in photography. He enlisted in the Canadian navy in the early 50’s, where he also learned to fly. He took photography courses at NAIT graduating in 1969 and turned his passion into a career. This included teaching courses at SAIT as well as working for the government of Canada as a photographer for the Institute of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology in Calgary from 1977 until his retirement in 1995.
Frances was born at the family farmhouse in the R.M. of Minto MB on Mar 8 1935, to Nathan and Mary Clarke. She grew up in Dauphin MB, spending her summers back on the farm. Graduating high school in 1953, she entered nursing school at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg where she graduated in 1956. She started her nursing career in Minnedosa MB. She had met John Gingles there earlier and they became a couple, eventually marrying on Sep 8th, 1956. John owned a TV and appliance store and operated it there until 1960 when they moved to Dauphin and opened a new shop. Soon after their new house was built, Fran started teaching kindergarten classes in the basement of their home. She continued teaching for a number of years before returning to nursing, working at the Dauphin General Hospital. John passed away on Nov 27, 1977, and in August of 1979 Fran and her two youngest children moved to Calgary. She spent the rest of her career working first for Dr. Setter then Dr. Penney before retiring in 1995.
Good friends since the 50’s (Bill was John’s best man at his and Fran’s wedding in 1956), Fran and Bill took their friendship to a new level in Calgary and were married on Dec 23, 1979. They quickly began to enjoy life together, getting involved in many new adventures. One of these was square dancing, which they thoroughly enjoyed and continued to do until health issues made it impossible. Many great friendships were formed with other dancers and they even wintered in Yuma Arizona with some of them after they retired. Of course, one of the biggest highlights of their dancing lives was participating in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic opening ceremonies. They both enjoyed traveling and camping, especially in their beloved Rocky Mountains. They both dedicated many hours volunteering for different organizations and groups, including the Good Companions, Samaritans Purse, and many others. In 1982 they bought a run-down house on Glencastle Street and did an amazing job redesigning and renovating it. They lived there until 2007, when they bought their beautiful Horizon Village condo in Strathcona. They continued their love of renovating there, making a number of changes to their new home. They quickly joined the village community and took on many volunteer positions, helping out wherever they could.
A Celebration of their lives will be held on Tuesday, Jan 22 at 11 am at the King of Glory church, 2640 Rundlelawn Road NE, Calgary AB.
They lived an incredible life and were together to the end. Their presence will be deeply missed.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Bill and Fran, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
Frances Mary Sharman (Gingles) (nee Clarke), Mar 8, 1935 – Jan 3, 2019
Peacefully, within hours of each other, lifelong companions Fran and Bill Sharman slipped into eternal rest together on Jan 3, 2019. They are sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Fran’s children Ken (Hedy) Gingles, Gord (Carol) Gingles, Veronica Gingles, and Brenda (Dave) Moody, along with grandchildren Sean (Sarah) Gingles, Megan (Ian) McIntyre, and Evan Moody, as well as great-grandchildren Mason and Hannah. They are also survived by Bill’s children Libby (Nick) Riediger, Bill Jr (Carla) Sharman, and David Sharman and grandchildren Kelly, Nicholas, Brenna, Megan, Ryan, Mark and Alanna.
Bill was born in Winnipeg MB on Nov 24 1929, to Dr. William J. and Frances Sharman. He grew up in Angusville and the Clanwilliam MB areas then later Winnipeg, before moving west to Alberta in the 1960’s. Bill held a variety of jobs over the years, including lifeguard and swim instructor in Emerson MB, movie projectionist at the Lyric Theatre in Minnedosa MB, delivery driver for the Winnipeg Free Press, then sales clerk at a Winnipeg camera store where he developed a life-long interest in photography. He enlisted in the Canadian navy in the early 50’s, where he also learned to fly. He took photography courses at NAIT graduating in 1969 and turned his passion into a career. This included teaching courses at SAIT as well as working for the government of Canada as a photographer for the Institute of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology in Calgary from 1977 until his retirement in 1995.
Frances was born at the family farmhouse in the R.M. of Minto MB on Mar 8 1935, to Nathan and Mary Clarke. She grew up in Dauphin MB, spending her summers back on the farm. Graduating high school in 1953, she entered nursing school at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg where she graduated in 1956. She started her nursing career in Minnedosa MB. She had met John Gingles there earlier and they became a couple, eventually marrying on Sep 8th, 1956. John owned a TV and appliance store and operated it there until 1960 when they moved to Dauphin and opened a new shop. Soon after their new house was built, Fran started teaching kindergarten classes in the basement of their home. She continued teaching for a number of years before returning to nursing, working at the Dauphin General Hospital. John passed away on Nov 27, 1977, and in August of 1979 Fran and her two youngest children moved to Calgary. She spent the rest of her career working first for Dr. Setter then Dr. Penney before retiring in 1995.
Good friends since the 50’s (Bill was John’s best man at his and Fran’s wedding in 1956), Fran and Bill took their friendship to a new level in Calgary and were married on Dec 23, 1979. They quickly began to enjoy life together, getting involved in many new adventures. One of these was square dancing, which they thoroughly enjoyed and continued to do until health issues made it impossible. Many great friendships were formed with other dancers and they even wintered in Yuma Arizona with some of them after they retired. Of course, one of the biggest highlights of their dancing lives was participating in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic opening ceremonies. They both enjoyed traveling and camping, especially in their beloved Rocky Mountains. They both dedicated many hours volunteering for different organizations and groups, including the Good Companions, Samaritans Purse, and many others. In 1982 they bought a run-down house on Glencastle Street and did an amazing job redesigning and renovating it. They lived there until 2007, when they bought their beautiful Horizon Village condo in Strathcona. They continued their love of renovating there, making a number of changes to their new home. They quickly joined the village community and took on many volunteer positions, helping out wherever they could.
A Celebration of their lives will be held on Tuesday, Jan 22 at 11 am at the King of Glory church, 2640 Rundlelawn Road NE, Calgary AB.
They lived an incredible life and were together to the end. Their presence will be deeply missed.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Bill and Fran, please visit www.choicememorial.com.