It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of John "Kelly" Giffin on November 5, 2024, at Douglas Campbell Lodge in Portage la Prairie at the age of 89 years.
Kelly is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 65 years, Eleanor; his sons, Mitch (Cheryl), Mike (Ally), and Todd (Karen); and his daughter-in-law, Leslie. He also leaves behind his 9 grandchildren: Melanie (Matt), Kaley (Adam), Lana, Sara (Trevor), Foss (Catherine), Jessie, Aedan, Carter (Mackenzie) and Cate; as well as great-grandchildren Scottlyn, Tanner, Addy, Reece, Asher and Miller. Also left to cherish his memory are sisters-in-law, Marilyn Giffin, Ethel-Mae Greenslade, Jean (Bob) Demman and Pat (Peter) Psaila and their families. Many nieces, nephews and good friends also mourn his loss.
Kelly was predeceased by his eldest son, Scott; his parents, Foss and Edith (Hill) Giffin and parents-in-law, Lorne, Thelma and Margaret Carter; his uncles, George Hill and Frank (Sadye) Hill; his Brother Daryl Giffin and Brother-in-law Barry Greenslade.
You may have known Kelly as a man of few words, but there is a bit more to his story:
John Kelly Giffin was born on July 18th, 1935, and spent his early years living in Manitou before his family moved to Portage la Prairie, where he happily resided for the rest of his life. Kelly attended Portage Collegiate where he played football, a sport he’d always loved and developed friendships with teammates that lasted his life time. One year during Thanksgiving weekend he returned home from university to take part in the annual football game when he collided with another player and broke two vertebrae and had to wear a leather neck brace for recovery. Eleanor says that not too long after they’d gone to watch a Football game in the city and it started to storm and the brace kept filling with the rain water, a memory that brought them many laughs over the years. With a long line of Pharmacists in the family (11 or so) ahead of him, Kelly enrolled in Pharmacy at the university of Manitoba until he decided that it was time that cycle was broken and he chose his own path which eventually led him to exactly where he belonged, on the farm.
Kelly was a hard worker whose grit and work ethic were defining aspects of his character. Alongside his loving wife, Eleanor, they raised four boys—Scott, Mitch, Mike, and Todd—instilling in them the values of resilience, integrity, and commitment. Kelly had high expectations of his boys and we know they’ve each made him extremely proud. Kelly began his career working for various family-owned businesses’ which included but not limited to the Hill’s Pharmacy, Mayfair Motors, the Mauna Loa Lounge in the Mayfair Hotel and the Mayfair Glassware. In the early 60’s he settled in where he was most at home - Mayfair Farms. In the late 1970s, Eleanor and their 4 young boys joined and together the family diversified the business and grew it into a successful fruit and vegetable farming operation. Mayfair Farm became well-known around the community, mainly for its annual strawberry season, where the family would gear up for a few extra busy weeks in the summer. With Kelly as our leader, the Farm continued to grow, and eventually employed all of the grandchildren and their friends, reflecting Kelly’s commitment and vision to both family and business. Kelly understood that working with family was no small feat, but he must have found it most rewarding as he worked with family all his life. To all of those who have been employed by Mayfair Farm, know that Kelly appreciated your dedication and contribution to help the business thrive. It’s often been said that it would take 10 people to replace him on the farm and as much as he enjoyed doing “the books” he did not sit idle and never put himself above any job- often doing the tasks that no one else wanted to do.
When the boys were young Kelly enjoyed weekends spent with the Snow Drifters, snowmobile club or coaching hockey with some lifelong friends. Always enjoying the outdoors, he was a member of the Portage Country Club and had many fond memories of hunting the marsh and all the comradery that came along with it. The family spent their summers at the cottage at Delta Beach where they would often gather for BBQs or Happy Hour with their close friends and their families. When reflecting on those memories a mischievous smile would appear and he’d say “we used to have a lot of fun out there”. Fathers hold a powerful spot in the hearts of their sons and Mitch recalls climbing a tree at the lake and waiting with anticipation as a young boy to see his dads truck coming down the highway after work, sometimes with the motor boat in tow.
In addition to his work on the farm, Kelly was a self-taught and talented woodworker who refinished many beautiful pieces that his family will continue to treasure. Each project was tended to with thought and care, symbolizing his patience and skill. This thoughtful approach extended to everything he did—especially his driving. Kelly was known around town for his slow, deliberate pace behind the wheel, as though he were on a Sunday dirt road crop tour rather than driving the Crescent at rush hour. His unhurried nature became a charming, ongoing family joke, and a reminder of his patient outlook on life. If you were on his regular route to the post office, the bank and his many other stops where he’d pause and give you his two cents, thank you for your friendship, you were a big part of his day.
Kelly took great pride in his home, cottage, and farm - each a reflection of the care and effort he put into everything he did. He was an excellent teacher and those of us who spent a lot of time with him are forever grateful for just how much he’s taught us. He was a modest man and stuck to the basics, he enjoyed cooking good food and listening to good music and you’d recognize him in his blue jeans and a white t-shirt with his glasses case hanging from the neckline. He enjoyed a good fire and loved his truck and his tools (and if you borrowed them, you’d better put them back). Kelly found joy in doing things properly, with patience and purpose. “If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well!”
He was a gentle man with a wise and playful spirit. Kelly valued his solitude, finding peace and reflection in time spent alone. Despite his reserved nature, he was always there for his family in a quiet, steady way. He had a particularly special place in his heart for the babies and children in his life – his spirit lighting up with their laughter and energy. His great-grandchildren could always bring out the twinkle in his eye and put a grin on his usually serious face. A letter written by Scott really sums him up:
Dad,
Just writing this letter to thank you for all you have done for me throughout my life. You have been a great father, my leader, a mentor, a motivator, a great supporter of my ideas, and most of all you are always near if ever in need. You are always full of great suggestions, ideas, and without you here this farming operation would never be happening! I appreciate and admire your drive for getting things done, your talents and generosity never ends. Always wanted to tell you how much I’ve appreciated having you as a father, you are irreplaceable!
Thanks for everything, your son –Scott.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at Douglas Campbell Lodge for their care, kindness and embracing Kelly’s sense of humour. In honoring Kelly’s no-fuss attitude the Giffin family will gather privately to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of ones choice.
To share memories and leave condolences, please visit http://www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com
Ronald Moffit Memorial Services of Portage la Prairie, MB in care of arrangements.