Obituary of Joseph Kelly Mann

November 19, 1940 – Flin Flon, Manitoba

March 22, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

“Our Lord calls him home.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.  Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Joseph Kelly Mann, age 82, husband of Linda Gertrude Mann (nee Barber), passed away peacefully March 22, 2023, at Bethany Harvest Hills with his family at his side.

“Kelly” to all who new him was born November 19, 1940 in Flin Flon, MB, to immigrants Peter Brennan Mann of Aberdeen, Scotland, and Magdalena Terez (aka) Ada Stein from the area of Banat, in the village of Sin Petru, Hungary.  In 1907 at the age of 5 1/2 years, Ada and her 4 year old younger brother Peter (Stein), together immigrated to Canada to join their parents in Brandon, MB.  Peter Brennan Mann immigrated to Canada in 1910 with his family. As young adults Peter and Ada met and married on March 29, 1920, in Brandon, MB.  Their journey sent them to Francis, Saskatchewan, where they had five children and a final move lead them to Flin Flon, MB, where Peter worked for Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting.

Kelly was raised in Flin Flon, MB; the youngest of six children and the last survivor of his family.   Following his graduation from Hapnot High School, he left Flin Flon in 1958 at the age or 17, to attend the U of S, studying Electrical Engineering; graduating in 1962. Kelly then went to work for Manitoba Hydro and pursued his studies in Education at the U of M.  In 1965, he returned to Flin Flon to teach high school and coached the ladies (Kopper Kweens) basketball team.  In 1967 he moved to Calgary, where he was an Assistant Department Head and Senior Instructor in the Electrical Department at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Continuing his studies at U of M, he completed his B. Ed in 1968.  Kelly contributed with fellow colleagues setting up Certificate Programs for the Continuing Education Department. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching Continuing Education evening classes.  Education was very important to him, and SAIT was his life.

He was devoted to his students and fellow colleagues; the sharing of information never ceased. Kelly spent 35 years in the Electrical Department and contracted 9 years in the Transportation Department.  He fully retired after 44 years in 2011.

Kelly had two children, Erin and Darcy from a previous marriage.  In 1980, he married Linda (his lassie) and together had a wonderful life enjoying family, friends, and travel.  As a younger man in Flin Flon, Kelly was a drummer in the Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Pipe Band, and he enjoyed snow shoeing. In Calgary he never tired of basketball, volley ball, badminton, curling, golf, fishing, and hunting.  His Kelly’s Klown’s group, operated out of SAIT, brought much pleasure at Christmas time to the CBE elementary grades when the Clowns and Sesame Street characters presented.  Special appearances to the FMC Burn unit, Cochrane Heritage Day Parade, Calgary Fire Departments annual Christmas Function, the Calgary Stampede Parade, and many private functions.   He enjoyed music, dancing and playing his accordion.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda (his lassie) of forty-three years; his children, daughter Erin Mann (partner Sondra Musa), of Calgary, AB; and son Darcy Mann (wife Nicoline and their daughter Macayla), of Nanaimo, BC.  He had numerous nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces, and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Ada Mann, of Flin Flon, MB; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom (Lillian) Mann, of Flin Flon, MB, Owen (Colleen) Mann, of Saskatoon, SK, Colin Mann, of Kamloops, BC, Earl (Dona) Mann, of Kamloops, BC; sister and brother-in-law, Bella (Floyd) Bircumshaw, of Salt Lake City, Utah.

The family wishes to send a thank you to the administration and staff at Bethany Harvest Hills, Calgary, AB. Your kindness, graciousness, mindful and caring manner towards your residents and their families is heart felt and so appreciated. Dr. Randall Sargent, thank you for the care and support you have provided to our loved one.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

A Celebration of Kelly’s Life will be held at the McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home, Chapel of The Bells, (2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Kelly's service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Kelly Mann, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Click Here to View Kelly Mann's Memorial Card

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