We Remember

MCRAE, Roderick James

January 1, 1970 — January 1, 1970

Passed away at his home on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the age of 81. He was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba on October 29, 1934 to John Lawrance and Margaret Westwater (Turnbull) McRae and grew up in East Kildonan.  He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Myrna, and his sons Kirby (Joy Viberg) and Curtis (Jodie) and grandchildren Alexandra and Cameron.

Rod met Myrna in 1952. They were married in 1959 and raised their family in East Kildonan.  The family built a cottage at Spruce Bay, Manitoba in 1971, which Rod and Myrna continued to enjoy every year during their summer road trips back to Winnipeg.  Rod loved to build things, from model airplanes, to radio and hi-fi equipment, and especially working on his home and cottage, and later with helping his sons with their own home and yard projects.

Rod graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1957 and began his career with the City of East Kildonan the same year. In 1976, he was promoted to City of Winnipeg Director of Operations as part of the Unicity amalgamation, and promoted to Commissioner of Works and Operations in 1983.  Some of his proudest achievements included the development of Kilcona Park following closure of a landfill, the “Take Pride Winnipeg” initiative, and the 1994 Winnipeg Charleswood Bridge Project, the first true municipal design, build, operate Public/Private Partnership project in Canada.  Rod took early retirement in 1994 after 37 years of service to Winnipeg, and he and Myrna moved to Kelowna where he took the position of City Engineer.  He retired from the City of Kelowna in 1997 and consulted privately for a few years.  He was a life member of the American Public Works Association, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba, and Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia.

Rod had a lifelong interest in flying model aircraft. In 1951, he won the overall Manitoba flying model championship and was sponsored by Plymouth to participate in the Plymouth 5th International Model Plane Contest in Detroit, forcing his dad to buy a car for the trip.  Rod joined the Model Aircraft Association of Canada (MAAC) in 1951, and was one of five MAAC members who founded the Winnipeg Radio Control Club in 1963.  Rod entered the worlds of model gliders in the 1970’s and electric models in 1974.  Following retirement, Rod reconnected with his love of model aircraft and electronics and began flying electric models exclusively, treating his hobby like a full time job and soon filling a large basement with aircraft.  He was a member of the Kelowna Ogopogo Radio Controllers’ Association and was one of the four founders of the Okanagan Electric Quiet Flyers Club in 2011 and a judge and participant at local flying meets.  He also looked forward to participating in contests in Winnipeg and Gimli every summer.

Rod’s other interest was Scottish music and culture. Spurred on by his sons’ interest in highland bagpipes, accordion and pipe band drumming, he was an active member of the parent’s committee of the Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band, helped plan band trips to Scotland in 1981 and 1985, and developed lifelong friendships with the other parents.  Rod and Myrna started Scottish Country Dancing with RSCDS in 1979, enjoyed performing with the “Scottish Entertainers” at senior’s centres and variety shows, and enjoyed several years of dancing with the Kelowna Scottish Country Dancers.  Rod and Myrna were long time members of Winnipeg Robert Burns Club, with Rod serving as president in 1992.  Both Rod and Myrna were heavily involved with coordinating, planning, and entertaining at the British “Mug Pub” Pavilion as part of Winnipeg’s Folklorama festival, with Rod being Pavilion Mayor in 1988.  Rod joined the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg in 1982, was an active board member and served as President in 1992.  Rod was a remote founding member of Winnipeg’s Scottish Gentlemen’s Club in 2015.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm Friday July 22 at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna. A service will be held in Winnipeg in September.  In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation in Rod’s memory to First United Church, 721 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna V1Y 6P6, or to a charity of their choice.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

 

Service
Friday, July 22, 2016 at 1:00 pm

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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Rod’s memory to First United Church, 721 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna V1Y 6P6 or Charity of Your Choice

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for MCRAE, Roderick James is scheduled for Friday, July 22, 2016 at 1:00 pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:


Special Requests:

None.


Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Ian Gilmour says:

    On behalf of Kelowna Scottish Country Dancers I wish to offer our sincere condolences to
    Myrna and Family on the passing of Rod. He is fondly remembered by our members.
    Ian Gilmour
    President Kelowna Scottish Country Dancers.

  • Mark Betuzzi says:

    To the McRae Family: My condolences to all of you on your loss of Rod. I had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Rod through Radio Controlled Modelling. Rod was my go to person when it came to electric R.C. modelling. A few years ago we worked together as flying judges at one of the R.C. Scale meets. Rod was a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of R.C. Modelling.
    He will be missed by all of us, he was so kind and such a gentleman.
    Sincerely,
    Mark Betuzzi

  • Myrna MacKenzie says:

    Dear Myrna and family,
    I am so sorry to hear of Rod’s death.
    I send my love and hugs to all of you..
    Myrna MacKenzie

  • Roxanne Williams and family says:

    Myrna and family, we send to you our deepest heartfelt sympathy in the passing of Rod. We will hold you in our thoughts and our prayers.

  • Jean Miller says:

    Dear Myrna My heart goes out to you and the family at the loss of such a great guy
    who touched a lot of people
    The obituary says it all He lived such a full life and contributed s lot My fond memories are of course through Scottish Country dancing and as I write this Zi am wearing my Mug Pub shirt another memory of the good times we shared Take care and hope to see you soon love Jean and family
    in Barrie Ontario

  • Linda Kerr and Fred, Ashley, Jamie Pritchard says:

    Myrna and family, Rod’s passing has left a hole in each of our hearts. Fred and I (Linda) first created a work bond with Rod starting when we all worked at the City of Winnipeg. The word “work” is a bit of a misnomer since the 3 of us had fun dreaming up and implementing projects such as the creating new Construction and Supply & Delivery Tendering systems as well as the City-wide door to door recycling program and partnering to get the elusive Charleswood Bridge built after a 50 year hold-up. During this journey, Rod and Myrna became our friends and our children’s chosen grandparents. Rod will always be in our memories and Myrna – you will always be our BFF.

  • Mary Wiesner, Myrna Wiesner, Lorie Perrault says:

    Myrna & family. Sorry for your loss. We only found out today about Rod’s passing. We too have had a loss, Alvin passed away on Aug 26th. Mary is now living in Regina. May time help with our families’ grief.

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