BRONG - Alvin Harley Brong, age 82, of Swift Current, passed away June 14, 2009, at the Cypress Regional Hospital. A graveside service and internment was held Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Swift Current with Pastor John Duncan officiating.
A life tribute and poem was presented by granddaughters Erin and Amanda. Al was born November 17, 1926, in Berwyn, AB, to Charles and Genevieve Brong. He was the youngest of nine children raised on the family farm. As a young man he worked on a variety of seismograph crews working in the oilfields throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. He married Helen Anderson in Regina in 1952; they lived in Moose Jaw where Al was employed by McGavins' Bread and in January 1966 they moved to Swift Current. They were regular supporters of the Swift Current Broncos and enjoyed their Saturday nights out with friends dancing to local bands at the Legion Hall. He drove truck as a salesman for Nutty Club and Hostess Foods for several years, later Al bought a taxicab, which he drove for three years. When Helen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1985, Al retired to be with her full-time. They enjoyed many camping and fishing trips together before Helen's MS became more severe and she became a resident of the Palliser Regional Care Centre. Al spent from morning to evening at Helen's side until she passed away in 1995. In 1996, Al moved north to Greig Lake, located in Meadow Lake Provincial Park, where he bought a cabin and made it his new permanent residence. He felt comfortable to be back in surroundings that reminded him of where he grew up in the Peace River District of northern Alberta. He made some good friends there, enjoyed fishing, boating, snowmobiling and the many outdoor activities in and around the lakes in the region. He especially enjoyed having his children, grandchildren and other members of family and friends coming to visit with him at the lake. After surviving a near fatal heart attack in August 2000, Al moved back to Swift Current. He was able to make a few more fishing trips up north with his son before his poor health took away his freedom to be able to go fishing or even just venturing out for a drive out in the country when the spirit moved him. Al moved into the Riverview Manor Estates in November 2006 and was a resident there until the time of his passing. Al will be remembered for his good humour; his love, caring and devotion to his wife, Helen and his interest in and love for his family. Al is survived by son, Claire (Sandy) Brong, of Swift Current, Darren (Paula) Turner, Catherine, Andrew, and Elizabeth, of Airdrie, AB, Adele (Jeff) Kirwan, Olivia, Will and Sam, of Gull Lake; daughter, Wendy (Ron) McConnell of Swift Current; grandchildren, Erin (Regina) and Amanda (Saskatoon); sister Ellen Lochhead, of Grand Prairie, AB; sister-in-law, Vi Brong, of Fort Assiniboine, AB; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Al was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Genevieve Brong; his wife, Helen; brothers, Wesley, Chester, and Edward (as well as Feloyd and Emmett in infancy); sisters, Blanche, Edith, Alice, and Hazel. In his memory donations may be made to The MS Society of Canada, or to The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Warren's Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 1-800-267-6606 or (306) 773-8831 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.