I'm looking for information on a Arthur George Sparrow who died 5th June 1956, buried at Brookside cemetery on 16th June 1956.

I hope it is my great grandfather, who came to Canada in the 1920's, apparently went to Winnipeg and then appeared to vanish into thin air.

If anyone could provide the death notice/obituary or any information at all, it would be most appreciated. Thank you.

Here is the obituary for Arthur George Sparrow.

SPARROW—On June 5, 1956 at Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Arthur George Sparrow, aged 80 years, formerly of 404 Corydon Ave. Funeral service 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Kerr's Funeral Chapel 120 Adelaide St. Interment in Brookside Cemetery.

As printed in Winnipeg Free Press June 15, 1956

Thank you for finding that, it's very interesting.

My great Grandfather was born about 1875, which makes him the right age. It could possibly be him.

I'm new to all this, so i'm not sure where i go from here. Can anyone suggest how i might be able to find out if it's really him?

Hi
Try contacting the Manitoba Vital Statistics and order a genealogical copy of the death certificate. Their website is http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/index.html
or try contacting Kerr's Funeral Home 120 Adelaide St
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3A0W5
Phone: (204) 943-6688

Hi, OBITUARY - if published - may just be basic - notice of death - or may show some personal information.

The CEMETERY office - will know the name of the Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
They will also know if there are any possible family members buried at the cemetery.

FUNERAL HOME =May take personal information as required for the REGISRATION of DEATH/ Long Form Death Certificate.
As known to the Informant.
May/should show date and place of birth - names of parents including maiden name of mother if known to informant
occupation. marital status - name of spouse etc.
*the funeral home may have concerns about releasing information with respect to privacy issues. -But well worth the try.

Cheers, Stella

Hi
I was unable to find any other information in the Winnipeg Free Press archives but I did find some information about his brother George and George's family. There is too much information to put on here but I can email it to you if you would like.

Here is the story about his brother's death that was printed in the Winnipeg Free Press.

George Sparrow dies after brief illness, Aged 61
Was widely known as Billiard Enthusiast and Sportsman – Funeral on Tuesday
George Sparrow died on Saturday after a brief illness, in his 62nd year. Mr. Sparrow was well-known in the city and throughout the Dominion. He was born at Sheffield, England, and following the lead of his father, who took an important part in the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal in England, he entered the business of building contracting, in which he became well established in the Blackpool district of England. Before coming to Canada in 1909 his last contract was the construction of the village of Dinnington, in Yorkshire.

Reaching Canada he first settled in Toronto, where he engaged in contracting.

Came to Winnipeg In 1913.
He came west to Winnipeg in 1913, where he continued in the same line of business until a serious illness in 1925 made a change of work necessary. He then became connected with the business of English billiard supplies, and latterly was associated with the Geo. Sparrow Company, billiard supplies, in Manitoba and western Canada.

He was a man of notable personality, force of character and business capacity, and retained to the end the affectionate regard of his friends and the respect of all with whom he came in contact.

Greatly interested in sport.
His interests outside of business included all forms of sport, including swimming, lawn bowling, cricket, football and billiards, in which, he actively participated as his health from time to time permitted, and he was greatly interested In all veterans affairs. He had much kindliness of heart, was a genial host and a good friend. Amateur billiards was the sport in which he was most interested In his later years, and he took a prominent part in fostering It in Winnipeg and district. He was the Manitoba amateur champion for season 1920-1921, and was for some time, before his death president of the Manitoba Amateur Billiards association, which he represented in the Billiards Control Council of Canada during the last four years. He was also a member of the executive of the Veterans' English Billiards league.

His elder son, George, was killed at the age of 22 as a member of the 78th Winnipeg battalion, in October 1917, in the Passchendaele operations. His other son Jack, enlisted In Canada in the R.A.F., and his son-in-law W. Kirkby of Strathclair, served overseas in Lord Strathcona Horse and Fort Garry Horse.

Rendered Service During War.
During the Great War, Mr. Sparrow, took an active interest In the Canadian Red Cross, of which he was made a life member, and also did much voluntary work In Manitoba under the Military Service act.

Mr. Sparrow was well and popularly known among returned soldiers in Winnipeg and the west, being a member of the Army and Navy Veterans Association, the Imperial Veterans Association, The Canadian Legion in the Guards Association. He was also a member of the St. George's Club, the Masonic Order.

Mr. Sparrow is survived by his widow, two daughters. Mrs. W. Kirkby of Strathclair and Agnes at home and one son Jack, of Winnipeg; also three grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother in Toronto, and two sisters and one brother in England.

Funeral services will be held at p.m., Tuesday, at the A. B. Gardner Funeral Home, following which interment will be made in the family plot in Elmwood Cemetery. Rev. E. Glover will be in charge.

As printed in the Winnipeg Free Press Feb. 29, 1932

He did have a brother George who lived on Nassau St, Fort Rouge in 1922. Some of the information there could fit with him, but not other. I thought my George was younger than Arthur, but going from his age at death, this George is older.

I had a look at the vital statistics site, but my understanding is from the webpage is that they won't release any information on deaths less than 70 years ago. As Arthur died in 1956, I'm a bit stuck.

I'm a little worried that I won't be able to find anything on him until they release the post 1922 census', which is a very long time away!

Hi, Contact the Funeral Home - they may be able to assist with some information.
There may be concern about releasing information - but - may be able to release some identifying information. which may help.

Manitoba Vital Statistics - Contact them - just question whether the Registration/ Long form Certificate - might be available to you. If not - nothing is lost - if it or some identifying information is available - all the better.
at least you will have tried - and will know.

Cheers & Good Luck, Stella

You're right Stella, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Maybe I'll speak to somebody sympathetic to the situation. :o)

fyi....Kerr Funeral Home is no longer in business. Try calling Thomson Funeral Home at 669 Broadway Winnipeg phone # 204-783-7211. If I remember correctly Thomson bought Kerr's.