Kelvin Bramadat
1925 - 2008
Kelvin passed away quietly Sunday, June 8, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Ina; their four children: Dawn (children Michael, Kyra, David & Andrew Willcock - Montreal); Rawle (Winnipeg); Ronald (wife Marni, children Ashley, Avery, Mason - Dawson City, Yukon); Dennis (wife Maree, children Kathleen, Sean - Brisbane, Australia); and one brother, Clyde, of Winnipeg. He also leaves behind a close extended family and many good friends, including former students, teaching colleagues, members of the volleyball community and neighbours.
Born February 23, 1925 in San Francique, Trinidad, Kelvin attended Naparima College in San Fernando. He then studied abroad in Ft. Wayne, Indiana (BSc EE & RE) and Manitoba (MSc; MEd). He spent most of his teaching career with the Fort Garry School Division (teaching at Vincent Massey Collegiate; Vice-Principal at Pembina Crest & Ft. Richmond Collegiate; Science Supervisor for the Division).
Kelvin was a kind, gentle person, a good listener who enjoyed being with other people. He was well-known for his sense of humour and his ‘sweet tooth’. In his retirement years, Kelvin enjoyed working on the family home in the Valley, gardening, cross-country skiing and cooking. He and the family had a love of travelling that took them to countries around the globe.
Active in sports throughout his life, Kelvin was a Founding Member of the Oxford Club (Trinidad); a Founding Member of the Manitoba Sports Federation; and an inductee to the Manitoba Volleyball Hall of Fame as a Builder of the Sport. He devoted many active, rewarding years to building and organizing volleyball, serving on the executive of the Volleyball Associations (MVA, CVA), participating in Peace Gardens camps and coaching in Ft. Garry, at the University of Winnipeg and at Red River College. Coaching highlights included winning Provincial High School Championships (MSSAA); coaching the Manitoba Women’s teams at the first two Canada Winter Games (Quebec ‘67- silver; Saskatoon ‘71 - gold); and particularly, helping mentor the development of future players, referees and coaches.
In keeping with Kelvin’s wishes, cremation has taken place; a memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family wishes to express their thanks to Dr. Ekow Barnes and all the staff at Carman Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care and support during the final weeks of Kelvin’s life.
