Randolf (Randy) Clifford Helgason

Randy Helgason, of Selkirk, Manitoba died suddenly on December 25, 2011. 

Randy was born on July 5, 1957 to Florence and Wilhelm Helgason.  He lived, with his family, which included his older sister, Alma, on Hecla Island.  At that time, Hecla was a thriving close-knit Icelandic fishing community.  When residing on Hecla was no longer an option, the family relocated to Selkirk.  Randy completed his education at the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School.  Upon graduation, he tried several jobs before he found a perfect match; patternmaking.  Randy worked at Interlake Patternworks, which he later purchased.  He married his first wife, Petra Peukert in 1978, and the couple had two children, Sasha and Blair.  Randy was predeceased by his second wife, Kathy Welham in 2005. In 2006, Randy met Lisa Sopher, and he knew that he had met someone very special to spend his life with.  Lisa and her son, Tyler Freeman, quickly became part of Randy’s family.  The couple married in an intimate ceremony on Hecla Island in 2010.

Randy maintained his connection to Hecla, and shared property with his sister, and brother-in-law.  He returned to commercial fishing, after he sold his pattern shop.  Randy loved to be on the lake, as that was truly home to him.  It also brought him closer to his Dad, whom he lost in 1996.  He had a love of the outdoors, enjoying snowmobiling, quading, hunting, and just sitting on the deck, enjoying the sun.  Randy was also a proud member of the Selkirk Fire Department, and he valued all of the friendships that he had with his fellow firefighters.

Randy will be remembered as a man who loved his family dearly, and was always there to lend a helping hand.  He was many things to many people, but all who knew him, knew him as someone who could always make you laugh.

Randy leaves to mourn his wife, Lisa Helgason; mother, Florence Helgason; children Sasha Carter (Ken), Blair Helgason (Samantha), Tyler (Jessica) Freeman; grandchildren, Eli and Lila Carter and Sophie Helgason; sister, Alma Banish (Glenn); and nephew Chris Banish (Brian). Randy was predeceased by his father, Wilhelm Helgason, his nephew, Garry Banish, his grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles. 

A memorial service will be held in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel on Friday, December 30th at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Randy’s memory to the Firefighters Burn Fund.

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