Arthur Thomas "Tom" Sundell

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Arthur Thomas Sundell on Wednesday March 26, 2025 at the age of 100 years.

Tom leaves to mourn his passing; daughter Arlene Wilson (Allan MacDonald), sons Rick (Myrna) Sundell and Morley (Kathleen) Sundell, 13 grandchildren: Jeff (Laura) Sundell, Tammy (Jean Claude) Vigier, Monica (Stephane) Geirnaert, Nicholas Sundell (Kassandra Wytinck), Stephanie (Matthieu) Deroche, Jeremy Sundell, Elliott (Leah) Sundell, Kirk (Kayla) Sundell, Paul, Bridget, Daniel, Francis and Cecilia Sundell, as well as 21 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by in-laws Eileen Sagman, Bob Hughes, and Glenn (Marion) Maguire and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was predeceased by his loving wife Audrey (nee Maguire), grandson Craig Sundell and his six siblings:  Clarence (Vera), Harve (Marion, Vivian), Girlie, Les (Helen), Norah (Jack), and Joan (Hayden).

Tom was born on the home farm west of Holland, the sixth of seven children born to Alex and Minnie (nee Ailsby) Sundell.  He loved the farm life and the hard work that farm life in those days entailed.  When two of his older brothers enlisted in the armed forces at the start of World War 2, it was decided that he would quit school after Grade 8 to focus on full time work on the farm.  After the war, a certain young new teacher, Audrey Maguire, arrived at Selton country school North of Landseer, catching the eye of this young farmer.  In October of 1949 they were married and began their life together on the home farm as Tom’s parents made the move to town.  They welcomed their first child Arlene in 1951, followed by Rick in 1955 and Morley in 1958.

Throughout these years, Tom farmed along with his brothers before they split their assets in the early seventies and ventured on their own.  Tom partnered in farming with his neighbor Alton Cook for a few years before Morley came into the farming picture in 1977.  Tom was known for his precision seeding, perfectly straight rows before GPS.  In fact, he started seeding as a teenager and continued to do most of the planting for over 50 straight springs.  He and Audrey also raised cattle, pigs, and poultry.  Tom also had some off farm jobs:  caretaking the Holland skating rink for many years and as an assistant to Clare Leslie at Manitoba Pool Elevators.

Tom was involved in many community activities including curling, playing and coaching hockey and baseball, as well as being a board member of Holland Recreation Association, the Holland Curling Club, and the Holland Friendship Center.  In his retirement years he loved golf, travel, playing pool, playing solitaire, fishing, and frequenting the local coffee shop.

In 2022, he took up residence at the Glenboro PCH, spending 2 1/2 years there.  He celebrated his 100th birthday last April with his family and many friends.  Tom will be remembered for his calm and seemingly unstressed demeanor, for his sense of humor, his playful giggle, his extra-large hands, for being an early riser and most of all for his love of family and spending time with them.

A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held in the Holland United Church on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with Heather Grobb officiating.  Interment will take place in the Brookdale Cemetery.  Following the service, a reception will be held in the Holland Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to STARS Air Ambulance, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, AB, T2E 8M7 or to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 62 Juno St., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1H9.

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