Cecil Brown

On Sunday February 22nd, 2026 at the Portage General Hospital, Cecil Brown passed into the presence of his Lord and Saviour at the age of 89 years.

He is lovingly remembered by his dear wife Sheila of 65 years; Son Mark (Connie) grandchildren Nathan (Sarah); Amy (Justin) Peters ; Brandon (Aryssa), Daughter Janice (Barry) Friesen grandchildren Kurt (Jackie) Silas, Asher; Joel (Elise) Nora; Emily (Spencer) Callum Fehr; A dear Sister Vera Brown; Special Sister in laws Jean MacDonald; Ena Scobbie and many nieces and nephews as well as many lifelong friends, the Hughes’, Grahams ‘and Lucas’.

Cecil was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on July 18th, 1936. He was the youngest of 8 children and despite the challenges of living in the shadow of WW2 and losing his father at the age of 9, he had a very happy childhood. We were privileged to hear many stories of his time spent in the country that always had a piece of his heart. Some of his highlights in those years were his time with school friends, going to the programs and Church at the Gospel Hall, the Boys Brigade, swimming, soccer and rugby.

In 1957 a man came from Winnipeg to promote Winnipeg Bible Institute and Cecil enrolled in the school and came over with a friend. It was here that he met the love of his life Sheila who came over from Scotland in 1958 to attend the same college. They made many lifelong friendships at this time. In the summer of 1960 Cecil took a pastoral position in Kenora, Ontario, and when that was completed the two were married on Sept 24th, 1960.

Cecil and Sheila moved back to Belfast shortly afterwards, where he took a job as a pay-clerk, and it was there that they began their family. Just before conflict began in Ireland, Cecil decided to move his young family back to Canada. While there he took jobs washing the parliament windows in Winnipeg, making deliveries, and enrolled in social services courses in Brandon and the University of Winnipeg. He also took a summer pastoral position at Carberry Evangelical Free Church.

In 1971, Cecil took a position in a Church in Brainerd, Minnesota where the family spent a few happy years before moving back to Portage la Prairie where he worked for CFS and then Social Services until his retirement.

Cecil was a scholar, a poet, and an Irish gentleman through and through. His Faith was his very being and he lived it out in every possible way. Sharing the love of his Saviour with grace and compassion, always encouraging others. He made sure everyone was welcomed in his home and at his table. From his Pastoral Ministry to his career with CFS and Social Services, Cecil’s life was given in service to others.

“Blessed hope in the Word God has spoken, all our peace by that Word we obtain, and as sure as God’s word was ne’er broken, we shall meet with our loved ones again.”

The Celebration of Life Service for Cecil Brown will take place on Thursday, March 19th, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the River Road Gospel Hall, 350 River Road, Portage la Prairie, MB. A private family interment will take place prior to the service. To watch the service for Cecil Brown, please select and go to the following River Road Gospel Hall link to access the service, or go directly to the River Road Gospel Hall YouTube Channel.

https://youtube.com/live/KBFX4phHIKU?feature=share

Donations may be made in memory of Cecil to Bible For Children Inc, P.O. Box 3, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2G1.

Arrangements entrusted to Ronald Moffit Memorial Services of Portage la Prairie, MB. 

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