Sir Lloyd Clifford Tibbatts

Lloyd was born February 22, 1924, North of Foxwarren, MB, the son of Albert and Annie-Saint (McLeod) Tibbatts.  He had two sisters, Dorothy and Hazel, and one brother, Tommy. 

On December 22, 1935, at age 50, Lloyd’s father passed away at the Ninette Sanitorium.  George Low then rented the land for four years.  Tommy took over the operation of the farm until 1952 when Alex and Shirley Low purchased it.

Lloyd was in high school when he decided to join the Canadian Army at Winnipeg in April 1943.  In July 1944 he transferred to the Regina Rifles Regiment in France.  Lloyd served in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany before being discharged in March 1946 and travelling home on the “Queen Elizabeth” to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After the war Lloyd worked on a mixed farming operation in Barrie, Ontario.  In the spring of 1947 Lloyd purchased land and began grain farming north of Foxwarren.  In 1966 Lloyd’s mother passed away in Brandon Hospital at the age of 72.  That year Lloyd purchased a home with a large lot and garden in the village of Foxwarren and commuted to the farm.  The land was rented from 1972 on.  But Lloyd was never idle, and not too afraid of heights, so he worked with Manitoba Pool Elevators.  He helped build several elevators in this region including the one in Russell.  For a brief time he worked at the Rocanville mine, near St. Lazare.

Lloyd was a quiet man, soft spoken, gentle and good natured, a man of faith and total integrity.  He was hard working, trustworthy, and respectful of others.

Lloyd met Frances (Calder) Lucas in 1985 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and they were married in June 1986 at Foxwarren Westminster Church.  They spent their honeymoon in Winnipeg and Clear Lake, Manitoba.  In 1987 Lloyd and Frances purchased a home in Russell where they lived happily for nearly 30 years.  They enjoyed gardening and made frequent travels to the US and Canada (East & West).  Lloyd entered the Russell Personal Care Home in early 2017 shortly after Frances passed away.  They had been active in the Foxwarren Legion and enjoyed many meetings and activities there.  Later, Lloyd transferred to the Russell Legion.  Lloyd had been a legion member for 74 years.

Lloyd’s Regina Rifle Regiment stormed the Nan Green Sector of Juno Beach June 6, 1944.  In October 2021 Bruno Burnichon, Honourary Consul of France, came to Russell to officially present Lloyd with the highest decoration that the government of France can bestow: The National Order of the Legion of Honor.  Thus, Lloyd was knighted in appreciation for his help in liberating France during World War II.

Lloyd Clifford Tibbatts passed away at the Russell Personal Care Home March 1, 2023 at the age of 99 years.

Lloyd was predeceased by his wife Frances, parents Albert and Annie, sisters Hazel Shephard and Dorothy Vidal and brother Tommy Tibbatts.

Lloyd is survived by his sister-in-laws Jean Chapman and Mary Calder, and 10 nieces and nephews.