More about Otto
Otto also leaves to mourn three children; Enid (Lawrence), Otto, Ingrid (Glenn). There are also nine more grandchildren; Hilary, Eric, Joy, Grace, Luke, Kaitlyn, Lauren, Reid, Erin and one great-grandson; Liam from his first marriage.
He was a very hard-wording and talented individual. After leaving Catholic school in Otterburne, he came to Winnipeg started working and bought his first home at an early age despite coming to Canada with basically nothing but the clothes on his back.
He had an amazing amount of energy and perseverance. He worked full time and pursued further education at the Manitoba Fashion Institute. Once his studies were completed he worked his way up into various management positions in the garment industry including at Westcott Fashions and Rice Sportswear.
When those fashion industry became the victim of lower wages in China and other companies overseas and the local businesses shut down one-by-one, he was at a crossroads. He didn't give up. He found his niche in the market bought a cutting table and some sewing machines and started making patterns cutting out all the pieces needed to make sportswear, then found women who were willing to sew the garments from home.
The business then grew exponentially, so he rented place on Keewatin Street, then a bigger place on McDermot Avenue, and eventually on Market Avenue. He ran this business successfully for over 20 years.
To him, it wasn't what happened in life, it's how you deal with it. I am sure that the word "can't" was not even in his vocabulary.
Friday September 7, 2018 at 9:49 am
