Bjorn Albert Isleifson

Our family is heartbroken to announce the loss of our husband and father, Bjorn Albert Isleifson as a result of a tragic accident on July 24th. 

Bjorn was born On June 24, 1959, in Swan River Manitoba to Murray and Ida Isleifson. As a baby he moved with his family to Sioux Lookout, Ontario where he spent his childhood and adolescent years. 

As many did in Sioux Lookout, Bjorn worked for a time with the railway allowing him the opportunity to save money to further his education. Bjorn packed his life into his car and moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, where he attended Confederation College, graduating from the Marketing and Sales Management Program. Upon graduation, Bjorn accepted a position with the Toronto Dominion Bank, which was to begin the fall of 1981. Looking for just a job to carry him through the summer he was spotted by an enterprising young man who was recruiting for Investor’s Syndicate, that chance meeting, changed Bjorn’s life. Bjorn worked as a Financial Planner and Branch Manager for over thirty years for a number of different companies including, Investor’s, Tillcan, Primamerica, Bank of Montreal, Edward Jones and Associates and finally Union Securities where he retired from the industry. Reminded by his wife that being “retired” without a pension was called unemployment another chance meeting brought Bjorn back to a passion he had since high school, photography and videography. As the proud franchise owner of Home Video Studios Bjorn had spent the last five years of life “making memories”, and making memories he did.

Bjorn met his wife, Shelley (nee Homeniuk), while at college. During the two year program a special friendship was established that grew into a marriage that just celebrated their 29th anniversary. Bjorn and Shelley were blessed with the birth of their three children, Madisson, Rachel and Tanner. In 1993, after the birth of their second daughter, seeking more space to live and grow their family, Bjorn and Shelley moved to Scoble Township. This move was a gift of space, freedom, the ability to make the largest bon fires known to man and the establishment of long time friendships. 

Bjorn was a lifelong Lutheran and brought his faith and his family to Calvary Lutheran Church in Thunder Bay. Active in the church from the beginning, Bjorn served as a council member, president of the church council and treasurer. He also served as a board member and president of the Lutheran Community Care Centre. He was a proud member of the Mile Hill Melodrama Theatre group performing and directing a number of productions and in one case actually doing both at the same time. Bjorn loved his theatre family as they did him and his death has left a void that cannot be replaced. 

Bjorn lived life with an intensity and brilliance that would often find him engaged in the deepest of discussions with numerous sparing partners. He often marvelled at how people thought he loved to argue, when in reality they were the ones arguing because he was just always right and if they would just accept that fact there would be no need for him to convenience them of anything otherwise. 

Bjorn is survived by his wife Shelley. Left to carry on his legacy are his daughter’s Madisson Hesom (Stuart), Rachel (Jay St. Onge) and son Tanner. Bjorn is also survived by his brother Steven (Barbara) of PEI and his sister Dorothy Burton of Winnipeg. Brothers and Sisters in Law, Jim and Sandi Homeniuk, Doug Malin and Bonnie Cava. Left to feel the loss are his nieces and nephews (Jay (Mary Ann), Tracy, Trevor, Nick (Claudia), Stephanie, Sarah, James and, great nieces and nephew, numerous cousins, aunts and uncles in the Winnipeg area. 

The family would like to express our sincerest thanks to the wonderful members of the Neebing Volunteer Fire Association for being with Bjorn at the end. The care and compassion you showed to the love or our life will always be appreciated. 

Bjorn’s life will be celebrated at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2820 Donald Street East, on Tuesday, August 1st, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Friends and family will also be celebrating his amazing life at the Gillies Community Center, Hwy. 595, at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Gillies Community Center or the Lutheran Community Care Center would be greatly appreciated.