Albert Boyd Perkin
June 9, 1963 - August 2, 2026
“Lust for Life”
It is with great sorrow that the family announces the passing of Albert Boyd Perkin, a man of boundless love and compassion.
Albert was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 9, 1963, to Barbara Kathleen (Asham) and Vernon John Perkin. He transitioned out of this life on August 2, 2026. Through his journey of 63 years, he touched so many lives with his kindness, humour, and unwavering spirit of perseverance.
Albert was predeceased by his father (1965), his mother (2022), and his beloved baby boy, Angus (2000).
He is survived by his partner, Tara (Steve); his children, Danielle (Brynlee Asher), Koltin (Cassie & Grayson), and Caden; his brother, Gib (Janice); and his sisters, Leslie (Keith), Jackie, and Janet (Jacques). He will also be deeply missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, extended family, and friends.
Albert lived and grew up in Old St. Vital. He leaves behind a multitude of friends who were ever-present in his daily life. He was constantly in touch and in tune with the happenings of the day. Albert’s greatest wish was to “hang around” long enough to see his boys, Koltin Hawk and Caden David, grow into the young men they are today. He was ever grateful for this time with them. He was content knowing that Gib and Steve remain the caretakers of his son’s continued growth and future shenanigans that make their country life grand. He also felt privileged to have watched Danielle grow from the age of three into the woman she has become. Danielle’s children, Brynlee and Asher, and Hawk and Cassie’s son, Grayson, were the joys of his life. He was a very proud grampa.
Ab began life in Regina, Saskatchewan, as an Army brat, born into a military family and the unique way of life that came with it. When his father went missing in 1965, his mother moved the family to Winnipeg to be close to her large extended family. Old St. Vital became home, and the family quickly became part of the Glenwood School community.
Albert had a natural way of making friends wherever he went, and many of those childhood friendships remained among his closest throughout his life. His circle of friends only grew from there — and it became an enormous one. He played hockey at the club, swam at King George, ate lunch at The Spot (fries & gravy), went to the Ex every year, played in the sun at Winnipeg Beach, played football in the front-yard dustbowl, raided gardens, and certainly had a mischievous and cherished childhood.
Ab went on to high school with the same group of friends, graduated, and went to work. Even as a young man, though, there was already something naturally fatherly about him. When his niblings, Lee and Robyn, moved into the family home on Pilgrim, Ab stepped easily into that role for them — offering the guidance, protection, humour, and steady presence that would become such a defining part of who he was. He was still a young man himself, but caring for others seemed to come naturally to him. Over the years, Ab would become a father figure to many, whether they were family by blood or simply fortunate enough to find a place in his enormous circle.
Ab was finding his own way in the world. He played around in the workforce for some time, never quite feeling satisfied or accomplished. Then he found horses, cowboy hats, and a life that seemed to fit. Alongside his brother Gib at Bird’s Hill Park Ranch, Ab discovered his love for cowboying and embraced the country life wholeheartedly.
He shared this cowboy life with family and friends through sleigh rides, bonfires, trail rides, and Christmases in the lodge (thanks to Ivor!).
Around this time, Tara came into his life, and they went off to Ostenfeld Road, just a short jaunt from Gib and Jan’s place. Together, they opened their home and their hearts to children who needed a safe and caring place to land. Ab devoted many of those years to fostering children, offering them the same warmth, humour, and sense of belonging that came so naturally to him. With little Danielle, they soon began building a family of their own.
Angus arrived in 2000 and left just a few days later. The loss changed Ab profoundly, and he never truly recovered. He carried a small urn with him on his many adventures, and that brought him comfort. Koltin Hawk arrived 18 months later, and Caden David came a few years after that. This little family, along with his extended family, saved him over and over again. He truly loved his country life.
After the ranch, Ab found Epic Opportunities and worked as a holistic support person for adults with intellectual disabilities. He supported them on their journeys through a complicated and sometimes confusing world, assisting with personal growth in their homes and communities.
He loved “his boys,” as he called them, and often shared stories of their day-to-day adventures. They were fortunate to have Ab guide them, and he was sorry to leave them. Ab also found music. With Gib’s love and mentoring spirit, Ab became a self-taught singer and musician. The brothers enjoyed the minstrel life right through to his final days — hosting grand country soirées, occasionally playing the local bar scene, and accepting the many invitations that came their way (G-Mac). They shared the stage and the good times with many special guests and bandmates: Sticks, James, Donny, Bentley, Billy, and many more. The list goes on.
Ab became seriously ill in 2009 and survived to continue being a loving father, brother, friend, and musician — but not without serious underlying consequences. He eventually moved to Winnipeg with Hawk to be closer to the medical facilities that continued to save him.
We said goodbye to our precious little mom in 2022. She made us promise to stay close and protect each other. This has been an easy promise to keep. Albert remained the oldest living self-professed mama’s boy. He had to say goodbye to too many friends in his final years. The loss of his buddies shattered him and certainly drove home just how quickly someone could leave. Through it all, he remained deeply connected to his family, and once again, his family saved him.
Ab had a lust for life that was infectious, whether he was spending time with his children and grandchildren, playing his music, fishing with his buddies, travelling, or heading to cabins with his family.
He had a quick wit, a generous heart, and a knack for making everyone feel welcome and included. He had a big personality and an unwavering dedication to those he loved.
That big, generous heart — the one that served him so well, long after it was supposed to — stopped on Sunday, August 2, in the homestead, in the very room where he had slept as a child. These were his wishes, and they were fulfilled.
Albert was fortunate to leave on his own terms, with fearless grace. Albert’s family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Intensive Care Unit at Grace Hospital and the Asper Centre at St. Boniface Hospital for the exceptional care, compassion, and kindness shown to Albert throughout his medical journey. Their dedication gave Albert and his family more time together, and for that they will always be grateful.
What can be said about a man who touched the lives of so many?
Perhaps Albert would have said it best:
“Live long, Love hard, Play hard, and Sing loud.”
Goodbye to a dear father, brother, uncle, and friend.
Happy Trails, Ab.
Lust for Life!
Branch & Pyre Cremation Care