Ferdinand Manipol Balite - Memorial Sponsorship

In honour and commemoration of Ferdie Balite who was taken from us too soon.

Ferdie was a hardworking, kind and gentle soul. He loved his family with his entire being and enjoyed making memories with them and his many friends.

A man of many interests, Ferdie was most passionate about fishing. He looked forward to fishing season and counted down the weeks, then the days, until the season opened each year. He would fish at every opportunity, undeterred by severe weather conditions. He often fished with Wilma, our parents, our uncle or with friends. But he'd also fish alone, enjoying the water and the quiet solitude. He found peace when fishing. The distractions of the world disappeared when he was focused on his rod, reel and line.

A true fishing enthusiast, he attended the Filipino-Canadian Anglers Association of Manitoba's (FAAM) inaugural meeting in April 2017. He'd been working a late shift that night but used his lunch break to attend that meeting and become a member of the FAAM. He was one of the originals, well known for his commitment to the angling community and his support of FAAM events. He was a regular at the Annual Shore Fishing Derby and he looked forward to competing and winning every September.

As fishing was such an important part of Ferdie's life, the Balite Family will be establishing a memorial sponsorship for an award in his honour at future Shore Fishing Derbies. Through this annual tribute, we hope to share his love of the sport with new and experienced anglers alike and keep his connection to the sport that brought him such happiness.

“The act of fishing transports us to a special world and a state of mind where we are free.” – Fennel Hadson

Thank you,

- Balite Family -