Life Story

Clint was born on September 22, 1944, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was the younger of two children born to Jim and Blanche Acheson, with his brother Fred being 13 years older. As a child, Clint was especially close to his mother, Blanche. Jim’s work with CN Rail required long periods of travel, and with Fred married by the time Clint was eight, it was often just Clint and his mother at home. He cherished many memories of their time together, especially their movie outings—on one occasion, they walked to three different theatres and watched three different films in a single day!

At nine years old, Clint was already independent, taking the bus downtown by himself after school to attend swimming lessons at the YMCA. He also went to Sunday School, continuing faithfully until he was in Grade 12.

Clint was passionate about sports throughout his life and excelled in both hockey and football. He played defense for Bronx Park for most of his childhood, but when he was 12, he was selected to join East End’s hand-picked team. That year, they won the City Championship—and Clint also played up an age level, winning a second championship with the older team. One of his teammates was goaltender Joe Daley, who went on to become the first goalie for the original Winnipeg Jets.

At 15, Clint tried out for the Rangers Junior team, but was the final cut. He often joked that he only ever owned three pairs of skates his entire hockey career, and that because they were too big, he had to wear extra socks—something he believed never helped his skating.

Clint did not attend kindergarten; he began school in Grade 1 at Prince Edward School. On his very first day, he received the strap. He had worn brand-new shoes for the occasion, but after being pushed off a board into a ditch by a classmate named Clifford, Clint retaliated by throwing a rock that struck him. As a result, Clint was sent to the principal’s office and given the strap.

After stepping away from hockey, Clint turned to football. At 17 and 18, he played juvenile football for the Winnipeg Hawkeyes, primarily as a defensive end. In junior football, Clint played for the Weston Wildcats at ages 20 and 21, taking on roles as a guard and linebacker. He earned the league’s Outstanding Linesman award in the Saskatchewan–Manitoba League, though the team ultimately lost in the finals. Clint also tried out for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ rookie camp at ages 19, 20, and 21.

After high school, Clint enrolled in Engineering at the University of Manitoba but left after three months, realizing it wasn’t the right path for him. He then began working at Swift Canadian Meat Packing.

At age 24, he was transferred to Toronto as Assistant By-Product Manager for Swifts. When the rendering plant later closed, Clint was placed in the company’s “Bright Young Men” program, and a new position was created for him in the credit department. While living in Toronto, he met his first wife, Angie Derkach. They were married for almost seven years before she sadly passed away from cancer.

Clint eventually accepted a position with Schneiders in Kitchener. The intention was for him to work in Winnipeg, so he returned home—and it was then that he met Louise. He had known her in his youth through his close friend Laurie, her older brother, but had never pursued a relationship due to their five-year age difference. Clint and Louise were married on Thanksgiving weekend in 1976 and began their life together in Kitchener, Ontario.

Clint’s passion for sports and the outdoors quickly passed to his children. He took an active role in their early sports activities, coaching Lani and Graeme in soccer, t-ball, baseball, and hockey. This love for coaching and sharing his knowledge continued throughout his life, later extending to his grandchildren. One of his favorite pastimes in later years was attending his grandson Tyler’s hockey games, watching intently from the glass and then offering encouragement and guidance during post-game chats.

Clint and Louise were blessed with two children, Lani and Graeme, and began their family life at 157 Royal Orchard Drive in Kitchener, Ontario. Family, friends, and the relationships he built were always central to who Clint was, and many early family memories were shaped around holiday gatherings. Clint also loved the outdoors, enjoying fishing, biking, and cross-country skiing. The family shared countless adventures camping and exploring together, and his love of nature continues to be passed down through his children and grandchildren.

In 1991, the family had the opportunity to return to Winnipeg when Clint and Louise opened their own M&M Meat Shop, the first location outside of Ontario. They operated the store at 1128 Henderson Hwy for 30 years, turning it into a true family business, with Graeme and Lani actively involved from a young age. Many fond memories were made—from order deliveries and charity BBQ fundraisers to the busy holiday rushes when the store was packed to the door. However, the greatest joy for Clint came from the relationships he built with his staff and customers, getting to know them personally, and creating friendships that lasted long after his retirement.

When the family returned to Winnipeg, they settled in East St. Paul at 39 Silver Fox Place, with a backyard overlooking the pond in Silver Springs Park. It was a wonderful family home, featuring a hill for tobogganing, a path around the pond for walks with the family pets, and the pond itself for exploring and skimming for critters. Over the years, the home was filled with celebrations—Christmas gatherings, birthday parties, post-wedding parties, and countless dinners with friends. Clint loved these events and cherished every moment spent in conversation and laughter with family and friends.

The family also enjoyed many vacations, often shared with extended family and friends. Trips out west to visit Clint’s brother Fred in Kamloops, BC, and time spent with the entire Acheson family at Lake Acheson were highlights. Many days were spent around the pool, sharing stories, laughter, and Eve’s homemade cinnamon buns.

Clint also inherited a love of golf from his father, Jim. Over the years, he enjoyed golfing with family and friends, passing his passion on to his son Graeme and grandsons Ethan and Tyler. His dedication to the game was highlighted by a memorable hole-in-one at Pinawa Golf Course. Even in later years, when he could no longer play, he still joined his grandchildren on the course, riding along in the cart and sharing his knowledge and love of the game.

Clint’s passion for sports continued throughout his entire life. He was a season ticket holder and sponsor for the Goldeyes in their very first year and held Manitoba Moose season tickets for many years. In 1998, thanks to an invitation from his brother-in-law Laurie, Clint and Graeme discovered their love for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and became season ticket holders—a tradition they maintained for over 25 years, now passed on to Graeme to share with his own family.

Clint also developed a lifelong passion for fishing. As an adult, he enjoyed numerous trips with friends in Ontario, including outings to the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. One of his most memorable fishing stories came from a derby in Ontario, where he caught a Master Coho Salmon measuring over 37 inches, earning him the prize for the largest daily catch and two new rods and reels. This love of fishing continued in Winnipeg, with trips to Brereton Lake, fly-in fishing adventures with his brother-in-law Jim Nowick in northern Manitoba, and excursions to Jim’s cabin at Shoal Lake.

In his retirement years, Clint discovered a new joy in spoiling his grandchildren. He was blessed with four: Kaylee, Ethan, Tyler, and Jensen, and he cherished watching them grow. Visits to Carberry to see Ethan and Jensen were filled with quad rides, swimming in the pool, enjoying Lani’s cooking, and playing games. Clint also loved trips to the family cabins—Lani’s at Lake Metigoshe and Graeme’s at Lac du Bonnet—where he could share his passion for fishing and the outdoors. Many cherished memories were made on the water, around the card table, or gathered around a bonfire.