Helgi Óli Jónsson Photo: VÍÆ IV
Valencia Shirley Johnson Photo: VÍÆ IV
Helgi Óli Jónsson was born in New Iceland on November 25, 1925. He had the name Helgi Óli Johnson in the west.
Spouse: August 17, 1946 Valencia Shirley b. October 2, 1926, of English and German descent.
Children: 1. Patricia Gail b. July 31, 1947 2. Jaqueline Lellie b. August 12, 1950 3. John Brian b. July 4, 1956.
Helgi was the son of Jón Björnsson and Jósefbína Jósefsdóttir, early settlers in New Iceland. Helgi grew up there and attended school in Gimli. He moved to Winnipeg and worked for the T. Eaton company in the city. Helgi’s management skills soon became apparent, he became CEO of B.C. Packers fish trading company in Gimli from 1966-69, then appointed Canadian government supervisor of Indian fisheries in northern Manitoba. He was on the board of the Íslendingadagarinn festival in Gimli for many years and the congregation committee of the Lutheran church in Gimli. Valencia taught singing and music at Gimli, Arborg, and Riverton.