Brandur (Lefty) Andrew Goodbrandson was born in 1926. He enlisted in the Canadian Army during World War II. After the war he began the family business, Goodbrandson’s Transfer Ltd, a freight business which transported goods locally. During retirement Lefty maintained membership at several clubs in the community.
Early Life
Brandur (Lefty) Andrew Goodbrandson was born on November 26th, 1926 to Icelandic parents Gudbrandur and Alfeidur. He had five siblings, Siggi, John, Kris, Buddy, and Allie. Siggi was also a member of the Dufferin Gang. He attended Southward School and Central School.
Military Career
Lefty enlisted in the Canadian Army on February 8th, 1945. He completed infantry training in Winnipeg and Pettawa, Ontario before transferring to the Prisoner of War Camp in Medicine Hat, Alberta where he worked as a tower guard, jeep, and truck driver. Lefty was honourably discharged from military service when the war ended.
Post Military Career
After returning home on September 8th, 1945, Lefty began building his future. Over the years he held a variety of jobs such as cutting, hauling, and delivering ice with his father, managing fishermen’s nets on Lake Winnipeg, and filleting fish for Booth Fisheries. He also worked at Fairfield’s and the Manitoba Rolling Mills before operating a Shell service station. The experience he gained at these jobs reflected a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, both which would serve him well in his next pursuit.
In the early years, the Goodbrandson family transported goods and freight by horse-drawn carriage between Winnipeg, Lockport, East Selkirk, and Selkirk. In 1955, Lefty purchased the business’s first truck and the business underwent a name change to Goodbrandson’s Transfer Ltd. Goodbrandson’s Transfer continued to expand when the business purchased the franchise formerly owned by Biggar Bros. which allowed them to operate between Selkirk and Winnipeg. Lefty ran the company until his retirement in 1988.
The business was widely successful and is still operating today. Lefty’s commitment to honest work and exceptional service earned him the respect of both customers and colleagues throughout the community.
Family Life
Lefty met the love of his life, Beverley Waterman while she was working at the Garry Theatre. They were married on August 4th, 1956, and began a lifelong partnership built on love, commitment, and family. Together they raised three children, Wendy, born in 1960, Jill, born in 1963, and Dean, born in 1966.
The family spent many vacations together, making annual trips to Clear Lake a treasured tradition. Holidays at Disneyland, Disney World, and Minneapolis would also become lasting memories.
Like his father before him, Lefty had a lifelong passion for sports. That love became one of the greatest gifts he shared with his family. He travelled across Canada to support his children in their basketball, golf, volleyball, hockey, and baseball pursuits, always cheering them on from the stands. As his family grew to include grandchildren, Lefty continued this unwavering support. Whether it was a game or a practice, he was there – encouraging, celebrating, and showing his love simply by being present.
During retirement Lefty maintained memberships at several clubs, such as the Manitoba Trucking Association, Masons at Lisgar Lodge No.2, the Selkirk Kinsmen Club, K-40 Club, Selkirk Curling Club, Selkirk Golf and Country Club, and was an executive member of the Selkirk Steel Kings Hockey Team. Lefty enjoyed spending time on the golf course, curling with friends, and playing cribbage. He was a quiet and private person who valued hard work, organization, and responsibility. Though he wasn’t one to seek the spotlight, his steady presence, dependable nature, and leadership left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
Lefty passed away at the Selkirk General Hospital on November 17, 2011 and is buried at the Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery.
Brandur Goodbrandson Collection
Click on images to enlarge
Lefty Second Row, Third from the Left, 1945, Goodbrandson Family
Sources
Winnipeg Free Press, 2011
Selkirk Enterprise, 1955
Goodbrandson Family
