May 20, 1948 – February 11, 2026
Surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren, we announce with heavy hearts the passing of our beloved Father, Artemio Almiñe “Tem” Chavez, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the age of 77. He was predeceased by his parents, Victorio and Gloria, his eldest sister Amparo, and his lifelong partner and wife, Teresita.
Tem was born on May 20, 1948, in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. As a young boy, he enjoyed fishing with his tatay (father) and playing basketball through his high school years. He graduated from Marinduque National High School in 1965, where soon after he would meet his sweetheart, Teresita “Tess”. They began their courtship in 1967 before Tem immigrated to Canada in 1972 during Philippine Martial Law. They reunited and were married in a civil ceremony at Parañaque City Hall on May 23, 1975, followed by a church wedding in Winnipeg later that year in November.
Tem’s larger-than-life personality and adventurous nature led him through many ventures, which included touring parts of Europe selling Belkraft Cookware, where he would send handwritten postcards to his darling Tess detailing his travels. He also worked as a Winnipeg Transit Driver and night auditor at Ramada Inn before discovering his passion for photography through his sister Adalia “Dahl.” Together they built Dahl’s Photography, where Tem would become THE well respected and celebrated Filipino professional photographer, capturing weddings, debuts, family portraits, and editorial work. He earned prestigious awards and served as the main photographer for Folklorama and Magdaragat in their early days. He later opened the Winnipeg branch of Dahl’s Express to help “kababayan” send money back home to their loved ones in the Philippines, and Dahl’s Grocery, the family run store. His career over the last two decades was as a courier driver delivering throughout the local hospitals until his retirement in May 2025.
If you didn’t know him from any of these, you DEFINITELY knew him from GOLF – his most favourite past time. Weekends were reserved for the course. He was a founding member of the original PAGAM (Philippine Golfers Association of Manitoba) and a key organizer for the annual Golf Jamboree in the Philippines. He loved teaching the game and coaching anyone who was new to it, including his daughter, son-in-law, grandson and nephew. Tem was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus and proudly helped organize special Sunday church brunches.
To his family, he was “Papa Tem” — husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He and Tess welcomed two daughters after arriving in Canada, Teresa Audrey (1976) and Marie Kristy (1982). He had an insatiable entrepreneurial spirit and providing for his family was his driving force. Tireless, ambitious, and generous, he built a legacy through hard work, faith, and love.
He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Teresa Audrey (Enrique) and Marie Kristy “Marikris” (Philip); his beloved grandchildren, Jailene, Jeric, Elise, and Aiva; his older sisters, Adalia, Amelia, and Aurora; his younger brother Clodualdo; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and the Winnipeg Filipino community.
Lamay was held on Sunday, February 22nd, at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd.
A Funeral Mass took place on Tuesday, February 24th, at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Roman Catholic Church, 15 Columbia Drive. A private inurnment followed the Mass, in Living Waters Columbarium, for immediate family.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the CancerCare Manitoba and WRHA Palliative Care teams and the nurses and staff of Cornish 5 at Misericordia Health Centre for their compassion and care during his final days.
We will forever miss his warm greetings of, “Hi Gorgeous” and “You look mahvelous, dahling”. Gone but never forgotten. Rest easy now, Dad — reunited with Mom in peace and joy for all eternity.