Benjamin "Thomas" East, 1929 - 2014
The family of Tom East sadly announces his passing at the Regina General Hospital on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at the age of 85 years.
He was born March 12, 1929 and recently celebrated his 85 birthday at home in Estevan. In recent years he had shown great resolve and strength by overcoming several debilitating illnesses including cancers and West Nile Virus.
Tom grew up near Alameda and moved to Dalesboro District located 11 miles north of Alameda when he was age 15. He farmed there with his father and brothers but his father passed away suddenly in 1950.
Tom married Gwen Povey in 1951 and they eventually purchased a homestead 6 miles North of Alameda in 1955. They moved a small house onto the property and planted trees for a shelter belt. The year 1961 was a terrible drought year and also that year just before Christmas was a bad house fire and the interior destroyed. That house was refurbished with help of family and friends. The family continued to grow, crops were good and cattle were raised. A new and bigger house was built in 1972 and many family gatherings and parties were held.
The family was blessed with music making the occasions and gatherings enjoyable and cementing many cherished memories. Tom enjoyed good friends and good times curling, camping, boating, fishing, golfing and he was also an active Knight of Columbus member for a number of years. He was a cunning card player and honed his shark like skills on the family pool table (not located far from the basement bar). He truly enjoyed the farm lifestyle and is where he taught all his grandchildren to drive, bait a hook and fillet a fish. He would never refuse to help a friend, neighbor or family member. Tom had a great sense of humour, was fond of teasing, had an infectious laugh and will be sorely missed.
Tom's memory will be forever cherished by his loving wife of 62 years, Gwen East of Estevan; son Darryl (Leah) East of Calgary and family: Tara (Colin) Baker of Calgary and Robyn East (A.J. Tocco) of Calgary, daughter Debbie (Stan) Sibley of Manor and family: Vincent Parker (Jackie Spencer) of Oxbow and Sandi Parker, daughter Patti (Murray) Ksenych of Estevan and family: Clayton Ksenych of Regina, Stephanie (Nick) Bourassa of Estevan and Jackie Ksenych (Matt Fraser) of Saskatoon, and daughter Carla (Peter) Ash of Regina; great grandchildren, Tamara Parker, Haven and Summer Bourassa, Tyler Parker and Alyssa Fraser; sister Delores Maierhoffer of Regina; sisters-in-law, Minnie East of Winnipeg and Anne East of Alameda; brother-in-law Fred Povey of Weyburn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his granddaughter Tracey Parker; grandson Jeremy Parker; parents, Zachary and Lucy East; siblings, William (Kathy) East, Lorraine (Stan) McCauley, Gordon East, Dorothy Povey, James (Vivian) East and Jack East; and brother-in-law Karl Maierhoffer.
Prayers were held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan, with Doug Third officiating. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Estevan, by Rev. Gerry Bauche. Interment followed at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan.
Those wishing to make donations in Tom's memory may do so directly to the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, Box 5000 - 203, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A 2V6.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.
Thank You
Gwen East and family would like to thank Estevan Home Care nursing staff for their services over the years for our beloved husband and father Thomas East. Our family would like to thank the Physicians and nursing staff at Saint Joseph's Hospital and The Regina General Hospital for their dedication to providing the best care possible for Tom.
We would like to express our gratitude to Dustin Hall and staff at the Hall Funeral Services. Dustin personally played Tom's favorite Hymns at Prayers and the funeral mass.
We would like to express our gratitude to Doug Third at Prayers and a special thank you for Rev. Gerry Bauche for funeral service.
We also want to include our gratitude to the Saint John the Baptist Choir for the beautiful music and the CWL ladies for the lovely lunch.
We sincerely thank all of our wonderful friends and relatives for the many cards, floral arrangements, food and their love and support through this difficult time. God Bless You All.
-Gwen and family
