Wesley Peel Christian

I want to welcome you all in celebrating a life that was very well lived. I also want to thank everyone for taking the time to share our special day with us.

My name is Tracy Harden and I am Joan and Gary’s youngest. I am one of his 11 grandchildren. In fact, I am number 6. I wanted to be number 5, but Linda beat me to it.

Today we are going to speak about Grandpa and you will get to learn more about his life and you get to hear some of the things that he so enjoyed. As well, we will listen to some hymns that he liked and then there will be a slide presentation picturing some of the people he so cherished most in his life.

Our family would like to invite you to stay to for a visit and enjoy some tea and lunch with us afterwards. We would love to hear your good thoughts and memories of Grandpa at that time.

I hope that you will leave today knowing one more thing about Grandpa and you’ll be able to smile or laugh about a memory or story shared during this time. Our Grandpa had a good sense of humour and he would want for us to celebrate in happiness of all of the great things about his life.

At this point, I would like to call upon Uncle Ralph to tell the story of his Dad’s life.

Dad’s Life As read by Son Ralph

1916 to 2012

We are here today to celebrate the life of Wesley Christian- father, grandfather, great grandfather, successful business man, golfer, RV traveler, handyman and gentleman. While we are saddened by his passing, our focus is on celebrating his life which was long and eventful. Dad was born Oct 18, 1916 in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. His parents were Caroline Louise (Sheppard) and Irvine Christian. As a new born he was premature and weighed less than 3 pounds. He was short during his school years but grew to be the tallest of the family at 6 feet. Dad was the 5th of 11 children – Gordon, Edith, Bruce, Margaret, Wesley, Elsie, Ruth, John, Donald, Betty, Louise. His father was a veterinarian and worked in meat inspection. Two of his father’s brothers were also veterinarians- Oscar and Will. He spent most of his childhood in Edmonton in the Norwood district and completed Grade 12 at Victoria High School. He earned extra money by herding dairy cows to and from a farm north of Edmonton on 66th St., delivering newspapers and working at a grocery store. His first full time job was delivering bread door to door with a horse-drawn wagon. One of his endeavors was buying older cars to fix up even painted them with a paint brush and would sell them to make a few dollars. Dad always liked cars. He was given a brass era car, a Kissell , by his Grandpa Sheppard that was not running, and he could never get it to run. He later had a tan colored Model A Ford Coupe with a rumble seat. That car had a gravity feed fuel tank and if the hill was real steep it worked better to go up backward. He liked power and had a 1966 Buick Wildcat with the 455 engine. He always took good care of his cars, truck and his trailers. The family would all go out to Cooking Lake for picnics in his father’s cars. The roads were poor and tires not very good. There would be flat tires every trip. Dad’s next job was at Swift Canadian Company on the order desk at about $5 a week. Next he was on the road selling for Swift Canadian Company –his first territory was the Peace River Country, centered at Grande Prairie, where he met Mary Patterson at the airport when she was picking up the mail for the Post Office. Wesley and Mary were married in Grande Prairie in 1940 and moved to Edmonton in 1941. Joan was born in Edmonton in 1941. Swift transferred him to Lethbridge where Ralph and Mary Lou were born. Some of the customers in the towns were Chinese and Dad learned a few Chinese words and expressions that he would use all through his life. Dad was transferred back to Edmonton and Jim was born there in 1947. The next transfer was to Toronto, and then to then to Calgary, where he was Sales Manager for Union Packing Company. And then to Edmonton again as Sales Manager at Swift Canadian Company. Tragedy struck when Mary Lou died in March 1958. She had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since she was 4 years old. Dad was in Prince Rupert at the time and could not get home for a few days.

After moving to a new house in Edmonton for a few years we were transferred to Toronto in 1962. Dad was Sales Manager for Eastern Canada, then Vice president for all of Canada. Dad lost money on the new house as the market had softened and never forgot that loss. As time passed, Joan and Gary raised many foster children. Ralph and Jim went on to graduate from Veterinary College. He had 11 grandchildren, the first was born 1963, the first of 22 great-grandchildren was born in 1988. Dad enjoyed animals particularly dogs, not so much cats, and always had a dog when he could. Life included grandchildren and great grandchildren, Dad and Mom enjoyed travel to Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. He took up golfing in his 50’s in Toronto, took lessons and became a good golfer with several holes in one. In 1977, after 40 years with Swift he retired and moved back to Edmonton. Dad and Mom spent summers in Edmonton, and winters trailering to Escondido, golfing and organizing pot luck dinners in the trailer park. The trips to Escondido ended 1994. One trip had a truck and trailer accident in Montana which resulted in some injuries and damaged the truck and trailer. We saved and restored the truck, which Bob has now, but the trailer was written off. He continued to enjoy his large family and friends, trips to Pigeon Lake and golfing at the Highlands with his foursome including Steve Hardy, Len Heil, and Don Metheral. Dad had health problems in his later years including heart and kidney difficulties. These eventually resulted in his passing last Sunday. The last two weeks in the hospital were difficult but he maintained his polite nature most of the time. Fortunately Jim and Joanne as well as several grandchildren who live in other countries, provinces and cities were able to be here before Dad passed away. These include Kathy, Sherri, Linda, Jennie, Shannon, Greg and Stacey. We appreciate everyone being here today to help celebrate Dad’s life.

I am honoured to be able to share our Grandpa’s life with you today, as I feel that it is the proper thing for me to do for him. But, before I start I feel I want to share this with you.

There was something so unique taking place at our farm for me the morning Grandpa passed away. While I was standing on my deck, I noticed that everything was absolutely still. Things are never still at my house. The sun was shining, there was not a cloud in the sky, even the air was not moving. The animals were either lying down or standing absolutely still and not making a sound. It was quiet. Again that is something that rarely happens at our place. This stayed like this for at least 20 minutes. It was then, that I felt this overwhelming sense of peace and calmness unlike anything that I have felt before. I felt like everything was in its place and it was all okay. I have gotten up every morning since in hopes of seeing that again, but oh no, we have our regular chorus line of cows mooing and crows cawing and the wind constantly blowing about. Perhaps, I should thank Grandpa for that moment.

I have organized Grandpa’s life into categories that would best help me to describe him.

INTERESTS

Grandpa loved reading and playing crib. He was great at maintaining and tinkering with anything that might need adjusting. My mom remembers Grandma saying “if it is broken your father will fix it.”

Grandpa had a true passion for vehicles and keeping them in TIP TOP shape was his standard. One of his favourites was his burgundy and white 1978 GMC truck. Some of you may have seen it outside today. Both Uncle Jim and Uncle Ralph also share the same passion for cars as Grandpa did.

Organizing and keeping things tidy. He was the best at it. His garage was immaculate. Did you know that not only did he have the cleanest driveway, but the cleanest sidewalk and the cleanest part of the street, because he actually washed down the street in front of his house! In fact, we didn’t even park our vehicles on their driveway in fear that it would get dirty.

MUSIC

Grandpa enjoyed both listening and singing to his favourite songs. One time, when Grandpa was driving, I remember, that he was so immersed in singing the French National Anthem that he forgot what his speed was. The louder he sang the faster we went, until a friendly Ontario police officer pulled us over and politely asked him to slow down. Mom, didn’t this same type of thing happen to you when you were driving with all of us through Ma-Me-O, a couple years ago? However, I think our song was Row Row Row Your Boat, and you too,/ only got a friendly reminder. I guess the apple does not fall too far from the tree.

FOOD

Grandpa loved a variety of food and especially loved to barbeque. In fact, according to Linda he could tell when the steak would be 28 seconds from being ready. Did you know that raisin pie was his favourite?

SPORTS

Grandpa used to love to play tennis and apparently “Jim” could not beat him at it either. He enjoyed watching a wide variety of sports on t.v. His true sports passion, however, was golf. Grandpa golfed many courses, but spent the most time at the Highlands Golf and Country Club, where he golfed with his great friends, and sometimes my Dad. As Uncle Ralph mentioned, Grandpa was lucky enough to get a few hole in one’s. However, I believe you have to be good to be lucky.

VACATIONS

Grandpa and Grandma travelled to many places. One of their favourite spots that they returned to for many years, was the Ivy Del RV Park in Escondido, CA. They would also bring the trailer out to the lake where Grandpa spent most of his time waxing and cleaning the already clean trailer while Grandma was busy baking something fabulous inside.

FRIENDS

Grandpa had many close and dear friends. He was still coffeeing with his buddy Steve every Wednesday and Saturday up until he went into the hospital.

FAMILY

It was the most important thing in Grandpa’s life and it gave him the most happiness. As you know, Grandpa and Grandma had another beautiful daughter named Mary Lou. She was a fun, full of life girl, who nick- named her brother “Jimmy”. You will get to see how beautiful she was when you watch the slide show. In that picture she was crowned the Carnival Queen in 1954.

Grandpa was very proud of his family and all of their accomplishments.

Grandpa loved having everyone over for Sunday suppers, where great matches of ping-pong took place. I remember some pretty intense games between Uncle Ralph, Mom and Grandpa. World Cup Soccer even took place in his well groomed backyard. This is also where great conversations occurred.

Grandpa would sometimes use this time to show off his ability to speak in the different languages that he knew a bit about. That impressed us.

LOVE

Grandpa’s truest love of all was Grandma. They were friends, golfing partners, gardeners, driving companions, baker and food tester, sock darner and sock wearer, and so much more.

Our Grandpa lived to the great healthy age of 95. He was very independent as you all know. He lived in his own house and was still driving his well kept car. He looked very forward to going to my Mom and Dad’s every night for supper, where he would enjoy having a scotch before dinner, playing a game of crib and talking about the day’s events. Thank you for being there for him Mom, you two were truly great friends. I am so proud of you for being such a loving caregiver, and a dedicated daughter to Grandpa. I am truly honoured to call you my mom.

Our Grandpa believed in quality of life not quantity, but he was lucky because he had both. I hope that we can all be as fortunate to have such a long, loving, healthy life.

Now we are going hear one of our favourite hymns Amazing Grace.

At this time, I would like to call upon Uncle Jim to read the 23rd Psalm.

Now we are going to spend the next few minutes looking at some of the people who made Grandpa smile.

SLIDE PRESENTATION

I would now like to share a kind message that was sent by Grandpa’s nephew Jeff, yesterday.

Saddened to hear the news. My Uncle Wes was a man I was proud to be related to; a man who was a good example for me; and most of all, good company. His smile, sense of humour and welcoming way always made me feel like I mattered to him, even though I was just another one of a lot of kids. I'm far away and unable to attend, but will sure be thinking of you all.

Best regards and with sympathy,

Jeff

I also received this beautiful card the other day that said, “Your Grandpa lived a long and healthy life, due in no small part to the closeness and love from his family.” I very much have to agree with this.

Before we all gather together in the other room for tea and lunch, I would like to share some last memories of Grandpa as I knew him and how others knew him as well.

Grandpa was about doing the right thing. He was the pillar of common sense and had knowledge of many things. He was the person you could go to whenever you needed to know something. He was always happy to share his wisdom.

Grandpa was that honest person who followed rules to a tee. If you were ever lucky enough to have gone golfing with him you would have witnessed his great knowledge and respect for the game. I think everyone’s score was a little higher because they too had to follow the rules when you golfed with Grandpa. However, I still think that using a foot wedge shouldn’t count as an extra stroke. My Dad and Grandpa went golfing one time and somehow my Dad’s club ended up high up into a tree. So then of course, my Dad had to climb the very sappy tree to get it back. Can you just imagine my Grandpa standing there watching this 6 foot 3 man climb this tree trying to retrieve his club! I LOVE IT!!

I loved the fact that Grandpa took the time to come and watch some of the many extra curricular activities that we as grandkids and great grandchildren were involved in.

I have this funny story to tell or at least we thought it was funny. I am not sure if I ever heard my Grandpa swear as it was not proper to swear around children or women, until recently. The second day Grandpa was in the hospital, his hearing aides were not working quite right. I said to Grandpa, you look good! He looked at me with a scowl and said loudly, “You think I look like hell!” Brent and I started laughing and so did he when we told him what I really said. He did look really good, he always did.

Grandpa was always polite and was so happy to see you. We were always greeted with a warm smile and waited for us to give him a big hug. He was, well mannered and a true gentleman. Even in the last few days he always made you feel good about seeing him. He would say, thank you for coming or it was kind of you to come. Even when the nurses would come to do a painful procedure he would graciously say thank you when they were done.

As you have already heard Grandpa was meticulous about taking care of his vehicles. I was honoured when Grandpa offered his truck to us. But after careful consideration and much stress, I thought, I live down the muddiest gravel road in all of Canada. I will not be able to keep it spotless the way Grandpa did without washing it twice a day. Bob, you are doing a great job in keeping Grandpa’s truck the way he liked it. A little fancier rims and tires, mind you.

It is so great that kids have such an ability to make you laugh or smile at a time of sadness. Both of my kids are very good at this. The other day I was having a tearful moment while I was driving home and Branson says, “oh no, don’t cry now mom- you’ll fog up your glasses and we’ll hit the ditch.” Kids, thank goodness for them.

I know that Grandpa truly enjoyed all of the funny moments that he had with all of us kids.

Here are some memories and thoughts given to me when I asked, our family,

“When you think of Grandpa what do you think of?”

Grandpa taking naps in the trunk of his car, corduroy and cardigans, quiet, well mannered, his cool hats, Swiss Chalet, a mentor in helping me in sales, lemon pie, rhubarb sauce, always wanted to sleep in their cool Argosy trailer, dignified, always interested in what you had to say, a good friend, good to his siblings, introducing himself as Christian to his grand kids, a great crib player, prime rib, strong, caring, gave great hugs, he was the definition of morality and fair play, while being honest in all he did, at work and at home, a great bar-b-quer, a perfectionist with his lawn, Sunday dinners, sitting on their deck while they were at the lake, he was really smart, he had lots of answers to things, ping pong, cars, and very, very independent

These memories could go on forever. He was a great man.

We were lucky to have had such a great Grandpa who took such interest in our lives and loved us with all of his heart. It was easy to see how much he was loved by his family, as they came from all over the world to have one last chance for a visit and a smile. He was a very important part of our lives.

On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you all for coming and sharing with us the wonderful life of Wesley Peel Christian. It would have meant the world to him that you all took the time to be here today. Hope to see you all at the luncheon.

* * * * * * * * * *

CHRISTIAN, Wesley “Wes” Peel

1916 – 2012

Wes passed away peacefully at the University of Alberta Hospital on May 27, 2012.

He is survived by his daughter Joan (Gary) Schurman, son Ralph (Brenda), son James (Joanne), and by 11 grandchildren; Shannon (Jamie) Schurman, Carolyn (Scott) Davies, Tracy (Brent) Harden, Greg (Rita) Schurman, Vicki (Gary) Urlacher, Linda (Brian) Zimmerman, Bob (Lorann) Christian, Sherri (Andrew) Lang, Kathy (Clayton) Soltys, Jennie (Brian) Wilson, and Stacey Taggart. He is also survived by 22 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. As well he is survived by his brother Donald (Shirley) and sister in law Ivy. Wes was predeceased by his wife Mary and daughter Mary Lou.

He lived a long and interesting life and had retired as vice president of Swift Canadian Company in 1976. He was a strong family man and a gentleman. He was one of 11 children of Irvine Christian DVM and Louise Sheppard.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nursing staff of the Walter Mackenzie Hospital unit 5D3 for their kind and competent care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Memories Funeral Home, 13403 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton, AB on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations to the University of Alberta Hospital 8440-112 Street Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7or charity of your choice are appreciated.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.memoriesfuneral.com

Memories

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780-454-9111

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