Sheldon Clarke

As dawn broke on the morning of March 3, 2022, Sheldon Lawrence Dease Clarke gently but reluctantly closed his circle. Born on July 4, 1943 in Fort Vermillion, Alberta to Warren and Rachel (nee Hodgdon) Clarke, Sheldon grew up along the banks of the Mighty Peace River but spent his summers farming with his maternal grandparents in Southern Alberta near Whiskey Gap. Growing up in the North, Sheldon learned to live without many modern conveniences like running water, electricity, and central heating. He learned to appreciate, but never take for granted, the finer things in life. Fort Vermillion was only accessible by ferry or an ice road. Educational opportunities were slim. As a result, Sheldon attended St. Anthony’s in Edmonton and later attended school in Jasper. After high school, Sheldon worked for Acme Toy and Novelty as a clerk and even tried his hand at selling shoes. He worked for Alberta Highways painting the lines on the road, as well as CP Rail and Mannox as a timekeeper.

Eventually he decided to pursue a professional career that would enable him to comfortably support his new wife and future family and ensure he no longer had to endure the elements. Sheldon met Lynn the summer of 1966 while they were both working near the Alberta/NWT border. Their love will endure forever; they each were what the other was not; they completed each other. In Spring of 1970, Sheldon graduated from NAIT as an Architectural Technologist and began working for the City of Edmonton. Later that year, Lynn and Sheldon welcomed Tady, their first child. In 1972 they moved to Winnipeg so that Sheldon could attend university. Tara, their second daughter, arrived during a massive snowstorm in late 1973. After obtaining his Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Manitoba in 1974, Sheldon began his career as an Urban Planner in Grand Prairie, Alberta with the Peace River Planning Commission. In 1975, the family grew to five with the birth of his son Aaron. By the 1980’s, Sheldon had relocated to Regina, SK where he worked for a local architectural and engineering firm before taking a position with the Province of Saskatchewan, where he would work for 35 years as a Community Planner. Sheldon took great pride in the Main Street Program and his later post-retirement work as a private consultant guiding rural municipalities through the process of developing an official plan. No one could run a public meeting or entertain a local council like Sheldon.

Sheldon could have a meaningful, mutually enriching conversation with anyone. His innate curiosity and charm made him easy to be around. Everyone he interacted with was treated with respect and dignity. He made a point of learning how to say “Thank you” in many different languages so he could connect with anyone from the Tim Horton’s window attendant to local dignitaries. He often claimed good manners opened doors but maintained that politeness should never be mistaken for weakness. Sheldon loved to travel. His adventures took him from Ireland to South America. He and Lynn travelled all over Canada, visiting each province and territory at least once. Early in their courtship they thought little of driving for several hours just to get a coffee. For two decades, Lynn and Sheldon spent most of the winter in Mazatlan, Mexico. They even obtained Permanent Mexican Residency. Sheldon had an affinity for bodies of water. He was a deft hand at skipping stones. He could lose himself watching and listening to the rivers, lakes, and oceans. He spent many hours canoeing and sailing. He was in the process of restoring a sailboat of his own. Sheldon hoped his work with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will help protect our water for generations to come.

Sheldon had a highly developed sense of aesthetics that was evident in his knowledge and appreciation of Math and Art. He was a skilled landscape painter. He experimented with geodesic domes, computer programming, metal working and drones. He derived pleasure from simply “cutting and sawing”. He instilled a love of “Pi” and perspective in his children and grandchildren. A lesson on perspective was never just about drawing, but about how to “see” things from different points of view, both physically and philosophically. Sheldon also appreciated the nuances of language. Sheldon interacted with many people and in many ways. He was a University of Regina Senator, a member of the CIP and SPA, a cub leader. He contributed to many organizations, including the Multicultural Association of Regina. He coached ringette for seven years. Sheldon turned ringette into a family affair where one child was on the ice, one was the water boy, one was the trainer, and Mom was the manager. He taught many young players not only the values of sportsmanship and teamwork, but to “turn on a dime” and “angle them into the boards”. These phrases turned into metaphors to help navigate life’s difficult situations. In his final days, Sheldon left this world in his own unique way. He always took the long way home, stopping to watch the geese land on the lake or the rabbits run across the field. There was always an extra stop somewhere. His life was like a good campfire. Sometimes he burned hot and intense: sometimes he needed stoking and attending. He was always beautiful and fascinating to watch. In the end, the fire burned down to coals that slowly grew colder by dawn.

Sheldon is predeceased by his parents, Warren and Rachel Clarke, his mother and father-in-law (Alv and Jean (nee Sims) Markuson) his infant brother Joseph, special cousin Marge Kelm, brothers-in-law (Les, Dean and Pat) and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sheldon leaves behind his beloved wife Lynn (Sarina Lynn nee Markuson). He leaves behind a family which will always be his greatest legacy – his children, Tady (Robert Bjerke), Tara (Michael Arbez), and Aaron; 9 grandchildren – Riel, Griffin, Cohen, Caileigh, Abbe, Oona, Bella, Brazil and Quinnlyn. He leaves behind a family that embraced and loved him for everything he was – his in laws, Joan and Tony Duhaime, Donna Portras, Faye and Bob Wickens, Myrna and Roger Bernier, Kim and Rick Fabian, and Shannon Leask, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He leaves behind a large extended family that supported, raised, and grew up with him including Mabel Dunn, Tommy and Maureen Clarke, Faye and Mike Gruniger, Carol and Don Gruniger, Stuart Kelm, and Raymond Clarke. He leaves behind best friends that are like family - Sue Luchuck and Rick and Mary Kratz. And finally, he leaves behind his lovely dog Levi.

Sheldon requests that in memory of him each of us do a kind deed or just call someone you care about to share a story or a giggle or to just “put the world to rights”.