Al Hattie

Al Hattie passed away peacefully at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK at the age of 84. Al was born in Vancouver, BC to Russell and Florence Hattie. The oldest of three boys he grew up with brothers Jim and Richard. After finishing school he traveled with his friend Wes by motorcycle to Regina, SK to the RCMP Training Depot to become a Mountie. He was later posted to Outlook, SK where he met a pretty nurse named Lois Boan and fell head over heels in love. So much so that he gave up his posting to marry her before she got away. In those days a Mountie had to be in service for 5 years before they could be married. Al and Lois moved to Calgary and then Edmonton in the next few years and son Blair and daughter Colleen arrived. In 1962 they settled in Saskatoon and added Brent and Linda to their family. Al & Lois were married for 61 ½ years and lived in their house on Ruth St. for 57 years before moving to the Ilarion Residence last fall. Al spent all of his working years in the General Insurance Industry in various roles. He worked for Wawanesa Insurance for over 25 years before he and Lois opened Al Hattie Insurance in 1982 which now includes the fourth generation of family staff. Al was a founding member of the Saskatoon Branch of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose – a fraternal organization for members of the Insurance Industry. He also had a strong interest in Arbitration and Mediation taking training courses to become a Chartered Arbitrator (C. Arb.) and auditing Law Classes at the University of Saskatchewan. When the family was young, Al helped with the Parents’ Groups of Bethel 22nd Scouts and Air Cadets # 107 and was active at the YMCA playing Racquetball. Al and Lois built a cabin at Palliser Regional Park on Lake Diefenbaker where they enjoyed many summers boating, water skiing, fishing and golfing with their family and friends. He was a longtime member of the RCMP Vets Association as he was very proud of his short time as a Mountie. He was also on the board of the Lung Association for many years. Al Hattie had many accomplishments but the best things about our Dad and Grandpa were his love of life – his positive outlook – his hearty laugh – his giant bone-crushing bear hugs. He was a talker and loved people – if you were family he wanted to know about everything you were involved in. If you were a stranger he wanted to hear your whole life story and was happy to share his story with you. There was never a short conversation with Al. We will miss him deeply. Al was predeceased by his parents Russell and Florence Hattie, parents-in-law Walter and Alice Boan, brother Jim Hattie, brothers-in-law Elgan Thomas and Orval Rayner, son Blair Hattie, grandson Dylan Nahorniak. He is survived by his wife Lois; daughter Colleen (Gino) Nahorniak; Corinne (Tim) Bernes, Jasmine, Colton; Beth, Gaius, Camilo; Rochelle(Travis), Brooklyn, Kashton; Teralyn, King; son Brent (Debbie) Hattie; Jason, Kevin, Lee (Aarron); daughter Linda (Rod) Karlenzig; Broderick (Juliana), Bryce; brother Richard Hattie; brother-in-law Arnold (Adeline) Boan; sisters-in-law Hilda Thomas and Marjorie Rayner; cousins, nieces and nephews.