James Ashley Greggain

Born March 10/29 in Oxbow Saskatchewan, with his wombmate Lois and born so tiny that neither were expected to survive, they both proved their resilience and the tenacity of Grandma Ruby Greggain at a very early age. Survive they did, in a shoe box on the top of a hot water radiator to keep warm in the grain elevator siding home that they went home to.

Early in their life, before any of the other three siblings were born, Tommy and Ruby moved to Alameda, where our father grew up. His early life tenacity was tested by the great Saskatchewan drought and depression of the 30’s, a great World War, and the challenges of growing up in a small rural Saskatchewan town.

Moving to Regina to finish high school and attend Balfour Technical High for carpentry training, he met the love of his life, Evelyn Agnes Pearce. Evelyn was there to take commercial training at Balfour, after graduating from Central Collegiate High School.

After graduating, Dad spent a brief time using his carpentry skills as a cabinet maker and was able to convince Evelyn to marry him August 4, 1951. A few short years later, Dad found a better job and started his life long career with Goodyear Tire, retiring 34 years later. Along the way he and Evelyn had 4 children, whom he loved and cherished dearly… Nancy 1955, died in infancy, Donald 1957, Norma Jean 1959, Shirlee 1961.

Throughout those busy family years, Dad always found time to support us through music lessons, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, swimming, sports, school activities and still be active in his church, curling, bridge evenings and being a great friend, in spite of many years of traveling thousands of miles as a traveling salesman.

Throughout his life, he cherished and honored his dearest Evelyn, and they spent many years enjoying camping trips in their 5th wheeler, traveling the world to Europe, most of Canada, much of the United States, British Isles, and cruising in the Panama Canal, Caribbean, and Alaska.

He never forgot the carpentry skills that he had, and always was tinkering at some home improvement project including entirely building the first house that he and Evelyn lived in, or helping anyone that might need it. In his retirement years, spending time camping with his grandchildren, or visiting their children in their far flung places would always give him opportunity to do what he loved to do best… be a servant to others.

There was no task needed, no chore too menial, no project too daunting that he would not tackle. Building decks, shops, garages, refinishing basements or house were all in his wheelhouse, but he would never hesitate if slaughtering and plucking chickens, washing diapers, mopping floors or doing dishes was needed. His quiet sense of humor and willingness to do anything endeared him to all he met. There was never a person that Dad met that wasn’t his friend within the hour, and never a person he could not talk to.

His church family was always an integral part of his life, and his quiet confidence in the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ sustained him. His church life spanned 8 decades, involved in Alameda United Church as a child, then Carmichael United, Broadway United, Discovery Baptist, Hillsdale Baptist and Westhill Baptist. His family knew that he and Mom were supporting each of us in prayer every day, and this strong heritage of faith and prayer were returned in the last weeks of his life as others reciprocated this privilege.

He died after an accidental head injury, spending the last 8 weeks in the very professional care of those at Regina General Hospital and the Kozy Korner Care home, for which the family is grateful. His life of service and caring was so evident by the many visit, cards, letters and phone calls that punctuated these days. He died peacefully on September 27, 2017, called home by our loving Heavenly Father into the place of eternal hope.

Welcome home, good and faithful servant. You will be dearly missed by those on earth, but we will celebrate your life and live with pride with the legacy you left.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Ruby, daughter Nancy, brother Ken, sister Betty, and is survived by his wife of 66 years Evelyn, son Don and his wife Elizbeth, daughter Norma and her husband David, daughter Shirlee and her husband Dick, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, sister Lois of Regina, brother Graham of Oxbow, brother in law Don and his wife Berva of Regina, sister in law Margie of Regina, sister in law Eleanor in Alberta and many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Memorial Service will be held at Westhill Baptist Church on Tuesday October 3/17 at 200pm, with a reception afterwards at the church. All are welcome.