Marvin Arthur Holbrook

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad, grandpa and great-grandpa. Marv passed away suddenly in the Regina General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Marv was born in Coronach, the second born to Harry and Erlinga Holbrook of the Big Beaver district. He was raised on the family farm, southeast of Big Beaver. Marv and his three brothers attended school at Springdale Grades 1-5, and Grade 6 in Redstone, Grade 7 in Big Beaver, Grade 8 in Springdale, and the rest in Big Beaver. He left school early and entered the work force. He worked a number of jobs in his late teens and young adult hood, including working for Cugnets in Weyburn, working on power lines up north, and driving truck for Dan Willford, then off to Regina to work Gaults Drygoods. Marvin married the love of his life and constant life partner Shirley Hicks from Buffalo Gap on September 11, 1959. They welcomed three girls into their family, Della Lynn, Kelly Ann and Penny Leanne. They began their married life in Regina where he worked for Spic and Span Drycleaning, driving a delivery truck. The first born, Della, was born in Regina and often accompanied Marv on his deliveries. The beginning of two major careers began when Marvin went to work for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and was the agent at Senate, Creighton, Val Marie and Pense. Kelly and Penny were welcomed to the family in Val Marie. Many fun times were had during their years in Val Marie, with life long memories made at the many dine and dances, sitting around the kitchen table, organizing things at the curling rink and spending time at the Holbrook Ranch. During the years in Pense, Marv helped organize one of the first ringette teams in Saskatchewan on which the girls all played and together they made many lasting memories. After working for many years for the Wheat Pool, Marv was looking to own his own business and started looking at a number of things. After looking at a bar and a snowmobile dealership, Uncle Butch called and suggested he open a tire shop in Coronach. Marv cashed in his Wheat Pool pension and went into business. He began in the old Massey Ferguson building on 1st Avenue in Coronach. The business flourished and moved to the abandoned Coop building where it remains today. The tire shop was Marv’s life and he dedicated 38 years to serving the area farmers, residents, businesses and the Poplar River Mine. People came from far and wide to have Marv put on their tires. At the age of 76, with declining health, Marv could not bring himself to put a closed sign on the business that so many people depended on. He also employed many people over the years, loving them all, but mostly his dear nephew Danny Hicks. Marvin was a staunch supporter of the Coronach Golf Course, being a major part of the installation of grass greens and was always on call for help. From the first hint of green till the first fall of snow, you could find Marv and Shirley on the course. He also loved to watch local sports. There was not a game that his children or grandchildren played in that he and Shirley did not attend. They have their own seats at the Coronach Sportsplex and no one dares to sit in their seats. Marvin’s family grew with the addition of three marriages, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They were his pride and joy and a source of great happiness. He was so thrilled to spend time with the latest little Easton. Marv and Shirley’s lives revolved around their family, many family meals, golf, the rink and the odd side trip to a casino or two. Dad loved to play poker and shoot the shit with fellow casino goers. Marvin was predeceased by parents Harry and Erlinga, in-laws Orval and Hazel Hicks, brothers-in-law Dale, Laverne, Dean, Wayne and Doug, sisters-in-law Connie Holbrook, Kathleen Nelson and Dolly Lowe, and grandsons Brody, Curtis and Carson Elder. Marvin leaves to grieve, his loving wife of 56 years Shirley, brothers Garry (Joan), Dean (Bernice), and Howard (Gailene); daughters Della (Dan) Spearing, Kelly (Grant) Elder and Penny (Dale) Janzen; grandchildren Cody (Marina) Spearing, Dallas (Shelby) Elder, Shelby (Logan) Spearing, Boycie (Leya) Elder, Delaney Elder, Brayden and Lane Janzen; great-grandsons Oliver Spearing and Easton Elder, numerous nieces, nephews and a large circle of friends. Family led Service of Remembrance for Marvin was held Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Coronach Community Hall, Coronach, SK. Urn Bearer was grandson Cody. Interment in Buffalo Gap Cemetery at a later date. Memorials accepted for the Coronach Golf Course or Coronach Minor Hockey.