Eric Strachan Anderson

Eric Anderson passed away on November 24th, 2012 at River Heights Lodge in North Battleford, at the age of 79. He was born on March 5th, 1933 To Axel and Ivah Anderson at Devlin Ontario. He received his education in the Box Alder one room school house and Fort Frances High School. Upon leaving school he worked for several years in the lumber camps of Northern Ontario. This was in the late 1940’s and trees were still being cut down by hand power , skidding was done by horses, power saws were still a thing of the future. He also worked on some of the last river log drives in that area, it was the end of an era.

Eric came to Saskatchewan in 1952 expecting to stay for a couple of years but ended up staying for 60 years. He worked for SaskPower for almost 35 years retiring on December 31, 1986. His first years with the power Corporation were spent on construction. Rural Electricity was the goal in those early years and he moved around the Province a lot. When he was transferred to the Operating department he was stationed at Saskatoon. He met and married his first wife Tanyss (nee Yaremko) in 1955. Eric and Tanyss lived in Watson from 1956-1957, Eastend from 1957-1962, Watrous 1962 until their separation in1965. Three children were born from this marriage which ended in 1970.

He came to North Battleford in 1972 where he married Janet (nee Tulipan) on November 4, 1972 and they have lived here ever since. In the early 1950’s most of the highways were gravel and most of the country roads were dirt so it wasn’t so easy to get around especially when it rained, so when thunder storms hit and the power went off it was always an adventure, but everyone did the best they could. The farm customers in these days weren’t quite so demanding as they became in later years. They were always ready to help you out in any way whether it was a pull with a tractor through a rough spot any time of the day or night, or a lunch or meal also anytime of the day or night. This was before the time of 2 way radios or even good telephone service so communications were iffy to say the least. In the Eastend area some of the telephones ran on barbed wire fences so if someone didn’t close the gate properly – No Telephone. Eric made many lasting friendships in the SaskPower corporation and liked nothing better than to have a tot and talk over old days with his friends. He attended the SaskPower reunion in Swift Current in 2000 and considered it a high point of his retirement. He was also a staunch Union Man and had many discussions with non believers. He spent many hours in his shop in the back yard doing woodwork, many of his models of SaskPower digger trucks are prized possessions of his friends. He also enjoyed fishing when he could get away and especially liked fishing on the North Saskatchewan River.

In 1993 he went on a health kick lost 40lbs, quit smoking, and started walking and exercising on a regular basis. As a result of the shock to his system he suffered a heart attack on July 1, 1995 and ended up having open heart surgery, 5 bypasses and a pacemaker. As part of the recovery he kept on having his walks every day. He liked to walk early in the morning sometimes 5 A.M. in the summer but usually it was between 6 – 7. He always kept a pocket full of dog biscuits to make friends with the dogs he met along the way. He was a firm believer in regular exercise plus proper diet to keep the body healthy and also the mind must be exercised and stretched to keep it sharp. After he retired he found his true calling when he was asked to play a part in the play “Brigadoon” put on by the Battlefords Community players. After the first play he discovered that he liked acting and better still that the audience liked him. So he went on to play many roles including a Scotsman, pervert, English lord, Judge, Ghost, Lawyer, Cowboy, Salesman, Janitor and Parrot to mention a few. He also acted in plays that were taken to provincial competitions, winning a best actor award in 1997 at Kindersley and another in 2000 at Kerrobert. He then wrote a short play “The Stranger” and the club entered it in the provincials competition at Moosimin in 2001 and won an award for best play. Needless to say he was very proud of these accomplishments. At the end he was content with his life as he had lived it. He had made some good lasting friendships. He had Discovered that it was the little things in life that counted. He was thankful he had a good mother, good siblings, a loving wife Janet, and children that never disappointed him.

Eric leaves to mourn his passing, wife Janet of 40 years, children Nathan (Debi) and their children Ira Lee, Kjelte and Cordell; Guy (Susan) and their children Sarah, Gillian, and Catherine; Joan (Ed) and their children Joel , and Ilse; Sisters Elizabeth Donaldson of Emo ON, Marion (Ralph) Poutanen of Thunder Bay ON, Brother-in-law Garry( Elly) Tulipan of Ottawa, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives. He is predeceased by his parents Axel and Ivah Anderson, brother Allan and brother William in infancy, brother-in-law Gale Donaldson, nephew Mark Donaldson.

A Memorial Service was held on Friday November 30th, 2012 from the Chapel of Sallows & McDonald – Wilson & Zehner Funeral home with Pastor Dan Glass officiating. Memorial contributions in Memory of Eric Anderson May be Made to the Heart & Stroke Association.

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Eric Anderson passed away on November 24th, 2012 at River Heights Lodge in North Battleford, at the age of 79. He was born on March 5th, 1933 to Axel and Ivah Anderson at Devlin, Ontario. He received his education in the Box Alder one room school house and Fort Frances High School.

Upon leaving school he worked for several years in the lumber camps of Northern Ontario. Eric came to Saskatchewan in 1952 expecting to stay for a couple of years but ended up staying for 60 years. He worked for SaskPower for almost 35 years, retiring on December 31, 1986.

After he retired he found his true calling as an amateur actor for various community theater groups winning a best actor award in 1997 at Kindersley, another in 2000 at Kerrobert, and another in Moosomin in 2001 when he won an award for best play that he had written himself.

Eric leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 40 years Janet; children Nathan (Debi) and their children Ira Lee, Kjelte and Cordell; Guy (Susan) and their children Sarah, Gillian, and Catherine; Joan (Ed) and their children Joel, and Ilse; sisters Elizabeth Donaldson of Emo ON, Marion (Ralph) Poutanen of Thunder Bay ON; brother-in-law Garry (Elly) Tulipan of Ottawa; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives. He is predeceased by his parents Axel and Ivah Anderson, brother Allan and brother William in infancy, brother-in-law Gale Donaldson, nephew Mark Donaldson.

A Memorial Service was held on Friday November 30th, 2012 from the Chapel of Sallows & McDonald – Wilson & Zehner Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Glass officiating. If friends so desire memorial donations may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan (279 - 3rd Ave N.Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 2H8).