Shaun Hume

Hume - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shaun Hume, late of Maidstone, SK on July 29, 2013 at the age of 59 years. Shaun was born on January 19, 1954 at Sheffield, England. Shaun will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 36 years, Cheryl; his daughter Chelsey (Neil Ward); son Lukas (Cassandra Skoretz); and his brother Adrian (Louise) Hume. He is predeceased by his parents Ainsley and Edith.

Eulogy for Anthony Shaun Hume

Thank you everyone for joining us today to celebrate Shaun’s life. His family and friends meant the world to him.

We can start from the end. Shaun was never one much for hospitals, doctors, procedures and illness. He left this world gracefully and peacefully on July 29th at 2:30 AM with his entire immediate family at his bedside. Just two months ago we learned of his fatal illness and Shaun, the man he was, did not want to sadden or burden his family with his suffering. He let go before the worst had begun, to save us from the heartache of illness, which would be exactly the way he would want it.

January 19, 1954 was the day it all began. Anthony Shaun Hume was born in Sheffield England, and came roaring into this world. Here for a good time but not a long time. The head nurse spoke up right away and said “leave this one alone”. She could tell right away that he was “bad to the bone”.

His parents, Edith and Paddy then moved to Canada when Shaun was just 16 months old, residing in Lloydminster for two years before moving to Maidstone where he then spent the rest of his life. The family was quickly adopted by the community of Maidstone.

In his younger years Shaun participated and excelled in a number of sports – be it baseball, football, hockey, fishing, he enjoyed being with his friends and having fun. Numerous summers were spent travelling and camping with the Smart family where he learned to appreciate and love the outdoors.

On a few occasions the boys would be doing “boy things” that Doreen (fondly known as Mom Smart), could write a book on. We would be remiss if we did not mention, besides Mom Smart, Shaun also had Mom Hazel Wilm. He had 3 moms to keep him and all the boys in line!

In Shaun’s high school years he developed a passion for football and hockey. Many times travelling with the Maidstone Huskies football team to provincial playoffs. That passion for football remained with him throughout his life and Rider football games became a priority. Getting together to watch the game with friends was always an exciting experience. Of course, winning was a good thing! When things went bad, Cheryl would often wonder if she should be moving objects that could be thrown away from his chair fearing for the TV.

We know for sure he will be watching the Rider game tonight with friends and family. We can almost hear him now, telling us to hurry up with this “boo hooing” at his memorial, and get ready for the game. He had many rituals before a Rider game would commence, which were both strict and strange. Let us not forget that green is the color and football is the game.

On June 4th 1977, Shaun married his high school sweetheart Cheryl Stewart. They have been together ever since. Chelsey came along in May of 1982, and Lukas in May of 1985. His family became his main focus and he believed in raising them in a small community where they could experience the small town atmosphere, friends helping friends, where everybody knows everybody.

Now although Shaun wasn’t big on the “baby years”….changing diapers and feedings; he treasured all the other joys that went along with being a parent. As the years flew by and the kids grew, he was either coaching their sports, or just present cheering on the ballgames, hockey games, and ringette. Although, ringette became Cheryl’s department, as he didn’t really consider ringette a sport.

Over the years Chelsey and Luke’s friends became Shaun’s friends too. When the kids left home, there is a void that all parents experience – you miss your children and you miss their friends as well. He missed all the comings and goings; the laughter and chatter. He was very proud of his children.

Shaun had many other interests and once persued a hobby in scuba diving. You could find him scouring the bottom of Turtle Lake and other surrounding lakes looking for the “big fish”, but often would come up with nothing more than some old pots and pans.

Reading was also another favorite pastime for Shaun, he was an avid reader. He would read nightly before bed, all kinds of books and novels of all sorts of tales and journeys. He was especially interested in history. Reading was strongly encouraged and a ritual in the Hume household.

Let’s not forget that Shaun was a passionate Harley Davidson motorcycle fan. When Chelsey first arrived it was time to get rid of some of the toys, but he dreamed of getting another motorcycle one day. Shaun’s love of motorcycles was passed on to Luke, as Luke is now a proud Harley owner.

As you will see in the slide show, Shaun had a love for animals – domestic or otherwise; having grown up with a minimum of one cat or dog in the house at any given time. Sometimes the pet population in the house might grow with a kitten, an owl, iguana, and a turtle, the latest being a mourning Dove that decided to spend the winter, and had a hard time dealing with the cold. “Falling out of the tree” in front of Shaun was the correct choice, as Shaun proceeded to nurse it back to health and care for it even after “Dora the Dove”, as he named it, lost its feet from frostbite. Shaun had a weakness for any animal mistreated, hurt, or abandoned. His heart was so big – and he would have sheltered all the lost and forgotten critters if only his house and yard were bigger. Shaun did not yet have grandchildren, but he did have grand pups!! He proudly named himself “Papa”, to his grand-pups Oliver and Ernie. He had a real connection and love of animals which he has passed on to his family.

Shaun worked for SaskTel as his career all of his life right up until his retirement in 2009. He retired with respect, and dignity after many years of service with the same company. When Shaun was done his work week, his weekends were spent engaging in any “fun” activity he could find. This included day long quading trips with family and close friends, and “Friday night shop nights” with all his dear friends that became a ritual in Shaun’s life.

Many years of weekends were spent at their cabin at South Bay, Turtle Lake with his family. Many, many memories were made at Turtle Lake, this was a favorite spot for Shaun. Both Chelsey and Luke spent their summer holidays there since early childhood. Shaun would be found out fishing in the boat with Adrian, Louise, Cheryl and friends, towing the kids behind the boat on the tube, taking friends and family water-skiing or knee boarding,…..but most of the time he was fishing, waiting for “the big one” to come along. He was definitely an avid fisherman! Let’s not forget the amazing fireworks he would set off every long weekend in the summer; saying “ooohhhhhh, and aaaaaaahhhhh” with each crack and boom. Shaun’s amazing display attracted all the neighbors to the beach to enjoy the show; he loved to see people enjoying themselves.

Cooking was also a passion of Shaun’s, he loved to fillet and fry up some good jack-fish, fresh from the lake. He enjoyed cooking for his family on holidays; Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Being the rebel that he was, sometimes he would break Christmas tradition and whip up a spicy jambalaya or salmon for Christmas dinner instead of a turkey. Every holiday spent with Shaun was anything but dull. Holidays were filled with humor, laughter, music and Shaun entertaining everyone with his incessant goofing around; joking and bugging everyone present. These are very precious and dear memories.

Shaun had a passion and love for music; calling himself “the old rocker”. His music taste ranged from classic rock, new rock, the blues, heavy metal, folk, classical, Mexican, and old Willie Nelson country songs; really the list went on and on. He also had a vinyl collection like no other – and would rifle through his records from time to time; remembering good times, good friends, and good memories. You would often find him dancing around the house with the music wildly cranked (disturbing his neighbors who were also his in-laws) with a big grin on his face. Or you would find him with his headphones on, deep in thought and reliving old memories. His love of music was instilled into his children from an early age, and is one of many traits they have in common. Shaun would enjoy talking about concerts, outdoor rock shows, and the up and coming bands hot on the scene, with his kids and their friends. You could find him at any concert of a favorite band.

A few years after the kids had left ‘the nest’, Shaun and Cheryl enjoyed vacationing in Mexico yearly with close friends; Bucerias near Peurto Vallarta was one of Shaun’s most favorite places. He thoroughly enjoyed the Mexican culture; feeling very comfortable and relaxed amongst the locals, and quickly made friends with them. Deep sea fishing, beach bumming, and mingling with the locals were his most favorite activities in Mexico. When Shaun wasn’t in Mexico, he sure as heck was talking and dreaming about Mexico!

There was never a dull moment in Shaun’s life. He lived, loved and laughed with all his heart. We are lucky to have shared it with him.

After a brief stay in the hospital; Shaun had had enough. He closed his eyes for good, and the pain went away; too soon for us, but his suffering was over. His heart may have stopped, but our hearts beat for him, and he will forever be there. He will remain forever young in our hearts and memories. We will cherish every thought and memory we have of him until we meet him again. His personality and humor will be greatly missed.

Rest in peace Shaun Hume, we love you.

To Dad

Dad, I can’t believe this day has come so soon. I think I am still in shock; expecting you to walk in and ask me if I remembered to change my damn oil in the car before I drove all the way home! But it is true, you are gone.

I wanted to tell you before you left, but we ran out of time, that I think you are the coolest man I have ever known, you really are. You were like a 20 year old stuck in a 59 year olds body. You had so much character and humor, living life the way you wanted. You truly were larger than life. You were also one of the most humble, caring, and kind person I have ever known. You would give the shirt off your back to help someone. Your arms were always wide open for me whenever I needed you, no matter what had happened. Thank you for that. I couldn’t have asked for a better Dad.

You had said just a few weeks ago that you were really worried about Mom after you die. I just want you to know that we will take care of her – she has weddings and grandchildren to look forward to. We may be a small family, but we are very close and very strong. We will help each other and be there for each other. I want you to know that I am proud to be your daughter, and I came from you. You left us too soon, but in another sense – right on time. I am happy for you that you didn’t have to suffer for very long. Wherever you are Dad; I hope you are ok, I hope you are having a good time.

Thank you for waiting for me to see you in the hospital before you died. Those last few hours I had to spend with you at your bedside before you passed mean the world to me. I feel so blessed and grateful to have been there during your last few breaths so I could give my love and good wishes. That was precious to me. I got to hold your hand during your weakest moments as you held mine right from my first baby steps to me crawling back home with a broken heart later in life. Thank you for waiting for me Dad.

If I am feeling sad and missing you so much, I know where I can find you. I will find you at our place at Turtle Lake. I will find you on the beaches in Mexico. I will find you when I listen to my music, and I will find you right here at home with Mom. I will also see your face in my dreams. This is how I can feel close to you again.

I miss you so much already. I think we take the time we have for granted, thinking, “oh I will see you next weekend,…next week,…next month,….at Christmas. Sometimes suddenly we don’t have time on our side. But that’s life I guess. It’s just like you said, “whatever will be will be”.

I will forever cherish the times we have spent together Dad. I love you. I will be with you again someday on the other side, please wait for me. Rest in peace my dearest Dad.

Love always, your daughter, Chelsey.

My father has died a young man…in my eyes, for I have only known him for 28 years.

Do we care less when one dies old?

Is it less tragic? Or do we just understand because they were given the time to live their whole life?

Shaun lived his life to the fullest damn near every day.

One of his biggest fears was being old.

Too old to live life to the fullest.

Of course there were many things he would have liked to experience.

He is at peace now. The pain is over.

He was ready, but we weren’t.

By dying young, in my eyes, he will stay young forever and in my memories.

So cheers Dad, I hope you and your old friends save a cold one for me when it’s my time to join you.

Luke

A Memorial Service to celebrate Shaun’s life was held at on Friday, August 9, 2013 from Maidstone Legion Hall with Reverend Ean Kasper officiating. The family have requested that memorial donations be made to the Lloydminster SPCA, PO Box 10566, Lloydminster, AB T9V 3A6.

Some are bound to die young

by dying young a person stays young

in people’s memory

If he burns brightly before he dies

His brightness shines for all time

Husband, father, brother and friend

My help mate, play mate, soul mate,

husband and best friend

The family has placed their trust with Kristeen Thiessen of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home, North Battleford. (306) 445-2418