Dale Thompson

It is with great sadness that we must announce the early morning passing of Dale Raymond Thompson, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, January 21, 2018.

Being born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, on December 17, 1946, the challenges of Dale's hard life started very early, in the form of the debilitating eye disease of glaucoma, leading his parents to send him to a school in Brantford, Ontario at a very young age. It was at this specialized school though, that Dale learned the difficult art of reading braille, but, consequently, was therefore unable to return to his new home in Regina, on a permanent basis, until he was eight years old. Determined not to let these added struggles stop him, Dale worked hard to complete his education, and after entering into the labour force through different ventures, he moved to North Battleford to work at its only hospital. It was only after years of dedicated labour there, that Dale decided to move to Saskatoon, where he met his partner of 19 years, Linda, and therefore settled his rambling life, to work as a general labourer until he retired.

During his 71 years, Dale had been a man that loved to experience "doing things." This characteristic founded Dale to be: a talented tinkerer in wood work; an avid square dancer and harmonica player; an enthusiastic, licensed short-wave ham radio operator; a crafts hobbyist; a small engine repairer; and a determined AMWAY representative; always seeming to enjoy the human interaction that all these different endeavours gave him. It was this love for life that enabled a near-blind Dale to remain active to the very end, as his life closed with him courageously fighting a two year battle with lung Cancer. As his manner was though, Dale was not even going to let the Cancer be the actual winner, but unfortunate complications instead. It was only after being admitted into the Royal University Hospital, for having suffered a paralyzing stroke while at home, that Dale took his last breath, and finally stepped before his Creator.

He will be missed.

Dale was predeceased by his father Clarence, mother Delia, stepmother Dora, and six of his ten siblings; Wayne, Marguerite, Doris, Merle, Brian, and Sharon. He has left behind; his daughter Juanita, his partner Linda Hrabal, sister Fay of Regina and Glenn of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and brothers Murray and Allan of Brandon, Manitoba, as well as 21 nieces and nephews. 

We would like to send a special thanks to the staff at RUH, as well as the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic for their care and compassion in Dale's last few years. Truly, it did not go unnoticed.

A Celebration of Dale's Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Mayfair United Church, located at 902-33rd St. W., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In lieu of flowers, please make a generous donation to the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic in memory of Dale Thompson. Funeral arrangements in care of Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.