Walter Roy Stanford

STANFORD, Walter (Dad) passed away at the age of 98 on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at RUH two weeks short of his 99th birthday. He was born on June 2, 1924 to Isobel and Harry Stanford on the farm at Zelma. He is survived by his sons, Daryl (Marion) and Jim, and his daughter, Karen. He is predeceased by his wife, June, son, Doug, daughter, Patti, his mother and father, Isobel and Harry, brothers, Dale, Harold, Mel, Ray, and his sister, Helen.

In his extended family, he is survived by his grandchildren through Darryl: Scott (Amanda) (and their children: Jaxson, Karter, and Jersey), Clayton (Candace) (and their children: Emrie, and Chase) and Jodie (and her children: Ellie and Barrett); his grandchildren through Karen (Des): Evan (Heather) (and their children: Violet, Cadence (Sam), and Reid) and Ashley (Roman); his grandchildren through Jim: Jordan (Jen) (and their children: Rowan and Kaliah); his grandchildren through Patti (Rick) (and their children: Jeff, Becky (Tom), Sarah).

Dad grew up with his 4 brothers, Dale, Harold, Mel, Ray and one sister, Helen. He went to school at Stonemount until Grade 9. When the war broke out, he stayed home to help his dad on the farm. At a dance in Bradwell, he met June Leopold and they married on November 8, 1952 and farmed in the Zelma District until they moved to their new home in Saskatoon in 1978. Farming was in his blood, and he continued to help his son, Jim, farm the family land until his hearing got so bad that he was unable to continue. Walter and June always planted a huge garden that could feed a small army, and in the winter, you could find the Stanford family at the rink where we watched many, many hockey games. Walter helped coach Daryl’s hockey team, even though he never played hockey himself.

Walter joined a bowling league soon after moving to Saskatoon, and it turns out he was really good at it. He won many league awards and enjoyed the companionship and friendships made over the years. He bowled until he was 95 and his daughter, Karen, bowled on his team for a couple of years.

Walter’s favorite things to do in the past few years was to go for tea and play Kings in the Corner or go for a drive. On his last outing, we took him for a drive to Martensville and Warman followed by a soft ice cream cone at McDonalds.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, May 25 at 1:00 pm at Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Chapel, 915 Acadia Drive. Walter will be cremated and buried beside June and Doug in the Zelma Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the care workers at the Silvergrove PCH for their wonderful care and to the Village Rose caregivers for their companionship. Arrangement in care of Mourning Glory-Acadia McKague’s Funeral Chapel (306)955-1600.