Stanley H. Arksey passed away at Birchview Nursing Home in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2003.
He was born May 1, 1922 at Roconville, Sask. His younger years and schooling were spent at Tantallon, Sask. in the beautiful Quappelle Valley.
He finished school at the young age of 14 and worked as a farm hand in the area. In July, 1941, he enlisted in the Canadian Army with the 101st Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery.
He served in Canada, England, and was in action in France, Belgium and Holland. He was discharged with honours in January, 1946.
After discharge, he worked in the Moosomin area where he met and married his wife, Iris. Two sons were born in Moosomin, namely Donald, 1951, and Dennis, 1952.
In 1954 they moved to B.C. in the North Thompson area where he spent the next 40 years employed by the B.C. government as a foreman of the Department of Highways and for the last few years transferred to the Parks Branch where he operated the road grader. Two more children joined the family in B.C., a daughter Melodie 1959 and son Robert Stanley in 1961.
Stan loved the outdoors. He took great pride in their hobby farm in Birch Island, B.C. that he built up from bush country. He had his horses and a few cattle. Being a member of the riding club, he spent many a weekend on trail rides in the mountains and valleys.
He loved to have the grandchildren come and never tired of taking them for horseback rides or hitching the horse and going for a buggy and sleigh ride.
Stan’s heritage and roots were so important to him. Almost every holiday he took his family back to Saskatchewan where he spent time with Mike and Margaret Lowe (Stan’s second home), attended the Tantallon Fair and visited family and friends.
He was an active lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 259. He served as president for some time and very often was an executive in some capacity. Upon moving to Birch Hills, he transferred his membership but because if his illness was not able to take an active part. He was a charter member of CNT Lions Club in Clearwater, B.C.
After his retirement he returned to Saskatchewan and settled in Birch Hills. He was very happy with the move and got involved with senior carpet bowling and curling. He loved his family and was proud of their achievements and loved to spend time with them.
He was so loved and will be sadly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimers Society or the Birchview Auxiliary.
Survived by : wife of 53 years: Iris, Donald (Trudy), Dennis (Darlene), Melodie (Knute), Bob (Dawn); grandchildren: Chad (Crystal), Nicole (Damien), Colin (Wendy), Lorna, Scott, Kristi; two great-grandchildren: Preston, and Tyron; two brothers: Ken, and Donald (Myrtle); one sister: June (Eugene): predeceased by: parents Walter and Dora, parents in law Norman and Dora McCaskill, sisters Winnie, Doreen, and Joyce, and brothers: Eric and Dennis.