Obituary of James Carruthers

BIOGRAPHY CARRUTHERS ~ James Stuart Carruthers passed away peacefully in the Pine Island Lodge, Maidstone, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at the age of 88 years. Stuart will be sadly missed by his wife of 63 years, Mildred; three daughters: Beverley and Garry Hall, Rheanne and John Rowson, Bobi and Bob James; ten grandchildren: Brian Hall and Helen Mayes, Cathy and Darren Sakowsky, Barbara and Chad Geran, Bill Rowson, Jean and Ernesto Ruiz, Lloyd and Heather Rowson, Erin James, Kendra and Jordan Rowsell, Jackie James and Carrie James; six great grandchildren: Benneit and Sacha Hall, Broedy and Antheia Sakowsky, Brin Geran and Oliver Ruiz as well as numerous other relatives. The funeral service was conducted from the Lashburn Community Hall, Lashburn, Saskatchewan on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Lorna Brick officiating. The eulogy was read by John Rowson. The hymns sung were “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross” accompanied on the organ by Irene Knowlson. The Lashburn Community Choir was in attendance. The recessional was played by John and Bill Rowson. A Masonic Honor Guard was present. The Legion did an Act Of Remembrance. The honorary pallbearers were Stuart’s granddaughters: Cathy Sakowsky, Barb Geran, Jean Ruiz, Erin James, Kendra Rowswell, Jackie James, Carrie James, Helen Mayes and Heather Rowson. The active pallbearers were Stuart’s grandsons: Brian Hall, Lloyd Rowson, Darren Sakowsky, Chad Geran, Ernesto Ruiz and Jordan Rowswell. The interment was held in the Lashburn Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of James Stuart Carruthers. There are certainly some in this gathering who knew him much longer than I, as he was born, raised and lived his entire life in this community. It was 1973, when I first met Stuart. At that point in his life, he had been mayor of the town of Lashburn for several years and was a long standing successful businessman in the community. Perhaps he was at the pinnacle of life’s aspirations at this time. It was with obvious pride that he provided the introductory tour of Lashburn for me. Stuart portrayed contentment with life, family; lived in the best of possible places and lacked for nothing. An enviable but difficult position to achieve in life. These initial impressions of Stuart, as a man, held true over the course of time. As are we all, Stuart’s character was shaped by life’s cumulative experiences. He was born in 1923, in the family home, just a block east of this hall. Being the youngest of nine siblings no doubt influenced Stuart’s character and the man he was to become in his formidable years. Stuart graduated from the old two-room high school in 1941. He attended university in 1942, a rather rare event in the 1930's and ‘40's. For the rest of his life, he maintained an interest in things scientific or technical and generally applied an analytical approach to problems and their solutions. During this time, the world was engulfed by the Second World War and Stuart enlisted in the RCAF. He spent his enlisted time in England, as an instrument technician supporting Lancaster squadron in Bomber Command. When the war was over, he returned to Lashburn never to leave again. The local community provided his livelihood through the support of Carruthers Garage until he retired in 1989. In 1948, Stuart married his life long partner, Mildred McLaren and moved into their new home in 1950 where they raised three wonderful daughters. While the community supported Stuart’s livelihood, he in turn took an active part in community affairs: president of the Kinsmen Club when the arena was built, on the church board when the present United Church was build in 1964, joined the Masonic Lodge in 1950, and spent 18 years on the Lashburn town council. The last 14 years as mayor, during which much of the infrastructure enjoyed today was constructed. In the summer of 2008, Stuart and Millie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with the family and community in this hall. Stuart was a good, honest man who did his best to support his family. In subsequent years, he became immensely proud of his family, particularly as the grandchildren began to accumulate. He was the source of endless support for all their activities. He impacted their lives and they in turn loved him for the true warmth and caring in his heart. True to himself, his family and his community, Stuart lived a balanced and disciplined life that taught by example. Let us celebrate the life of James Stuart Carruthers as one of fulfillment and contentment, much loved by his family and respected by his community. CARD OF THANKS Mildred Carruthers and family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Pine Island Lodge for their compassionate care of Stuart for the past 15 months. We would like to thank Reverend Lorna Brick for officiating, Irene Knowlson and community choir for their gift of music, the Lashburn ladies for organizing and serving the lunch. A special thank you to the Lashburn Legion for the Act of Remembrance and to the Masonic Lodge for the Honor Guard. We would like to thank the community for cards, flowers and donations received in memory of Stuart. Donations in memory of Stuart may be made to the Pine Island Lodge or to the charity of the donors choice.