Obituary of Gerald Pike

Gerald Pike passed away in his home in Maidstone, Saskatchewan, with his loving family surrounding him, on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at the age of 88 years. Gerald will be greatly missed by his wife Lois; children: Randy Pike, Keith (Debbie) Pike, Kevin (Yvonne) Pike, and Melanie (Morris) Freeston; eight grandchildren: Brett (Val) Pike, Melissa (Shawn) Klisowsky, Serise Pike (Nelson De Almeida), Maxine (Jordi) Johner, Angie (Richard) Perkins, Tara (Jim) Pierce, Lanelle Freeston, Chandra (Bryan) Fischer; 15 great grandchildren and his brother Dennis (Jeanette) Pike; sisters: Maureen Bexson, Christine Pike; sisters-in-law: Helena Pike, Florence Pike; and many nieces and nephews. Gerald was predeceased by his brothers and sisters: Margaret Hickson, Ronald Pike, Alvin Pike, Joyce Lamont, and Eileen Lamont. The Funeral Service for Gerald was conducted from the Maidstone Legion Hall on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend Peter Yeung officiating. Black licorice, Gerald's favorite, was handed out to everyone present for them to enjoy as they watched a slideshow presentation, in celebration of Gerald's life. The Eulogy was read by grandson, Richard Perkins. The hymns sung were, We Plough The Fields And Scatter, In The Bulb There Is A Flower, and The Lord's My Shepherd accompanied by Eileen Evans on the piano. The Honorary Pallbearers were grandaughters: Melissa Klisowsky, Serise Pike, Maxine Johner, Angie Perkins, Tara Pierce, Lanelle Freeston, Chandra Fischer, Val Pike, and all those who shared in Gerald's life. The Active Pallbearers were grandsons: Brett Pike, Shawn Klisowsky, Nelson De Almeida, Jordi Johner, Richard Perkins, Jim Pierce, and Bryan Fischer. Eulogy My name is Richard Perkins and I married Angie, Gerald's grandaughter and Kevin's third daughter. When I first met the family I knew this family was special and also accepting. I first met the family at Lanelle's graduation, showed up as a city boy with earring and all … not sure what their first thoughts of me were! Now, 12 years later, I am still here, just lost my earring. One thing was evident from the start was that Gerald and Lois, fondly known to me as Grandad and Gran, were the center of this family's universe. Grandad was the powerful, strong type and although he was quiet, when he had a moment alone with you he always had a story to share. He liked to sit back and watch, taking in all that was going on. The family chose to write their Dad's eulogy and I have the honor to share it with you. Gerald Everard Pike was born in Lashburn on September 20th, 1923. He was the 5th of 9 children born to Everard and Winifred Pike. We were told by his youngest sister that he was the dare devil in the family…It was not unusual in those days when children made their own fun, to see them climbing on roofs, any roof (house, barn, hen house and so on), and living to tell the tale. Grandad slipped and fell off the barn roof breaking his collarbone. The aid of Bob Forrest, who owned one of the few cars, was obtained to take Grandad to the Dr. His collarbone was strapped and the arm put in a sling and Bob, Everard and Grandad returned home. Everard and Bob stood visiting, while Everard insisted Bob take money for the gas. Gas was so cheap then, but cash was very hard to come by. Everard saw a funny look on Bob's face and swung around to see Grandad again starting to climb up to get on the barn roof! Grandad couldn't flee far this time and his father caught him and gave him a good wack on the back side with a hane strap. Everard Pike was one of the first registered apiarists (bee keepers) in the province with 40 hives, quite a few for those days. Although he was rarely bothered by the bees, Everard took all precautions, tying his pant legs around the ankles and tying his sleeves at the wrist and wearing the hat and veil. He would also keep on hand, the bee smoker, which is a small box with a hand operated bellows and containing a few old oiled rags which were set on fire and left to smolder. Should the bees get angry the bellows would be pressed to release smoke to stupify the bees. Everard had taken the lid off the top hive to examine the bees, he thought he was alone but out of the corner of his eye, he saw a small white haired head. This white head belonged to Grandad who was trying to peer into the bees as they buzzed and buzzed in a warning manner. "I've come to help you with the big flies" he informed his father. Next thing he knew he was running for the house with his father in pursuit puffing the bee smoker to cover his son with smoke to protect him from the angry big flies. An interesting fact is that when Everard died at only 55, it was Grandad that took on the care of the bees from then on. Grandad's energy was channeled into more worthwhile things as he grew older. He had an inventive mind, whether in farm machinery, music, or work around the house. He had a photographic memory. One time, his mother was having trouble with the jar lifter, which was used when canning. The wooden handles were worn out. Grandad remembered that the branches of the elder bush are hollow and he cut two pieces of wood the right size and length and "voila" new handles. That was about 1950 and some 61 years later they are still in service. If you have a chance you can see the jar lifters on the memorabilia table. It was also Grandad who built the secret room in the house in which he was raised, but the location of that room is a secret to all. He turned into a great carpenter, although if he built anymore secret rooms he kept that a secret. Grandad attended Forest Bank School. I understand that this is where he first noticed a young Corker girl and I heard that he may have teased her in class when he sat behind her. Following his school days, his endeavors led him to Brantford, Ontario where he worked at the Cockshutt Manufacturing plant for a winter. Obviously, his interest or his heart was still back home because he returned home and married the love of his life, Lois Corker on August 19th, 1950. He had started custom grain hauling, which led him to the purchase and expansion of his farm. He hauled grain for many years, leaving home in the dark and returning in the dark. He worked very hard at this as he had to shovel the grain on and off the truck, as this was before augers and hoists. In the winter, as there were no block heaters, Grandad would put diesel fuel in cans under the truck and light them and he would then cover the engine with a tarp, making it the only way to start the truck early in the morning. Their first home was the Wilfred and Eva Tasker house, where they were very happy as they could wade into the slough, muskrats and all. The water was clear to the bottom. Because the house was so cold, their first winter was spent in Maidstone. Following the arrival of their first son Randy in 1951, they bought the Wilson farm, which was their life long homestead. In 1953, Keith joined the family and then only one year later Kevin arrived, causing Grandad to put his carpentry skills to work building bunk beds! The grain truck was the only vehicle that they owned and travelled everywhere with 3 little boys … one standing by the drivers door, one tucked behind the gear shift and one on Gran's knee. Melanie arrived in 1958, which led to more expansion in the house and the purchase of their first car. Perhaps you noticed in the slide show a picture of Grandad with all his kids riding on a Minneapolis Tractor. The roads were scant on gravel when they were growing up and they would have to park the car at the end of the driveway, and ride the rest of the way on the tractor to the yard. Farm life kept Grandad very busy, but he still found the time to coach the boys baseball, follow kids with music, 4H, numerous sports and school activities. Grandad was a fair man, and always up for the challenge for you to learn your own lesson, like when you come home at 3am and are put out on the rod weeder at 5am … funny how one would fall asleep on it and end up in the brush … right Uncle Keith? Grandad was very strategic about how he handled situations, when one came home late and stumbled over the TV trays lined up in the hallway you would hear a "hmmhmm" … you knew that he knew. But he always made time for the most important things in his life … his family. The love for his family never changed and only grew as the family started to welcome 2 daughters-in-law, Debbie and Yvonne and son-in-law, Morris. The grandchildren began coming in 1971 and from then on, he started a new chapter of following … Brett, Melissa, Serise, Maxine, Angie, Tara, Lanelle and Chandra, and he was proud of them all. The great grandchildren began arriving in 2002 and to date our count is at 15; Geralen, Ben, Josh, Braden, Taylor, Schylour, Xander, Lizelle, Delaney, Dominic, Olivia, Karyss, Kalenna, Noah and Zac. Holidays played a big role in the summer and they spent many wonderful trips in the school bus that Grandad converted into a camper. They traveled with Uncle Dennis, Auntie Jeanette and family to many places in Canada and the United States. With 7 children, there was always a competition on who got to sleep on the four bunks. There was lots of laughter and giggles until Grandad started snoring and then at that point they knew it was too late for them to get any sleep! Other memories began when Grandad and Gran bought a cabin at Loon Lake. There they spent many wonderful times with friends and family. Grandad would go fishing, but thought the best part of that was napping in the boat. There was lots of singing and fun games around the fire, walks for ice cream and the annual show put on by the grandchildren and cousins. Grandad's love of sports grew through his life. He enjoyed fastball, hockey, curling, broomball and bowling. He won the Senior A Fastball Provincials with the Maidstone Merchants in 1965. He also played with the Paynton Pats, Dry Gully and Forest Bank showing talent and enjoying the spirit of the game. He won a silver medal in 1995 in the Senior River Junction Games. He played on various provincial hockey teams and said he wasn't the best player of the bunch, but with the assistance of Ned Forrest, Ken Wesson and brother-in-law Ralph Corker on his team, he buried many a puck. Curling was an important sport in Grandad's life and he enjoyed this with friends and then later in life with his 3 sons. His regular team was Jack Cardiff, Ed Hope and Tommy Kitching and they attended many bonspiels and enjoyed the good times that came along with the game. His curling led him to the dominion curling with the Foresters in New Brunswick and Ontario. Grandad was an amazing bowler and I can recall one time when Grandad shot a score high enough that would take me 2 games to obtain … Who knew that one person could score a 413 in one game! After Grandad retired from his own sports, his drive for the team and spirit of the game led him to the plate at an Old Timer's Ball Tournament with his sons and numerous nephews. He was a spectator in the stands and when he knew that it meant an out for the team, being players short, he entered the game. At Old Timer's Ball this year, my first year, unfortunately Grandad was not healthy enough to attend. This was hard for Grandad and Gran as they have been strong supporters through the years, but this year using technology he was able to watch the game from his armchair as it was being played in Hudson Bay live from an Ipad; a very special moment for his family and myself. Grandad loved music. Gran started different groups through the years with family. The "Unpredictables" had Keith, Kevin, Ellen and Karen. Then came the "Reflections" which consisted of Melanie, Annelle Peterson, Cheryl Stewart and Lorainne Ratushniak. He would just sit back and close his eyes and listen. He had such an ear for harmony that he would always tell us if we were in tune or not. He sang with his brothers Ronald and Alvin while brother-in-law Ralph Corker played the piano. He also played the banjo, guitar, harmonica and had fun playing with the spoons. In later years, Grandad did find himself singing with the community choir. He was a community orientated man … belonging to the Waseca Hall Board, Legion, Foresters, and the board for the Maidstone Museum, where he played a big role in fund raising to get it started and maintained. He was involved with plays and skits finding himself in interesting roles, he was a good sport. Grandad had a passion for farming and in the beginning he started with his brothers. Ronald and Grandad continued to farm together for many years following. He was always ahead of his time, and open to all new methods of farming. Grandad successfully farmed up to last year. Last year we celebrated Thanksgiving supper in the bin yard and we all laughed how Grandad trapped a raccoon in one of the bins! He was always surprising us. Grandad was a huge supporter of his kids and all the life choices they made, whether being the purchase of more land and equipment or the starting up of a business. I know he was always proud of all his kids and their families. Grandad's last birthday was celebrated in the field, which was not an uncommon occurrence on the farm. Many meals and farm stories were shared in the field along with rides in the combine. Two years ago Keith and Brett were going to Manitoba to look at a semi. Grandad said he wanted to come along in case we found two units, which we did. When it came time to purchase the trucks, Grandad insisted on buying one. When the purchase was complete the salesman asked "How old Grandad was." He informed him that he was 86 years old. The salesman didn't realize Grandad was that old and stated that Grandad was the oldest person by quite a few years that they had sold a semi to. Grandad then asked "How long do these trucks last?" The salesman informed us that with farm use they should be good for at least 10 years. Grandad then stood up and shook the salesman's hand and stated "We'll see you in 10 years then!" Grandad and Gran celebrated their 61st Wedding Anniversary last August with a family BBQ. Every anniversary was a special one, and the family never let one go unnoticed. They loved to dance and proved this by sharing a special dance for every milestone anniversary. Grandad and Gran took many trips together including bus trips, trips to Arizona, Hawaii and trips with each of their children and their families. They loved to travel. They both took a Chinese food cooking class together which led Grandad to 25 years of cooking for the Keranda Christmas Party. A special request got him back to cooking again on the 30th Anniversary of Keranda. Also, Grandad started having pit roasts, a technique he learned from Uncle Bill (Lamont), which was a hole he dug in the ground, placed a fire in and stoked all night long to cook the meat. A family treat, and one we enjoyed on Grandads 85th birthday. Grandad was loved by us all and we will never forget his quick wit, dry humor that always popped up at the best times. We all remember Grandad on a cold day in his shorts and in one of his 3 favorite shirts. He loved his Sass shoes that had the velcro fasteners. He loved how comfortable they were and how he could just slip into them and not do them up. Grandad loved Christmas and was one of the first in Forest Bank to put up lights. He has always had a passion for old tractors and recently started his own collection. He was always chatting about his Dad's tractor that he'd had the priviledge to drive in the Lloydminster Museum Parade. Just less than a month ago, Grandad went with his family and picked up the last of his collection, an 1836 Hart Parr … a proud moment for him and very special for his family. Grandad was an amazing man and has left an incredible legacy in his family. I am truly honored to have been able to share with you his story and some memories. Not many chances in life do you get to marry into a family like this. I would like to end this tribute with a poem the family has chosen. Remember him with a smile today. He was not one for tears, Reflect instead on memories of all the happy years. Recall to mind the way he spoke, And all the things he said, His strength and love of family, Remember these instead. The good advice he'd give us, His eyes that shone with laughter, So much of him will never die, But live on ever after. As we loved you, so we miss you, In our memory you are near, Loved, remembered, longed for always, Bringing back many a silent tear. Please take time today to cherish and reflect on the memories you have with our special Grandad. Remember him with a smile today. The interment for Gerald, was held in the Forest Bank Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the arrangements. Card of Thanks The Family would like to give special thanks to everyone for the visits, flowers, food, calls, cards, and to those who gave donations in Gerald's memory. Thank you to Dr. Stander for your compassion and understanding. Thank you to Reverend Peter Yeung, pianist Eileen Evans, and to Richard Perkins for delivering the Eulogy. Also thank you to the Grandchildren for being pall bearers, and of course to the caring people of McCaw's Funeral Home. You all made a very difficult time in our lives more bearable. Lois Randy Keith & Debbie Kevin & Yvonne Melanie & Morris Grandchildren: Brett (Val), Serise (Nelson), Tara (Jim) Melissa (Shaun), Maxine (Jordi), Angie (Richard) Lanelle, Chandra (Brian) 15 Great Grandchildren Numerous Nieces and Nephews Donations can be made to the St. Paul's Anglican Forest Bank Church or Charity of Choice