Obituary of Calvin Oswell

Calvin Oswell passed away in the Lloydminster Hospital on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the age of 59 years. Calvin leaves to mourn his passing: his children: Cheryl (James)Mckechnie, Les Oswell, Ben Oswell and Michelle Oswell; siblings: Earl (Connie) Oswell, Kathy (Doug) Kennedy, Diane (Dennis) Harrison, Marliyn (Carson) Baldwin, Darwin (Shelley) Oswell, Lionel (Deb) Oswell and Jennifer Daes and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations in memory of Calvin may be made to Donors charity of choice. ELOGY Calvin Lee Oswell, born March 31, 1957, (59) years. He was the 5th of 8 children, of Walter and Marjorie Oswell, predeceased by brother, Walter and sister, Lois. Being born in March, in Paradise Hill, the river was too dangerous to cross, so Marj had to take him across the river on the ferry cable car, which was a horrifying experience. Nurses in Paradise Hill cautioned Marj: "you better not drop that little Ozzie baby in the river.” Ca1lvin’s start in life was full of adventures. As a small boy in the family home, he fell over the living room balcony, just missing the neighbor, Vera Lunt, who was visiting. As a youngster, he wanted to ride on the handle bars of his sister Dianne's bike. He fell off the handle bars and broke his arm. Dianne, unware of the break, told him not to cry too loud, in case she would be in trouble. However, Mom was close by to recognize this was not a bruise, but something more serious, with Calvin having a cast put on, in Paradise Hill. Calvin grew up in Tangleflags, attending Hillmond Central School, where he made many friends. Calvin, as a young person, was generous with possessions, sharing with his siblings. Calvin finished high school, graduating in 1975. At an early age, Calvin had a keen interest in horses. One of his horses was "Dice." Calvin and me did some horse trading over the years. I ended up with "Gus," a horse he had trained, which was the best horse I have ever had owned. As he grew up, he carried on his interest in horses, outriding for Stuart Napper on the chucks for several years. In the last year of the chuck circuit they went to the Oklahoma Finals. He continued his adventures in the horse arena by trying his hand at bronc riding. Calvin realized that his dream to farm/ranch needed some support from outside sources, so he took up the welding trade and received his ticket in welding, where he welded for several years at Universal Industries, in Lloydminster. Calvin enjoyed sports such as coaching and playing hockey and gymkhanas. Calvin married Donna Galbraith in 1981, and over the years, they had four children: Cheryl, Leslie, Ben, and Michelle. Moving from Lloydminster in 1994, they moved out to near the farm that he was raised on, in Tangleflags. They built a house on the quarter across the way, and he farmed with his Dad for many years. Calvin enjoyed cattle, especially at calving time, and he loved cattle drives. To support his cow operation, he had land at Mudie Lake for pasturing cattle. He would many times make this a family event, taking the family along to check cows. A highlight of his life was to go on a trail ride with Donna, Cheryl, and Les, as well as Brian, Brenda, and Aleesha Cook, as well as Uncle Wes. Calvin, in later years, went through a critical bout in hospital, in Saskatoon, from which he eventually ended up on oxygen air support system, to support his breathing. He ended up in Points West for several years. Calvin enjoyed visiting and coffeeing. He liked to be a part of social gatherings.