Obituary of John Staniforth

STANIFORTH: John George ( Jack) of Lashburn, Sask passed away Sept 16, 2008 at the Lloydminster Hospital at the age of 86 yrs. Jack is survived by his loving wife Doreen of Lashburn and his children; Barb (Glenn Thompson) of Calgary, their children Chad (Rhonda and son Jack), Brady (Michelle), Jill (Joey and children Julia, Judson, Jett & Jaggar); Doug (Verna) of Lashburn, their children Trina (Clint and sons Gage and Koen), Kent (Laurie) and Kent's children Morgan, Kassady and Devyn; Howard (Alice) of Lloyd, Howie's children Jennifer (Rob and sons Caius, Maxim, and Rohan), Marty, and Christine (Lane and son Elias) and Alice's children Serena (Des and daughters Paige and Hanna) and Dylan (Tamarah and sons Ashton and Parker); Ken (Deb) of Okotoks and their children Amanda (Nic), Bob and Brett; Brenda (Jolayne Anderson) of Cochran, and Shirley (Lonny Byford) of Lashburn Shirley's children Rachelle, Daniel and Stephanie and Lonny's children Curtis (Sarah and sons Jayce and Mason) and Kelly (Dana and daughter Belle); and 3 sister-in-laws and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Jack was predeceased by his parents, 2 brothers Dave & Syd, one sister-in-law, and 2 nephews. Jack was born June 28, 1922 in Esther, Alberta to David (D.A.) and Ethel Staniforth. At the age of 5, Jack and his family moved to Lashburn where he and his 2 brothers attended school and helped on the farm. January of 1945 ended a 2-year stint in the forces and in December of 1945 Jack and Doreen (Sanderson) were united in marriage. In November of 1946, land was purchased and the J.G. Staniforth family story began. Six children were born into the family between the years 1946 and 1962. Jack and Doreen loved to entertain and they loved to attend social functions, whether it was sports days, card games with the neighbors, or community dances. Many will remember Jack's enthusiasm and great interest of sports; especially hockey, curling, ball, golf, and bowling. This love of sports has been passed down to many family members. Although Jack was a talented athlete, he was also very well read—and a gifted writer; another trait which has been passed on. Farming, family, and fun were a huge part of Jack's life, but he was also a very active member of the community, and he always found a way to help anyone in need whether it be family, friends, or even complete strangers. Jack was a husband, a father, a Grandfather, and a Great Grandfather. He was a farmer, a gardener, an athlete, and a joke-teller. He was a friend!Many great life lessons have been incorporated into the every day lives of all who knew him. There was definitely a reason why John George Staniforth was on this earth. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed. Eulogy John George Staniforth, better know by all as Jack was born on June 28, 1922 in Esther Alberta……..yes that is right, Dad was born in Alberta. He never liked to admit the fact that HE was an Albertan and in fact we are probably being frowned at right now for mentioning it. Dad will be remembered by many AND for many different things. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. He was a farmer, a gardener, a ball player, a golfer, a curler and a Legion member. He loved to tell jokes and was skilled at any and all kinds of word puzzles. He also was a self proclaimed expert AND critique of any topic you cared or dared to discuss. A small man by stature, soft spoken - most times - humble, yet very profound. He was an honest and caring person and taught each of us the importance of those traits. He was a perfectionist, expecting no more of others than what he demanded of himself. We would like to share with you some of our memories of Dad, and share some stories that may involve some of you and perhaps as we share our stories you will remember some of your own. If it seems we are rambling a bit - we are. Dad and Mom were married in December of 1945 and just a couple of years ago celebrated 60 years of marriage. See the standards that he set for us. How do you compete with that. Some of the things we remember about Mom and Dad are that they loved to entertain and they loved to attend social functions. Whether it was at a local sports day where Dad was no doubt playing ball or at a neighbors playing cards. Speaking of cards, Dad taught us all how to play crib - and good thing we had luck on our side because he reminded us often that we were lucky and HE had the skill. We remember Mom and Dad dancing at many functions at the hall and Dad was very adamant that HE was taller than Mom……it must just be her high heel shoes that makes her look taller. You may have seen a picture of them dancing in the slide show so you be the judge. Don't ask us how but Dad managed to support a family of eight on what many would consider a small farm. Although we all agree there were things we maybe would have liked and didn't get, not one of us "wanted" for anything we really needed. There were the cows, often some pigs, chickens and of course a huge garden. Did you ever see Dad's garden? Did you check out the rows? So straight they would make a surveyor jealous. Whether it was the carrots in the small garden or the potatoes and peas by the acre in the field, he made sure that the rows were straight as an arrow. Made those potatoes easier to weed that first time or two - you knew exactly how far apart they were and they WERE in a row. I don't think there is one of us kids, or even a grand kid that didn't get in on some part of the garden process at the farm. Everyone remembers the tubs of peas that need shelling or the rows of potatoes to rub clean and bag. Even right up until Mom and Dad moved into town, Dad still had a garden big enough to feed half the family. Blanching, freezing, canning……when did you have time to sleep Mom? And in providing for his family, he still always managed to help family, friends and even complete strangers when ever in need. We couldn't even begin to mention all the times he helped out one of the family - but he was his parents care giver in their later years, taking care of their needs. Others that come to mind are the family who's trailer broke down and Mom and Dad took them in till they could repair the trailer and continue on their trip, or the 2 young girls with car problems and had no where to stay, or the squatter in Les' shack across the road who was the recipient of a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs. Dad often delivered potatoes or raspberries or some other garden produce to the café or to elderly people in town, or he and Mom would go to town to play cards with those who maybe couldn't go out. When asked recently about all these stories Dad simply said "well isn't that what you are to do for your fellow citizens?" Dad's family was a very big part of his life but he was also an active member of the community and was involved in many organizations in the Lashburn area. He belonged to the Kinsmen and K-40 clubs, was actively involved with the Legion for many years, was a member and 1st chairman of the Tighnduin Home committee, belonged to the Lashburn Fire Department, belonged to the bowling alley committee, and was a member of the Bluebirds executive. Dad was pretty low key about his involvement, infact some of his own family just learned of some of his community involvement over the past few days. Just as Dad never expected praise and recognition for what he did, he wasn't always very generous when giving other's praise. He might tell you that you curled a good game, in a round about way but he would also want to discuss the options you had in that 5th end. Or maybe tell you that you played a good game by commenting on one particular play. As numerous family members excelled at sports, academics, or business, we always knew Dad was proud of our accomplishments - even if we heard it from someone else that he was bragging about his crew. Dad was also an excellent athlete. In the summer Dad played ball and was on almost every team in the area at one time or another - he was a much sought after player, a pitcher, but would often say he just knew the right people - they liked him and that's how he got on the team…… had nothing to do with his talent….sounds somewhat like someone else in the family. See how he passed on his traits. As we were growing up we remember that often we had to shell peas or weed potatoes or some other job before going off to a ball tournament or something and that is the way it was with Dad. As important as our sports were, chores had to be done first - at least most of the time….Mom tells the story of how Dad was going to go to a sports day and his Dad - Grampa Staniforth - said that he needed to finish seeding the oats first. Dad said if the oats can't wait 1 more day well too bad and off to the sports day he went. Yet another time he worked all night long…just so he could go play ball the next day - on no sleep. He loved his sports and even when he didn't play ball anymore he was often seen at the arena or the ball park watching and supporting one of his kids or grandkids. Golf became a big part of Dad's summer life, especially after he was no longer playing ball himself. Again Dad's honesty shone through here. Like Doug often says "if you are golfing all by yourself and you come up just that ½ inch short on the putt, you still count EVERY stroke - even if no one is there to know. Now Dad was not the most patient man around, especially when it came to slow golfers. "If I am way over on this side of the fairway and you are way over on that side, WHY would I wait for you to shoot if I am ready first, even if I am a few yards ahead of you?" Even one of the last times Dad rode around the course - just for the ride and not to play - he commented "slowest round I have had in a long time." Speaking of slow rounds of golf, did you hear the one about the golfer who went for a round of golf and got home late? He was in trouble with his wife - she wanted to know what took him so long. He said that he had golfed with this beautiful young woman and they had a great time together and after golf they had a drink together and before you knew it they were at her place and well one thing led to another and I am so sorry……….his wife looked at him and said don't lie to me you went 2 rounds didn't you……one of Dad's favorites. In the winter, Dad curled. When he and Mom were first married and lived on the "Rancho" he would walk to town to curl in a bonspiel. One such time someone stopped to see where he was going at 6 in the morning. He said to town to curl. They said are you crazy man, it's 40 below out. No problem, Dad had his rubber boots on like always. Later in life, Dad was the caretaker and head commentator at the curling rink, you may have seen him there. If he wasn't taking care of the ice he was often in the stands watching what ever game was being played - of course critiquing the action. Need an ice maker or ice cleaner, someone to pebble the ice, or maybe a coach - here we are, all trained and ready. Or maybe you need one more player for that smear game - we all learned that there too. Although Dad was a talented athlete, he was also very well read, an expert word puzzle solver - we were going to put a word puzzle on the memorial card and make everyone solve his life story - and a gifted writer. Dad often said that if he hadn't farmed that he thought he may have been a writer. Well he was a writer. If you were ever lucky enough to hear one of his many poems, receive one of his letters, or maybe just read something he had written, you will know what I mean. At many special occasions for family or friends, there was often a poem from Dad or Grampa, or Uncle Jack. This is also a trait he passed on as more than one of his kids and several of his grandkids have some of those same talents. Sorry Dad, had we been better prepared we may have been able to put your tribute into verse. Oh what the heck, how about 1 little limerick. There once was a Lashburn man He had in mind this plan With wife Do The family we'll grow And thus the Staniforth clan Dad did love his limericks but we decided not to share them with you today……. Dad was also a teacher, again something else that seems to have passed on to several of the family. He didn't have his teaching degree but he didn't need it. As we mentioned, he taught us all to play crib - what's taking you so long to count your hand. He taught us skills, rules and etiquette to several sports - ball - golf - curling - hockey, and of course he taught us the importance of a good garden with straight rows. But he also taught us numerous life long lessons… like the importance of family values how important good neighbors are - like the Coolidges or how to lay and listen to rain drops on the roof - just because you can to save up and not eat too much during the day if you were going to the neighbors for supper - especially if it was Uncle Keith's how to drive the little ford tractor or maybe the combine not to buy new shoes until your old ones were worn out - I think a couple of your granddaughters missed that lesson Dad. He taught us how important a smile was and that you should always carry one in your pocket that a pocket full of change came in handy - just so you could jingle it how to listen to a conversation while tapping your fingers - together or on the table. As we sat around and reminisced about all of these lessons it became very evident that some of us were good pupils and have learned well as we all have some of Dad's traits. Thanks for the learnings Dad. One of Dad's favorite sayings was always posted near the door at home………….. "All visitors bring happiness, some by coming and some by going" Today, Dad thanks you all for coming……….. CARD OF THANKS The Staniforth family would like to thank Dr. Fourie and the 3rd floor staff of the Lloydminster hospital for their kind and compassionate care. Thank you to Don Retzlaff for conducting a service to celebrate Jack in such a personal way. Thanks to Jo Klassen and to the choir for their musical leadership, and to the United Church Ladies for the wonderful lunch. We also wish to thank everyone for the cards, flowers, phone calls, food, and donations made in memory of Jack. Your thoughtfulness has meant so much to each of us. Our family also gratefully acknowledges the professional care, compassion, and guidance given by the staff of McCaw Funeral Services. Donations in memory of Jack may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a charity of the donors choice.