Obituary of Charles Schofield

B I O G R A P H Y SCHOFIELD: Charles William Schofield passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at the University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 72 years. Charles is survived by: one son Stephen Schofield and his wife Debra and their children Chastity and Cody; one daughter Susan Schofield and her son Dane; one sister: Gladys and her husband Jim Drake; two brothers: John Schofield and his wife Joyce; Gordon Schofield and his wife Lorraine; sisters-in-law Helen Schofield, Dorothy and her husband Bill Niblock and brother-in-law Frank Maltby as well as numerous nieces nephews and cousins Charles was predeceased by his loving wife Mary on May 4, 2005. The memorial service for Charles was conducted from the Kitscoty Community Hall, Kitscoty, Alberta on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. A eulogy was given by Debra Schofield and a reading was given by Chastity Schofield. Special music “Amazing Grace,” and “Going Home,” were played on the bagpipes by Bill Cornfoot. The Hymn sung was “In The Garden,” accompanied on the organ by Donna Eyben. The Kitscoty Volunteer Fire Department held a Honor Guard. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy First off I need to thank Reverend Bob for wise words about writing a eulogy. Keep it short and sweet and then leave them wanting more. And so the story begins. Charles William Schofield was born in Castor, Alberta on December 3, 1933. John, Gordon and Gladys are his remaining siblings. Chap had many fond memories of growing up in Alliance on the family farm. All the kids worked hard doing chores. Of course the traditional stories always came up of long harsh winters walking or riding Dandy a half Clydesdale Thoroughbred horse two miles to school. So you can imagine the comfort level. But according to John he was a damn good horse. Uncle John says in 1943 he and Chap were in charge of bringing stooks in from the field. It was a bumper crop yield but flooding and an early winter meant a lot of digging in frozen ground. A weeks worth needed to be brought in for feeding cattle and horses. Quite a task for boys who were only 9 & 10 years old. Gordon’s memories of growing up along the Battle River Not the best farm land, but what a great place for boys to grow up. There was always some new place to explore. One of these fun adventures was swimming in the creek or river on a hot summer day. We were not supposed to go near the river. Mom said it was too deep and dangerous, but boys will be boys and we all learned how to swim quite well, much to Mom’s horror. Teenage years saw many summer evenings and weekends at the swimming hole at Spadys. With 40-50 kids and sometimes adults enjoying a cool dip. In winter there was always a hill for toboggans or skis or what ever would slide down the hill. Chap often worked for a neighbour, Charlie Archer, who was a cattle and horse buyer. Chap was always a very good rider, good with horses and cattle. We often moved herds of 70-80 cattle from the home place near town, across the river to a pasture six miles south. One of our favorite times was harvest, especially threshing. This was very hard work for teenage boys, but we always had a great crew (The Spadys, Harold and Tom,) (The Schofields, John, Chap, Keith and Myself), Don Dahl, Alfred Taylor, The Baltimores along with some others. We worked long hours (7am to 7pm), but when Saturday night came we all would meet at the hotel and have a couple of beers to wash down the harvest dust. Then it was off to Castor for the Saturday night Dance. Sometimes we would get home just in time to feed and harness the horses, then have some breakfast and out to work for the day. That would be a long day, sometimes with a bit of a headache (Don’t know why)! But time goes on, we all went our separate ways. Chap had more than his share of hardship. They lost their home in Hardisty and all their belongings to fire. Then Mary’s battle with MS for many years and now this Tragedy. Chap we hope you have better luck in your new life. Evidently Charles and Gladys argued as youngsters, that there mother threatened that she was going to hang them out on the clothes line. Anybody now who sees the closeness today would be astonished, most of all Grandma back them. Times could be tough and the decision made for Chap to go and find steady work, and as such his work ethics were born. There are many a tale, of kids growing up in a small community, where everybody knew all that was going on. Chap told us of not getting ID’d even though he was under age and his brother Ron who was of age was asked to leave. Many a story was told about those Schofield boys and that Chap was notoriously called the liquor store on wheels. Gordon and Chap took to hiding liquor behind telephone poles as Herbert and Annie were opposed to alcohol. Chaps travels took him up north, he regaled us of working on the Alaskan highway. His brother Ron and Keith Schofield also worked up north clearing brush for seismic lines. Hauling fish across Slave Lake and the bombardiers were carrying supplies when the ice cracked and many a load was lost. They walked cats through the muskeg for hundreds of miles. An old Fargo truck had the frame split in half due to atrocious terrain and Ron would re weld and off they’d go. In the summer Chap would arrive back home for road construction. His life truly began when he met Mary Hatton Boyd. Social dances brought out the masses. Chap pursued her and insisted they marry before she went back home to Ireland. Chap and Mary married on July 20, 1963. Nin months and seven days later Stephen Charles arrived. Susan arrived two years later at the homestead. The family moved around numerous times as Chap found employment as a truck driver and had numerous safe driving awards for working in the oil patch. He never had an accident. His life consisted of working at Hudson’s Bay, Dome, and Amoco. Needless to say they traveled parts of Alberta finally landing here at Kitscoty in 1980. Many a happy holiday was enjoyed traveling with tent trailer in tow attached along the Drake family. Mary and Chap ventured to Ireland to visit her family. The long trek to Long Pointe Lodge in Ontario to John and Joyce’s cabin was made. Family time was important. Unfortunately for Chap I arrived in 1984, to forever change their lives. I was quiet and timid, hard to believe now. The ice was broke over a drink. Trying to impress Chap I asked Chap what he was having? He said scotch, I said okay make mine the same. Big mistake, I pretended it was not lighting me on fire. Chap spent his life doing mechanics, proof in point Stephen’s 1979 Ford truck Hilda that spent countless hours in the garage Teak Alcorn could vouch that point also. Stephen borrowed his dad’s car for a trip to Jasper, in exchange, Chap got Hilda. At three miles to the gallon, tinted, loud exhaust, small steering wheel vehicle. Needless to say Chap took our truck to Alliance and was stopped by the police. You can imagine their surprise to see Chap driving this beast. Chastity was born in 1985, followed by Susan’s boy Dane in 1991 and our son Cody in 1992. The grandchildren were allowed to stay over whenever they asked. Eating and drinking in his vehicles was now a-okay. Chap was quiet, a listener, a story teller, a jack of all trades. He never imparted much until a heated debate on work, politics, or the latest current event. I knew when Chap said Bull Durham, you shut up and listened. Gladys was the youngest and when she needed help in the early years, Chap was the one she called. In January when he had bypass surgery, she said we will take him, get him up and going. That gesture will forever be remembered. Uncle Jim called Chap to come to Calgary to help soffit the house. According to Aunt Gladys they took too many breaks at Tim Horton’s or Rum and Coke’s. Of course Uncle Jim said he didn’t want them suffering from heat stroke. Believe me a fierce tile Rummy player Chap was, many a game brought out the egg timer. He played to win. Chap loved golfing, no fooling around as Cody and Dane found out. You definately didn’t golf happy Gilmore style. He loved curling, both in Kitscoty and Lloyd. His other passion was the Kitscoty Fire Department which he joined in 1988, as a Pumper Captain. He willingly took call on weekends for other volunteers. Stephen kept Chap running with fixing farm equipment or helping harvest. We even phoned Chap in Calgary to which Chap said, “What did you break now?” He knew Stephen had no patience and that he had better come quickly before he started wrecking it worse, or bringing out the guns to shoot it. Through the years Chap always said, suppose, could do, to many of our questions. Rarely a yes or no was said. Chap was blessed with many with many life long friends over the years, as evidenced here today. Life is too short for some and we witnessed you being brave, never complaining over burdens you carried, or the pain you were in. The nurse allowed a cell phone while you were in ICU to call Gladys to which we heard you say after the accident on November 20, “I didn’t do it, it’s not my fault.” Chap had humor, tons of stories, lots of love, compassion, to which the rest of us can only aspire to have. So Chap, your journey has just begun. Reading by Susan Schofield There are so many things I’m going to miss about you. To anyone who knew you, it was Charles, Chap, and sometimes even Chuck. But I had the privilege of calling you father. Firstly I’ll miss the mechanical inspections. My car was safe when you deemed it road worthy, you would disappear after supper and come in two hours later and say, “air in your front times is a little low,” or, “due for an oil change soon.” And God forbid anyone drive the truck. It was always, “I’ll drive.” That was your baby. I will miss the free meals, most definitely. You always knew just how I like my steak, all pink and the potatoes crispy. If I was invited to supper the first question was, “are you barbequing?” Followed by, “woo hoo,” from Dane. I will miss phoning to ask for a favor, you were my go to guy. It was a typical Schofield reply, “oh, I suppose, perhaps, or could do.” When there was something to be built, fixed, repaired you were there. I’ve lost count of the times you babysat, maybe I relied on you a little to much, but you made it so easy. And I think you liked to feel needed. I even roped you into my fundraising efforts at work, driving that old van around with poinsettia’s. And it wasn’t confined to your kids. If a neighbor, friend, or relative needed help you were off. Everyone always knew who to ask because you never said no. I felt fortunate that I had the kind of father who you could count on. You were never an overly affectionate man, perhaps a shoulder squeeze and always, “well take care of yourself.” I love you’s were hard for you. Still I never once doubted your love. And you were mellowing with age and our conversations. Even though they were often on subjects I knew little about; cars, farming, and the oil patch. You always had so many stories to tell. As a child I didn’t always want to listen. You were a man of few words, and hard to read at times, but would always speak up when you had something to say. I will miss your voice, and I will miss the little things that signaled your presence; the stash of peanuts by your lazy boy, the newspapers strewn about, the cup of coffee on the coaster, and the sudoku puzzle unfinished. Blame Aunt Gladys for that. You were a quiet simple man, living life on your own terms, unconcerned about how much you had or what others thought, but always with dignity and respect. You never set out to change the world, but you certainly made your corner of it a little brighter. I learnt a lot from you about the kind of a person I wanted to become, and am still struggling to be. And if my son becomes half the man his grandfather was, I’ll know I did something right. The hardest think I’ve ever done in my life was to let you go. It was not supposed to end like this. But I will take comfort knowing that Mom is waiting with her, “it’s about time, what took you so long?” I never told you how proud I was to be your daughter. But I do so now. I love you Dad, I always will. Susan Reading by Chastity Schofield I’m sure pretty much everyone in this room knew my grandfather as a plain, blunt and straight to the point man who said very little unless there was a point to be proven or he was in disagreement about a topic. I can tell you that I did get to see the other side of my grandfather; he was compassionate, caring, understanding, and very loving. Grandpa was one of those guys who put everyone ahead of him and was lucky if he even remembered himself. Point proven, he took care of Grandma all those years. It was tough but he did it, without one single complaint. Now that’s true love. At four years of age I can remember a trip to the lake with the family when our Jack Russel Terrier took a notion to chase a squirrel with me attached to the leash. Lets just say he won and I lost. I had skinned knees and arms, and Grandpa brought out his first aid kit and the fight was on between Dad and I. I wanted the pink ointment and Dad wouldn’t give it to me. So I screamed and cried till Grandpa said, “For God sake give her the pink.” Trips to the lakes were always so eventful with the family. I liked the water, but was terrified of it at the same time, especially when dad took me in the water. I swear he tried drowning me, some days I don’t really blame him. But with Grandpa it was fun and he always brought fun toys to play in the sand with, and that inflatable mattress that floated on the lake. And the bonus was he never tried drowning me. Childhood memories consisted of sitting on Grandpa’s knee blowing out birthday candles, ballet and piano recitals and sleeping in Grandma and Grandpa’s room on the floor on Christmas Eve. These memories I will treasure forever. I spent many weekends out in Kitscoty with Grandma and Grandpa. I got my whisker rubs and bear hugs everyday. In the mornings I always had my sunny side egg, bacon and toast waiting for me at the table. As a child Grandpa taught me all the card games I know from Solitaire to Crib, which was out time while Grandma was napping. I honestly don’t remember winning one single game. Grandpa played to win. I loved going up town with Grandpa to get the paper, but if he forgot me I would get even and eat only the almonds out of mixed nuts. In the summer I would throw tennis balls on the house where they proceeded to roll in the gutters and get stuck. Grandpa would even have to get the extension ladder and dig them out, but never complained. I can remember Cody doing the same thing once and man did Grandpa give him heck, but not me. The winters at Kitscoty consisted of Grandpa taking me to the playground on the weekends so I could go sledding. I’m not sure how he could sit there for many hours pushing me down the hill and then bringing my sled back up the hill for me. Going to the dentist I was blackmailed, if I sat well, Grandpa and Grandma would buy me a Barbie. Well tell me what kid wouldn’t behave then. Traveling with Grandpa and Grandma was a dream come true with the back seat packed with toys. The back seat of the truck would keep a kid amused for months. Believe me I never said a word in the truck the whole trip. Grandpa came to my grade 12 graduation, and my proudest moment was knowing that he was proud of me and was honored to dance with me. I knew Grandpa could never stay long with Grandma at home alone. But I cherished the time that I did get to spend with him. I can remember the many times that we got phone calls that Grandma was in the hospital. I swear each time that she was in the hospital it only got harder on Grandpa. It still amazes me at how dedicated to her he was. He never stopped loving her and he never stopped caring for her. When Grandma passed away I think part of Grandpa left too. I knew sooner or later that things would start to look up for Grandpa. Tim Horton’s was a passion of the Schofields a time to discuss what was going on in the family and just to be together. When Grandpa was in the hospital in Lloyd with his heart condition and they were running tests I took the afternoon off from work to go and see Grandpa, so I could have some alone time with him. That afternoon I honestly got to see the affectionate side of Grandpa. I told Grandpa I loved him and he even said it back. Usually Grandpa just says yup or okay. But that day things changed and I’ll cherish that day forever. When Grandpa went to Edmonton for his bypass I honestly couldn’t handle it. I was so scared, but I found out how resilient he really was. He is definitely a man of steel. Before I knew it he was back on his feet and going to Calgary to stay with Gladys and Jim. I just want to say thank you to Gladys and Jim for getting him back on his feet. I know it meant a lot to him and to you. He had lots of stories to tell us when he got back home. But honestly Gladys, we really needed him back because Dad was wrecking way too many things on the farm. Grandpa was a real trooper getting involved in my barrel racing, he was proud of me and believed that someday I would make it to the Calgary Stampede. I will miss my silent cheerleader forever. So this is where I say my final good-byes, I’ll never forget that smile of his and how it lights up a room. Those hugs of his could melt you in his arms. He is every granddaughters wish to find a guy like him, and every grandsons wish to grow up and be a man like him. My journey with Grandpa may have ended here, but there is a time and place where we will meet again and start a new chapter in our lives. Card of Thanks The family wishes to thank Tracy Ball for phoning Stephen from the accident site, the Kitscoty and Blackfoot Rescue Fire Department and the Lloydminster Ambulance Crew. Richard Bourqeouis for staying with Stephen at the hospital, the doctors and nurses who took care of Chap in Lloyd and the University Hospital. To all who brought food, cards, flowers and words of comfort . Lewis Young for setting up the Kitscoty Fire Departments salute for Chap. He would have been honored to have all of you present. Bill Cornfoot you were superb on bagpipes, Donna Eyben the organist, Reverend Bob Aldrich you kept us grounded when all was falling apart. Glenn McCaw - compassionate as always. Chastity, thanks for capturing your Grandpa’s spirit on paper. The Charles Schofield Families Donations in memory of Charles Schofield may be made to the Kitscoty Fire Department or to the University of Alberta Hospital.