Obituary of Albert (Bert) Colby

It is with great sorrow that the family of Albert (Bert) John Colby announces his sudden passing on February 11, 2008 at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon after a hear attack. Bert was born in Imperial, SK on August 15, 1920, the youngest of nine children to Margaret and William Colby. In the fall of 1943, he met Viola McKnight in Big River. They were married in March of 1944 in Saskatoon. They moved to Big River and Audrey was born there. Then, they moved back to Saskatoon and Darlene was born there. Bert and Viola remained there for 37 years. Bert retired after 35 years of working for the City of Saskatoon. He was a general maintenance man for the Saskatoon City Hospital for 2 years and at the City Yard and Pollution Plant for 33 years. In June of 1982, they moved back to Big River to be closer to their children and grand children. Bert is lovingly remembered by his children Audrey (Wendell) Hiltz of Big River, SK and Darlene (Randy) Bradley of Big River, SK; his grandchildren Kelly (Kathy) Hiltz and their children Cordelle, James, Desiree, Jordann & Micheal of Big River, SK; Kim (Cory) Hodgson and their children Caitlin & Micheal of Big River, SK; Tanya Hiltz (Darryl Arcand) and her children Waylon, Lauran & Mackenzie of Big River, SK; Tracy (Lawrence) Doucette and their children Levi & Quinton of Big River, SK; Melanie (Jonathan) Baynes of Spiritwood, SK; his sisters in-law Marjorie Skopyk & Grace Colby of Big River, SK; his brother in-law Bill McKnight of Big River, SK, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Viola Colby; his parents William & Margaret; his brothers & sisters Rolland (Katherine); Leonard; Carl; Elverson (Irene); Nelson; Emerson; Denalda (Alf) Borolien; and Mary (Louis) Lamberton; sisters-in-law Beryl McKnight, Peg McKnight; brothers-in-law Sam McKnight, Cliff Felt, Bill Yurack and Mike Skopyk The funeral service was held on Friday, February 15th, 2008 at 2 p.m. from the Evangelical Free Church in Big River with Rev. Brian Maitland as the officiant. The organist was Laura Wilson who played the hymns Shall We Gather By The River, Abide With Me and Amazing Grace and sung by the Big River Community Choir. Honorary pall bearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Bert's life and the active pall bearers were George Yurach, Neil Yurach, Frank Saworski, Jonathan Baynes, Kelly Hiltz and Lawrence Doucette. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Lakewood Lodge Auxiliary. Bert was laid to rest in the Big River Cemetery.