Obituary of Garnet Evans

Garnie passed away peacefully in the company of family at Parkland Terrace on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the age of 86 years. Garnie was born in Hawarden, Sask. on October 3, 1921, coming to Shellbrook with his family in 1928 where his dad opened a bakery. After high school he worked as a mechanic at Fellows Brother's Garage. In 1942 Garnie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He trained in Saskatoon and Edmonton, then served in bomber command in Yorkshire England working on Lancaster and Halifax bombers. He next went to Hamburg, Germany with the occupational forces. After his discharge in 1946, Garnie continued his mechanical career returning to Fellow's Bros., then on to M&S Garage, A.J. Chambers & Son, E & B Bus Lines, and then later taking employment with the City of Prince Albert as a Heavy Duty Mechanic until his retirement at the age of 65. In 1953 he married the love of his life Pearl Peterson. Garnie had an avid interest in hockey, and spent many hours on open-air rinks shoveling snow and practicing skating. After his playing days were over his interest stayed in hockey and he became equipment manager and trainer for the Shellbrook Elk's Hockey Team from 1946 to 1974. He was involved in the community and helped design and build a Merry-Go-Round and Ferris Wheel for the Elk's Sports Day. This was a remarkable project for which he and John Augusta were interviewed on national television. He spent many hours in the construction of the old Shellbrook arena, the Elk's Theatre and the current Recreation Centre. He was a member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade and was on the Board of Trustees for Shellbrook School from 1967 to 1984. Garnie also built the family home by heading out to the bush to saw & plane lumber. He was passionate about every venture he started, whether it was decorating a Christmas tree or building a rink, it had to be done right. Garnie was very skilled with his hands, if he could not find a part he would make one. He also took a keen interest in his yard and garden which resulted in many hours making pickles which he loved to share. He was a strong, honorable, confident, and determined man, and his handshake was his word. He is missed by his family and community. Garnie leaves to mourn, his loving wife, Pearl; his children, Glen (Carol) Evans of Shellbrook, Garth (Cheryl) Evans of Saskatoon, Gayle (Randy) Leck of Saskatoon; his grandchildren, Randi (Mike) Horricks of Shellbrook, Rachelle (Greg) Yuzik of Calgary, Tyler Evans (Lee-Anne Massey) of Shellbrook and son Austyn, Alisha Evans of Calgary, Melisa Evans of Saskatoon, Taylor Leck of Saskatoon, Brittney Leck of Saskatoon; his twin sister Ruby Evans of Vancouver, sister-in-law Doris Evans of Regina, several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a grand daughter Raylea Evans, his parents, Sarah and Robert Evans, his brothers, Mel (Rose &Doris), Gordon (Lorna), Grant, Norman. The funeral service was held on Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Roland Legge as officiant. Dave Evans, a nephew of Garnie's gave the Eulogy. Memorial donations may be made to the Shellbrook and Districts Health Services Project. Interment was in the Veteran's Section, Shellbrook Cemetery.