Obituary of Alfred Hamill

HAMMILL: Alfred passed away on June 26, 2009 at the Shellbrook Hospital at the age of 78 years. Alfie was born on the family farm just north of Shell Lake on October 17, 1930, the youngest in a family of six children. Alfie never married and the farm where he was born was his home for his entire life. He was a lover of animals, children and nature. Alfie's door was always open to visitors, and he thoroughly enjoyed the steady stream of people that stopped by for tea. He particularly loved foolishness and didn't hesitate to join in the fun. His quick whit was demonstrated often, such as the time Bob introduced him to Lynn for the first time as "My uncle, the reverend." Alfie of course had no prior warning that he was a minister that day, but he had no problem filling the role, right down to discussing the last sermon he had delivered to his parishioners. Alfie's love for animals was demonstrated early in life when their neighbor, Mr. Jenkins gave him a runt piglet from one of his litters. It followed Alfie around like a dog and he fed it until it was so big it could hardly walk. It most definitely could not be sold or butchered and so it became a fixture on the Hamill homestead for quite some time. Alfie enjoyed gardening and loved his trees, yard and flowers. Prior to getting ill he always had a yard project of some type on the go and always looked forward to planting his garden every spring. Alfie has a big heart and could never see an animal suffer or go hungry. He had even been known to carry food to the town dump to feed the stray dogs and cats that had been abandoned there when he could not possibly take them ALL home. The wild deer that congregated in his yard were treated to his cattle feed. He used to say, "They have to eat too", and he sure wasn't happy when he found one of his deer being eaten by a coyote. (We didn't have the heart to tell him that the coyotes had to eat to). Alfi's true loves in life were his dogs and horses. They had a free pass to his heart the minute they set foot on his farm. They got nothing less than the best and were literally set for life. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his horses and looked forward to "Hey Days" when he could hook up his team and show them off in the parade. He could talk about them for hours on end and would never pass up the chance to do so. Alfie's love, sense of humor, generosity and kindness will be forever remembered and missed by family and friends. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. Alfie leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Gwen Sanders, his nieces and nephews Bob (Lynn) Sanders, Andy (Marlene) Sanders, Hugh Hamill, Connie(Daryl) Bridge, Lois (Ken) Ferrari, his great nieces and nephews, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his mother Florence Hamill (nee Smith), his father Robert Hamill, his brothers Michael Hamill, Patrick Hamill, James Hamill. his sister-in-law Iona Hamill, his brother-in-law Herbert Sanders. The Graveside Service was held on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Shell Lake Cemetery, Shell Lake, SK with Delores Beaulac officiating, the Bible Reading was read by Linda Potts, the Eulogy was read by Ken Aiken. The special music was instructed by Dave Hjertaas, the Honorary Pallbearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Alfie's life, Pallbearers were Donald Potts, Ken Aiken, Mervin Dust, Danny Pot Grant Lehman, Clarence Dafoe. Memorial Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Prince Albert Unit. Beau "Lac" Funeral Home of Spiritwood was entrusted with the arrangements.