Obituary for Alvin Keith Wallington
Alvin Keith Wallington, born a farmer May 20, 1929 to Cecil and Lily Wallington. Al passed away still a farmer in “an off season” December 21, 2018 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan.
Al rode his pony to school at the Fern Glen until he was old enough to farm in the Runciman area.
In 1950 he met and married his only other love, Fran Robinson of Crooked River. They moved to a half section in the Hanover district and started a life of work and family that lasted 68 years. There was no power or running water in the area but with great neighbors like the Fords, Currys and Wrights; pioneer life was a great time of fellowship and hard work. George Curry, Al’s harvest partner for a few years once said that the only thing that Al would slow down for in harvest time was to “take a quick dump”.
Five children were born to Al and Fran; Donna (Greg Fritshaw) 1951, Lionel (Dianne Beaudette) 1953, Sharleen (Art Ollivier) 1954, Chris (Garth Keays) 1957 and Sandy (Brad Tokaruk) 1961.
Times were busy on a mixed farm in the Hanover district in the 50’s and 60’s. Work was important but so was life. Al was MC at the annual Hanover Christmas concert. Fern Glen Telephone Co and Hanover Watershed were important to Al; Al and Dave Ford did a lot of work on the “Baseline” grid to get it built; 4-H and the Lurgan Beef Club were a big ticket for a few years and very important to growing up around the farm.
Then there was the “fun stuff”; playing cards and New Year’s Party at the Fords; square dancing and curling with the Burgess’s, Pat and Clare Phillips, Jack and Irene Mann and many others was a great time of fellowship around our house.
Al had a lifetime farm partner in Lionel and right to the very end the only legitimate excuse to get away from Newmarket Place was to go home and work.
Grandchildren started to arrive: Candi and Wade Fritshaw, Trent, Trish, Tyler and Jess Ollivier, Matt, Adrienne and Jennifer Wallington, Garrett and Kalim Keays and Joal, Logan, Cami Ollivier, Matt and Megan Tokaruk added so much to their family.
Travel was a big part in Al and Fran’s life, Spain, Caribbean Cruise and 15 winters in Texas were highlights. Al and Fran moved to town in the 90’s, Fran could golf and do “grandma stuff” but Al never left the farm. Having Matt join the family farm was a great source of pride for him.
Gone before Al are his parents Cecil and Lily, brother Ray and grandson Garrett Keays. Fran, his loving partner of 67 years, passed away 16 long months ago.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren; as well as many others whose lives he touched.
Donations may be made to
Tisdale Hospital Auxiliary or Canadian Diabetes Association
as a token of remembrance
Al rode his pony to school at the Fern Glen until he was old enough to farm in the Runciman area.
In 1950 he met and married his only other love, Fran Robinson of Crooked River. They moved to a half section in the Hanover district and started a life of work and family that lasted 68 years. There was no power or running water in the area but with great neighbors like the Fords, Currys and Wrights; pioneer life was a great time of fellowship and hard work. George Curry, Al’s harvest partner for a few years once said that the only thing that Al would slow down for in harvest time was to “take a quick dump”.
Five children were born to Al and Fran; Donna (Greg Fritshaw) 1951, Lionel (Dianne Beaudette) 1953, Sharleen (Art Ollivier) 1954, Chris (Garth Keays) 1957 and Sandy (Brad Tokaruk) 1961.
Times were busy on a mixed farm in the Hanover district in the 50’s and 60’s. Work was important but so was life. Al was MC at the annual Hanover Christmas concert. Fern Glen Telephone Co and Hanover Watershed were important to Al; Al and Dave Ford did a lot of work on the “Baseline” grid to get it built; 4-H and the Lurgan Beef Club were a big ticket for a few years and very important to growing up around the farm.
Then there was the “fun stuff”; playing cards and New Year’s Party at the Fords; square dancing and curling with the Burgess’s, Pat and Clare Phillips, Jack and Irene Mann and many others was a great time of fellowship around our house.
Al had a lifetime farm partner in Lionel and right to the very end the only legitimate excuse to get away from Newmarket Place was to go home and work.
Grandchildren started to arrive: Candi and Wade Fritshaw, Trent, Trish, Tyler and Jess Ollivier, Matt, Adrienne and Jennifer Wallington, Garrett and Kalim Keays and Joal, Logan, Cami Ollivier, Matt and Megan Tokaruk added so much to their family.
Travel was a big part in Al and Fran’s life, Spain, Caribbean Cruise and 15 winters in Texas were highlights. Al and Fran moved to town in the 90’s, Fran could golf and do “grandma stuff” but Al never left the farm. Having Matt join the family farm was a great source of pride for him.
Gone before Al are his parents Cecil and Lily, brother Ray and grandson Garrett Keays. Fran, his loving partner of 67 years, passed away 16 long months ago.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren; as well as many others whose lives he touched.
Donations may be made to
Tisdale Hospital Auxiliary or Canadian Diabetes Association
as a token of remembrance