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GRIFFITH - Lloyd. 1946 - 2017. Mr. Lloyd McKinley Griffith passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Hospice in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at the age of 70 years. Lloyd was born in Yorkton, SK on December 6, 1946. He was the second son of Amos and Aggie Griffith of the Bangor District. Lloyd was a farm boy through and through and some of his fondest memories were of his childhood days on the family homestead with his brother, Morgan and sisters, Donna and Gloria. He loved the outdoors, animals and building many inventions and motorized contraptions, including a go-cart that he and Morgan built with the motor they stole off of their father's grain auger. Lloyd grew up attending school in Bangor and the Luton School District. As a young man, Lloyd pursued a career as a journeyman weldor. This trade suited his meticulous nature; so meticulous as to always note that weldor with an "o" is a person who welds and welder with an "e" is a machine. Lloyd plied his trade in various industries and he would go on to further his education at the University of Saskatchewan, allowing him to teach in the trades. It was while working in the Oil Industry in Alberta in the late 1960s that Lloyd met the love of his life, Pamela Hyde, on a blind date. The couple were married in 1972. Lloyd taught welding and auto body at the Estevan Comprehensive High School from 1972 to 1976. Following a short return trip to the oil-patch in Alberta, Lloyd and Pam chose to move back to Bangor to farm with his father and brother in 1978. The following year, Lloyd began teaching the pre-employment welding course at the Parkland Regional College in Yorkton, a position he held for over twenty years. He also did consulting work for the Province's Department of Education and contributed to writing the curriculum that was used to train apprentice welders through the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology. Over the years, Lloyd trained hundreds of men and women in the welding trade and took great pride and satisfaction from mentoring and teaching young people. Lloyd was a true 'car guy' whose interest in classic cars was a lifelong passion. Whether it was tinkering in his shop, attending swap meets or car shows, some of Lloyd's most enduring friendships and greatest joys came from his involvement in the car community. In addition to his love for anything with an engine, Lloyd was passionate about music - a gift he received from his father and passed on to his daughters. A testament to his Welsh roots, Lloyd was an accomplished singer and guitar player and a huge fan of gospel, folk and country music. Pam and Lloyd stayed on the family farm north of Bangor for twenty-seven years. During this time, Lloyd was integral in forming two community groups that contributed to preserving the local history and culture of the Bangor area: the Welsh Male Voice Choir and the Bangor & District Heritage Club. He also owned and operated a small auto body restoration and repair business for many years. A few years after Lloyd's cancer diagnosis in 2002, he and Pam sold the farm and retired to Red Deer. The last fifteen years of Lloyd's life was spent meeting many new friends, playing music, traveling to car shows, spending time with his grandchildren and building and working in his prized shop - fondly nicknamed the "Taj Garage". Lloyd's health had declined significantly over the past year, but with the loving and patient care of his wife, he was able to live at home as long as possible before spending his final days in hospice. The family is immensely grateful for the fellowship and kindness of the Central Alberta Prostate Cancer Support Group and for the many dedicated health care professionals who cared for Lloyd on Unit 32 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and the Red Deer Hospice and specifically Dr. Willem Myburgh, a wonderful physician and caring friend. Lloyd was predeceased by his mother, Aggie in 1983, his father, Amos in 1995 and a brother Morgan in 2015. Lloyd is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Pamela Griffith, daughter, Gwyneth (Bryce) Sunderland and their children, Cayden and Bronwyn, daughter, Megan Griffith, sister, Donna (Brian) Roebuck, sister, Gloria (Kalvin) Rathgeber, sister-in-law, Susan Griffith, sister-in-law, Pat (John) Alexander, aunt, Marion (Ken) Dunn; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. A Funeral Service will be held at Gaetz Memorial United Church, 4758 Ross Street, Red Deer, AB on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 2:00 pm, officiated by The Reverends Susan Griffith and Daryl Woods. A Private Interment will be held at the Horn Hill Cemetery, Penhold, AB. If desired, Memorial Donations in Lloyd's honour may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society at www.reddeerhospice.com. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
