FLOYD T. McNABB, 1922 - 2013 . Floyd McNabb was born August 16, 1922 in Lethbridge, AB and passed away in Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon in the early evening of Tuesday, October 29th, 2013 at the age of 91, following a heart condition that began in March, 2012. Floyd was survived by his wife of eighteen years, Ariana Sheran of Saskatoon and Kauai, his niece, Sharon Pangman (Mike) from Edmonton, his goddaughter, Lynn Osborn (Chris) from Coquitlam, a distant cousin from Calgary, Bettelou Stagg (George) and their daughter, Marion Leniczek (Chuck) and their family from Lemberg, SK, his brother-in-law Gary Nyholt (RoseMarie) of Metinota, SK and their daughters, Stacy Nyholt (Tom) of Edmonton and Tamara Nyholt (Toni) who live in New Zealand. Floyd was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth Carson "Libby", his sister Dorothy, brother-in-law Len, nephew Peter, father Frank Bruce McNabb, mother Carrie (Hougan) McNabb, father-in-law Gerrit Nyholt and mother-in-law Doris Audrey Nyholt. After graduation, Floyd served five years in the Canadian Air Force during World War II before beginning his life-long career in the travel business in 1946. He was transferred to Saskatoon a year later and worked for Trans Canada Airlines (now Air Canada) over a dozen years. About the same time he met his sweetheart, Libby from Moncton, an exchange teacher. They were married within a year. In 1962 Ariana met Floyd and became his secretary/travel agent at Maher Travel Agency in Saskatoon for several years. He retired from P. Lawson Travel in 1986 and spent their winter holidays in Hawaii. Following Libby's passing in spring of 1994, Floyd reconnected with Ariana and they married in 1995. Floyd totally enjoyed a graceful and joyful retirement, flying between Saskatoon and his favorite winter retirement beach in Kauai, where he could swim almost daily until 2012. Floyd's main joy in life was traveling the world. That was accomplished through the air force and his lifelong career in travel. His heritage was Scottish and Norwegian. He spent time exploring both Scotland and Norway to embrace his roots. He circled the globe on several occasions, visiting many different countries. Throughout his life, Floyd loved nature and his favorite exercise was swimming. In Kauai he took long swims in the ocean in front of his residence. In Saskatoon he swam 30 to 40 laps three times each week, leaving home at 6:00 a.m., rain or shine from the time when he was a boy in the YMCA in Lethbridge until the heart incident in 2012. He also exercised by jogging, walking and hiking. In quiet times he was an avid reader of mystery novels. He also enjoyed solving puzzles, often while sitting under a palm tree on the beach. At home in Saskatoon he loved to putter in his garden on almost a daily basis and in Kauai he took up the job of assistant cook. Floyd attended Grosvenor Park United Church in Saskatoon and Kapa'a United Church of Christ in Kauai. He donated his time before and after retirement to over a dozen charitable organizations including Rotary (since 1965), other luncheon business groups, SKAL club, helping in church work parties, participating in the three local hospital foundations in Saskatoon, Folkfest and Habitat for Humanity. His latest volunteer job was in the winter of 2012-13 when he painted the chain link fence green around the church yard in Kauai. It took him all winter and he wasn't very strong, but he did complete the job and he ceremoniously discarded his paint clothes and shoes at the end of the season. The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to family physician, Dr. Michel Jutras, his beloved doctor for over thirty years. Thank you to the doctors and nurses at Royal University Hospital for their care, attention and support this summer and fall. A sincere and loving "thank you" to the caring and friendly folks at Dolan's Home Support from August 1 to October 15. Thanks to Brittany and Claire, the executives who made sure all shifts were covered, even if they had to attend to them personally! A special thank you is extended to Lou Itcush, who was Floyd's well loved and efficient caregiver, to dear one Connie, songbird Viorela and all of the other personal caregivers, as well as Terry McFaull and Wayne Smith, Floyd's extraordinary therapists who attended to him both in the hospital and at home over several months. A sincere thank you to Jessica Fox and her team from CPAS, who helped us to bring Floyd home under difficult and challenging circumstances, as well as the nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists and other helpers from the Saskatoon Health Region. Although Floyd did not have children, he had a widely selected worldwide chosen family including participants of Cloverleaf Connection who also came to his assistance, both in Saskatoon and Kauai, in many personal, loving and caring ways ever since Floyd's body began to tire. A Life Celebration for beloved Floyd will take place on Wednesday, November 6th, 2013 at 11 am at Grosvenor Park United Church (14th and Cumberland) with Rev. Tony Thompson as guest minister and Rev. David Kim-Cragg. Tony officiated at Floyd and Ariana's marriage on 11/11/95. A luncheon will follow at the church including an open mike for comments or anecdotes from friends and family members. Floyd's family is suggesting that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Floyd's honor to the Rotary Club of Saskatoon at 38 St. Lawrence Ct. Saskatoon S7K 1G5 or Royal University Hospital Foundation, phone (306) 655-1984 or any charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to [email protected]. Arrangements and cremation have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME at (306) 244-5577. ____________________________________________________
