Cecil Robert Guest was born on June 4, 1919 on the family farm, SW 07-07-20 W2 in the Egypt Valley District, five miles north of Hardy, Saskatchewan and passed away on February 16, 2016. He was the second youngest child of Herbert and Alsie Guest who had nine children; Reg, Bill, Lillian, May, Gladys, Lydia, Dorothy, Cecil and Eva and also three children who died in infancy. Cecil was predeceased by all of his siblings other than his younger sister, Eva. He was also predeceased by his son Bob. Cecil will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Marguerite Guest of Pangman; son, Jerry Guest of Regina; daughter, Kathy (Mike) Tomlinson of Hazelton, BC; son, Bert (Shirley) Guest of Middle Lake, SK; son, Reg (Gloria) Guest of Caron, SK; daughter in law, Carolyne Guest of Edmonton, AB; 15 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren; sister, Eva Orton as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Dad was six years old when his mother Alsie died and he was 13 years old when his father, Herbert died. He was then raised by his older siblings. Dad attended Egypt Valley School from Grades One to Six when he then left school and started farming at the age of 13 after his father died. He told of how in his early teens he would often take the team and wagon to various coals mines, which were two day trips, to bring coal back to the farm. In his younger days he enjoyed spending time with neighbor friend鈥檚, Archie Peters, Alf Lillejord and others, touring around the country. Dad met Mom while she was working at the Smith鈥檚 Store. Mom may say differently but Dad told two of his grandsons that he met Mom at a dance. They were married on October 5, 1946 and their neighbors gave them a Shivaree; which is an old custom defined as 鈥渉arassing the hell out of a newlywed couple on their wedding night.鈥� Together Dad and Mom were married sixty-nine years and together raised five children on the farm; Jerry, Bob, Kathy, Bert and Reg. 聽Many stories were told about Dad鈥檚 hard work ethic. Tommy Webb tells of how Dad would bury him under a pitch fork of hay while hauling loose hay and by the time he got out of that one, another one landed on top of him. Others say that his team of horses was so well trained that when he came into the yard he would drop the reins on the wagon seat and would be going into the granary, while the horses backed themselves up to the bin. Dad started farming with a team of horses and lived to see his Grandson on the farm, farming with a Four Wheel Drive GPS equipped tractor. Dad drove a Model A Ford. There used to be a gate at the bottom of the hill on the farm and a story was told of how Alf Lillejord would get out of the car to open the gate and Dad would be coming down the hill, before Alf got the gate open. Alf had to get the gate open and get out of the way before Dad and the car came through. Another story is of his nephew Mike McGuffin who was serving in Bosnia and riding in an armoured personnel carrier. He was asked why he wasn鈥檛 holding on and Mike鈥檚 reply was, 鈥淵ou鈥檝e never chased cows with my Uncle.鈥� Dad loved the cows and had a natural ability with them. He could take a range cow and convince it that it was a milk cow. Two weeks later he could drive into the pasture and milk the cow right on the spot. He would then bring the milk back to the house, hanging the full pail out of the truck window without spilling a drop. Dad attended many branding days around the community. He enjoyed his work and those he shared it with. 聽He was a compassionate person always willing to help his neighbor. One year when the Dray man was sick; Dad moved his family into town so he could do the services of the Dray man that winter. Besides farming, Dad enjoyed curling in the Hardy rink, taking his kids hunting and he always enjoyed nature and the outdoors. Over the years he contributed to the community by sitting on Hardy鈥檚 Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Committee and as member of the Bethel Mission Church Board. He had a strong faith in his Saviour Jesus Christ and faithfully took his family to church. Dad and Mom have fifteen grandchildren and a still increasing number of Great Grandchildren. So while his life on earth has passed, he will continue to live on in our memories; a man of strength and honor. The family would like to thank Dad鈥檚 eight Grandsons for honoring their Grandfather today as pallbearers. They would also like to express their thanks to the Deep 麻豆视频 Care Home in Pangman, Bengough Health Centre and Tatagwa View in Weyburn where Dad spent his last years, and thanks to Pastor Gary Penner, Pat Vass, the Fletcher Funeral Chapel, and family and friends for the sharing in this celebration of his life. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 20, at 2:00 p.m. from the Abundant Living Centre, Pangman, Saskatchewan with Pastor Gary Penner officiating. Interment followed at Trail Cemetery, Hardy, Saskatchewan. Pallbearers were Tyler Guest, Evan Guest, Dustin Guest, Aundr茅 Beaudin, Greg Tonsaker, Josh Tomlinson, Mike Guest and Brad Guest. Donations in memory of Cecil may be made to Abundant Living Ministries at Box 219, Pangman, Saskatchewan, S0C 2C0. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan
