Eric Scott Lanktree passed away suddenly on November 3, 2014 at the age of 25 years. Eric was born on April 10, 1989 in Arcola, the only child of Brian and Carrie Lanktree. He was predeceased by his grandfathers, L. Percy Lanktree and Walter 鈥淒oc鈥� Anderson. He was raised in Weyburn. As a child, Eric was curious and he always wanted to know how things worked and this usually involved taking things apart. Sometimes this even involved putting them back together again. Eric enjoyed skating and playing hockey in the Weyburn Minor Hockey system which helped to create many lifelong friendships. Eventually he became a member of the Weyburn Minor Hockey Officiating Team as a referee and linesman. He spent many hours refereeing hockey all over south east Saskatchewan, from initiation, all the way to the Big 6 hockey league. Eric also enjoyed playing soccer through his school years and continued to play after with the Weyburn Strikers Senior Men鈥檚 Team where he shared many laughs with the guys. From a young age Eric always wanted to be a firefighter. Eventually he would see his dream come true by serving as a volunteer firefighter and a brief tenure as a professional firefighter with the Weyburn Fire Brigade. Eric鈥檚 sense of humour, cool headedness, and charisma will never be forgotten by the other members of the Weyburn Fire Brigade. In high school, Eric worked in the produce department at the Wholesale Club, and the Sports and Seasonal department at Canadian Tire. Eventually he found his forte at New Age Electronics as a salesperson and later a custom installer. Some of the keys to Eric鈥檚 success in this job were attributable to his personable attitude, interest in changing technology, and his hard work ethic. This led to many new clients and valued relationships with his coworkers whom we know Eric loved dearly. This made Eric a key player in the New Age Electronics organization. Eric enjoyed the perks of working in such a revolutionary business and was always up to date with the most current electronic devices and services. Eric and Vanessa are high school sweethearts and best friends. Their love grew over the past eight years together. Eric and Vanessa were meant to be together for forever. Eric married his girlfriend of many years on September 8, 2012. They were married in Weyburn on the most beautiful and perfect day with all their loving family and friends in attendance. Eric was always planning what their next project would be or the next thing they would do together. They often talked about their future together and their yesterday and tomorrows. The love Eric and Vanessa have for one another is one of a kind. It was so true and passionate; they loved each other with their full heart and soul and knew they were in it for forever. People could see the way they loved each other, but when they were together it is something that was indescribable. Eric loved Vanessa so much, and she could see it in his actions, the way he kissed her so meaningfully, the way he talked to her, but most of all, she could see the true love in his beautiful, brown eyes. Eric was also a loved son in the Paslawski family. He enjoyed helping them with anything they asked, as Eric always wanted to help everyone. Eric started to really get involved with the different things the Paslawski family did, so he fell in love with hunting and had even started helping with different farming operations. When he found something new that he liked, he worked at it to succeed. No matter what it was he always wanted to learn something new. Eric also enjoyed riding his quad and shooting clay targets with Levi and Vanessa. Eric spent countless hours with his nephew Dominick Loos, from teaching him new things to just playing with toys. Eric was going to make an amazing father one day as we could see in his loving mannerism with Dominick and all the other children who were part of his life. At Eric鈥檚 Funeral Service during the reading of his Eulogy one of his very close friends stated: The reason Eric was such a fantastic person is because of his parents, Brian and Carrie Lanktree. They taught him that having a good work ethic and being disciplined were the tools to success. I remember going to visit Eric at a younger age, and when he got tired, he just went to bed. At first I didn鈥檛 know why, but as I got older I realized that he wanted to get up the next morning at a decent hour to start his day off right. For Eric, there was no time to sleep in, there were things to be done, and I think many of Eric鈥檚 friends and family really respected that. As an only child, Eric could have been horribly spoiled, but Brian and Carrie held him accountable for his actions so therefore had to work for everything that he achieved. Eric and Brian spent many hours together motorcycling, camping, diving, as well as helping building Eric and Vanessa鈥檚 dream house. Carrie taught Eric to be sensitive to other鈥檚 needs, as well as the power of love and loving others unconditionally. Both of them together taught Eric the importance of work-life balance, and the value of family, which was evident in his everyday life. Another role model for Eric was his uncle, Stacy Anderson. You could just see the sparkle in his eye every time he brought up his uncle鈥檚 name, and it gave him an immediate jump in his step. They were almost more like brothers, than an uncle and nephew. Eric was so very lucky to have an uncle who cared about him so dearly, and worked so hard to make him happy. After talking to lots of people about Eric, their stories usually revolve around what kind of a person he really was. Eric was always ready to assist in emergency situations where he had no problem putting his life in harm鈥檚 way to save the life of another. That is just the way he was. He was always willing to help anyone, friend, stranger, customer, and ensure that things were better than when he first started. Eric was funny, joyful, and always loved having a good time. He never got jealous or greedy and he was always willing to spend time with 鈥渢he guys鈥� or his many other brothers. This included bike trips across Canada, trips to Brandon, hot holidays with his mom and dad as well as Vanessa and her family. If we can learn anything from Eric鈥檚 passing it鈥檚 how to live your life with humility, and without prejudice. The importance of being involved in the community such as joining the Young Fellows, to laugh and laugh often, to experience the world but plan for the future. To be compassionate, love unconditionally and not be afraid to tell those you love that you care. To be a devoted husband, to make time for family and friends and to always help those in need, these were the principals Eric lived by. As the playwright Robert Anderson once wrote, 鈥楧eath ends a life, not a relationship,鈥� we will all treasure our time spent with Eric and keep him in our hearts always. As time goes hopefully we can all let go of the pain and allow the memories of Eric to remain. Eric, you were nothing short of an outstanding citizen, and you served your community with class and grace. You were always the life of the party. Your infectious laugh always brightened everyone鈥檚 day. There was nothing you wouldn鈥檛 do to make someone鈥檚 day better. Weyburn has truly lost its favoured son, but you and your legacy will never be forgotten. People always talk about life, and measure it with the number of breaths taken, but sometimes we forget, that a life should be measured by the amount of times we have our breaths taken away. Although your life was cut short, you still lived a fulfilling life, which impacted everyone around you. Eric will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend, Vanessa Lanktree; parents, Brian and Carrie Lanktree and Dale and Mary Anne Paslawski of Weyburn; sister, Julie-Anne (Tyson) Loos and baby, Dominick; and brother, Levi Paslawski of Weyburn; special uncles, Stacy (Susan) Anderson and son, Nate of Edmonton, AB; Dave (Terry) Lanktree of Vulcan, AB and, children, Clarke (Katie Carew), Owen and Kellie; grandmothers, Marg Lanktree, Pat Anderson (Alex Szilagyi) and Nellie Skiba; grandparents, Fred and Evelyn Paslawski; the Irwin and VanRoon families as well as numerous friends and relatives. The Funeral Service was held on Monday, November 17 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace United Church, Weyburn with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. Active Pallbearers were, Luk Bell, Adam Ziegler, Jeremy VanRoon, Jeff Davies, Adrian Miller and Rylan Trithart. Honorary Pallbearers were the members of the Weyburn Fire Department. The Eulogy was delivered by John, Gene, and Robert Irwin. Donations in memory of Eric may be made to Stars Air Ambulance or the Weyburn Fire Department. Interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, 鈥�306-842-5432.
