Obituary of Eugene Burton Harvey Fletcher

Eugene Burton Harvey Fletcher passed away peacefully in Regina at the age of 85 on November 29, 2020 surrounded by family. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Jean Fletcher and his sister Beatrice.  Eugene’s surviving siblings are Harry (Carol) Nelly Mattews (Roy) and Betty Durant.

Eugene was the second oldest of five siblings born to Bert and Elma Fletcher on a farm near Quill Lake, Saskatchewan in 1935. At that time, travel was by horse and buggy with hot rocks for heat. Eugene was a small premature baby and his mother kept him warm in a drawer near the kitchen stove.

Eugene left home at age 15 to attend Luther College in Regina.  A few years later he met Jean at a bus stop in Regina and they married in 1957.  Very soon after they started their own family that quickly grew to six children:  Holly (Daryl) Jaques, Dave (Bernadette) Fletcher, Daniel (Sylvie) Fletcher, Don (Erica) Fletcher, Troy (Lynn) Fletcher and Candace (Graham) Fletcher.  Eugene and Jean loved their children but adored and cherished their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean and Eugene have nine grandchildren: Brody, Chelsea, Karlie, Krystine, Courtney, Étienne, Andréanne, Allison, and Mattea and twelve great-grandchildren: Davin, Jayden, Avery, Kingsley, Callie, Payton, Halle, Max, Bentley, Everly, Émanuel and Riel.

Eugene’s career with the Regina Firefighter Department lasted 40 years from 1957-1997. He enjoyed the camaraderie of working with the crews. He was involved with the firefighter union and fulfilled various roles, including that of President.  Eugene, through university studies in Administration and his leadership, entered management and eventually became the Chief of Suppression and Rescue. 

While raising their young family Eugene and Jean were busy with Foster Parenting and many charitable activities.  Christ Lutheran church was a lifelong benefactor of Dad’s volunteer time. First as Sunday School Superintendent, Stephen Minister leader and Grief class leader to name a few. 

With the help of family and friends, Eugene built two houses; one in Pilot Butte and another one at Saskatchewan Beach.  The Saskatchewan Beach property became the center of family gatherings, and visitors were always welcome.  Recreation was a focal point of the property and simple pleasures such as watching wildlife, summer storms, sunsets and lake activity, were enjoyed all from the comfort of their deck.  They also tended a huge garden and raised honey bees. Processing honey and creating bees wax products was a hobby that Eugene enjoyed together with Jean and they sold their products at Farmers Markets. Eugene was an ardent and supportive Roughrider fan and a season ticket holder for many years.

Eugene will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. Flowers graciously declined. Donations may be made in memory of Eugene to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan Inc, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, or charity of your choice.

Special thanks to College Park 1 for their caring, compassionate service and to the 5E Regina General Hospital for his recent care.

To join us in celebrating Eugene’s life via a live online memorial service on Saturday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. CT, please go to Christ Lutheran Church’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/clcregina.  You do not need Facebook to access the service.   Family and friends will be invited at a later date for a get together to celebrate his life.