Obituary of Wes Cudmore

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

Wes, 89 years old, passed away suddenly and peacefully at home on Thursday, January 14, 2021 with his beloved wife Ida by his side.  He is survived by his children Joanne Leippi (Woody); Guy Cudmore; Linda Yablonski (Mark); son-in-law JP (John Paul) Cullen; ten grandchildren: Taylor (Sarah) Leippi, Jeneva (Charles Truchon) Leippi, Zachary (Laura Marroquin) Yablonski, Jami (Staz Zubrycky) Cudmore, Azlynn (Josh) Lefebvre, Matthew (Casey MacLeod) Cudmore, Spencer Leippi, Sydney Leippi, Sara (Ryan Ferland) Cudmore, and Brynn Cullen; four great-grandchildren: Roland and Triona Leippi, Athenea Lefebvre and Nico Truchon. Wes was predeceased by his daughter Carla Cullen; sisters Uldene and Catherine; and brother Warner. Also survived by his younger brother Glenn (Carole) Cudmore; sisters-in-law Marie Boers and Sylvia Kotchorek, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Wes was born in Regina on March 30, 1931 to Mamie and Guy Cudmore, their 4th child. He attended Strathcona School, Central Collegiate and Balfour Tech. Wes loved school and playing goalie on the hockey team so much that he repeated Grades 11 and 12!

In 1952 a lovely cashier at Safeway caught his eye when he was buying butter for his dad’s popcorn stand. He always made an effort to cash out through Ida’s till. They married in June, 1953. They built their first home on Grey St. with help from Ida’s dad.

Wes started working at Federated Co-Op in 1951, moving to the Refinery in 1954 where he welded until an explosion caused knee and back injuries. He received an offer to teach welding at Rosetown High School for the ’61/‘62 school year. Returning to Regina he taught welding at Balfour Tech before Miller Comprehensive High School enticed him away in ‘66 with the ability to plan the welding shop for the brand new school. He taught until 1976.

Wes and fellow teacher, Al Muxlow, bought their first apartment building in 1967. They eventually owned 6 buildings between the 2 families. The afternoon he died was spent working on apartment business. 

Wes LOVED hockey. Over the years he played for 17 different teams, sometimes two teams in the same season. Sadly he had to end his career in 1979 after his knees gave out on him. Saturday nights were spent watching Hockey Night in Canada. In 1997, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Rural, Sports Hall of Fame in Indian Head.

Wes loved to travel and meet new people. As a child there were family trips to P.E.I. to visit relatives. He and Ida enjoyed tenting with their young kids, until Wes built a “Wes-craft” tent trailer, a knockoff of a StarCraft. Eventually a motorhome was purchased. In 1977 a condo was purchased in Oahu, Hawai’i where they spent 12 winters. Following the sale of the condo they purchased a mobile home in a park in Weslaco, Texas. They spent 23 winters there where Wes enjoyed playing shuffle, pool, singing in the choir, playing cards, ballroom and square dancing, and he volunteered on many committees. Cruising became a favourite vacation which led them to touring Southeast Asia, China, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Wes was the gentleman who helped all the “older folks” on and off the bus.

Wes LOVED ice cream and was happy to drive miles out of his way to treat himself and anyone who was tagging along. Popcorn was in his blood and it was a weekly treat that only he could make.

With his trusty screw driver in his breast pocket Wes was ready to help fix anything. Many neighbours in Regina and Texas received his expert assistance and a genuine warm smile.

Playing pool was another passion of his. He played 5 days a week at Marion Gardens and the Senior Citizen Centre. He was always happy to play his grandkids. He usually whipped their butts, teaching humility while showing them ways to improve their skills.  

Wes had a strong faith in God and he was raised in the Free Methodist Church. He chose to convert when he met Ida and they were married at Trinity Lutheran Church, later transferring to Christ Lutheran Church in 1972. They were long standing members and his favourite job on Sunday morning as Greeter meant that every parishioner received a cheerful smile and a firm handshake. Even on holiday they attended church wherever they went.

Wes was an incredibly healthy man, from a lifetime of taking large doses of vitamins and minerals. He died sitting in his favourite chair while watching T.V. with the love of his life by his side.

A virtual Funeral will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. To view the livestream of the service please click on the link above on the day of the service.

 In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favourite charity in Wes’s name.