Obituary of Fred Richard Cudmore

Cudmore, Fred Richard Fred (Dad) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Fred would have been 85 years old on August 31. He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Libby Cudmore. Fred is survived by Doreen, his loving wife of 64 years and his daughter Floralyn (Warren) Wessel and their children Shanna (Todd) Graham, great- grandchildren Emily and Amie Graham and Jason (Kristin) Wessel; son Bill (Brigitte) and their children James (Amy), Natalie and Josh Cudmore; daughter Brenda (Warren) Arnold and their children Jenny (Smiley) Popescu, Katie (Ryan), and Scott Arnold; daughter Dawne (Greg) Zahorski and their children Lucas and Tessa Zahorski; sister-in-law Myrna Nesbitt, special nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. Fred was born in Shaunavon on August 31, 1923 and raised in Shackleton as an only child. He enjoyed music and sports winning many medals in school Field Meets. At the age of 18 he joined the Army and was posted at Maple Creek. Later he took tank training at Camp Borden. He met his life's partner Doreen (Nesbitt) when she began teaching in Shackleton and they were married on July 10, 1944 while Fred was on Embarkation Leave. Fred left for overseas two weeks after the wedding. He served in Holland during World War II where he was active in the liberation of the Netherlands. Fred was wounded and returned home on a hospital ship in August of 1945. Within a few years, he and Doreen went farming, growing wheat and raising cattle near Dummer, Saskatchewan, three miles east of where Doreen was born. Here, they raised their four children. They were also active community members. Fred served on the United Church Board; was secretary of the Elmsthorpe RM; and was active in bringing Curling to Dummer, as well as one of the builders of the Dummer Curling Rink. He was on the Dummer men's ball team and played in many sports days in the area. Fred and Doreen decided to move the family to Regina in 1961 after the local school closed. They left behind wonderful friends and neighbours. Although Fred worked at various jobs he continued to farm on weekends from the city before retiring in 1989 as the Director of Housekeeping at the Plains Hospital. In retirement he continued his interest in sports, golfing and curling. However, it was family and especially his grandchildren and their activities that gave him his greatest joy. He and Doreen spent many happy hours in rinks and gyms cheering on the grandkids and always offering advice on fair play and good sportsmanship. His positive influence on his children and grandchildren is his legacy. Thanks to his example they are all caring and contributing members of society. Fred was a "people person, never forgetting a name or a face. He cherished his many friendships including those in Gyros, AOTS, the Legion, as well as the many friends he made in his various work places and never forgetting his "Dummer friends. Fred treasured the simple things in life. Happiness for him was a "roof over his head, food in his belly and someone to love. He touched the lives of many and no matter where he travelled he would invariably run into someone he knew - even in the Red Square in Russia. Fred loved people, animals and the land - he was a farmer at heart. Fred will be missed for his wonderful sense of humour and his love for family and life. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. in Lakeview United Church, 3200 McCallum Avenue with Rev. Ronald H. Sutton officiating. Interment in Regina Memorial Gardens. Flowers gratefully declined. Those wishing to remember Fred may do so by donating to either the Palliative Care Unit at the Pasqua Hospital, 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK, S4T 1A5 or to the Royal Canadian Legion-History Book Fund, 1820 Cornwall Street, Regina SK, S4P 2K2. Dad would wish that anyone who is able to donate blood to do so.