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Obituary of Dick Freeman
***Please Note: Due to the concerns surrounding the coronarvirus, the family of Dick Freeman have made the difficult decision to postpone his Memorial Service. A service honouring Dick's Life will be held at a later date.
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Richard “Dick” Freeman announces his passing on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in Regina, SK. He was predeceased by his wife, Elroy; his parents Belle and Howard Freeman; and his siblings George Freeman, Don Freeman, Jim Freeman and Fran Hart. Dick is survived by his children Dale (Terri) Freeman, Leslie (Duncan) Blyth and Dean (Shannon) Freeman; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Kyle and Rachel Freeman (Max and Maya), Chad Freeman, Cole Freeman, Kaylin Freeman and Taylor Drake (Lennon), Taryn and Dillon Gregoire (Owen), Jeff and Katie Blyth (Emmett and Kinley), Todd Blyth, Kadie Freeman and Chloe Freeman; his sister, Doreen Stephan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Dick was born on February 20, 1932 in Venn, SK. He left the family farm to work in Regina. He met and married his wife Elroy Dempsey in 1958. Dick worked for many different companies including Federated Coop, Monarch Plumbing and Heating, and Conley & Co, before starting his own company, Freeman Welding. He was so proud to see his name on the company truck. He finished his career as a gas inspector with the Provincial Government. Never one to sit still for long, Dick began driving bus for Able Bus during his retirement.
Sports were a part of Dick`s youth and he brought them with him into his life in Regina. Though he played many different sports, curling proved to be the one that became a passion. Dick proudly represented his curling club at the SK Tankard play downs several times. The curling clubs in Regina often hosted bonspiels and cabarets. Dick, his wife and their friends would dance the night away. When Dick was no longer active on the ice, he became a fan of the game on TV. Dick and Elroy loved to ring in the New Year with an Open House for family and friends. January 1st was a day to relive events of the past year and dream about what is to come. Road trips were Dick`s favorite type of holiday. Give him a car, a road map and a hot cup of coffee and he was set for 10-14 hours of driving. Dick and Elroy and their favourite travel partners, Edith and Walter Rink, traveled from PEI to Alaska and everywhere in between. Gardening became a big passion for Dick in his later years. As his wife tended to the flowers, Dick tended his gardens, growing vegetables in more than one location. Family and friends were often entertained with stories of his gardens. The grandchildren enjoyed playing at Dick and Elroy`s house. Grandpa`s garage was the place to carve pumpkins, build wooden sculptures with real hammers and nails, and devour snacks brought out by Grandma. Forts were built in the snow and in the basement. The garage was also home to Dick`s woodworking hobby. He built rocking chairs for his grandchildren and for many other little ones, and he built hope chests for his granddaughters.
Dick and Elroy and their family lived on the same crescent for most of their lives. The neighbours enjoyed visiting with each other and helping one another with projects, especially in the early years when fences needed to be built and driveways needed pouring, After a big snowstorm, Dick and his neighbours would get out the snow blowers and clear sidewalks and driveways around the crescent. He was always willing to lend a hand.
The family wishes to thank the staff at College Park II for Dick`s care.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations in Dick`s name to Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan Inc., 2550 12th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 3X1 or Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation, 2217C Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 6A8.
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