Elgin Martin Blanchard
June-13-1921 - May-26-2011
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Val Wilkins posted a condolence
Lois and my extended family, It is difficult to know what the right words are to say at this time when you have all lost someone who has been such a large presence in all of your lives. My heart goes out to all of you. At least Elgin is no longer suffering which is a blessing for him. I enjoyed his quick laughter at family gatherings, most especially his irreverent sense of humour. Although I cannot be with you on the 5th I am sending love and hugs to all of you. Val
J
Jennifer Jilks-Racine posted a condolence
My deepest condolences to all who knew Elgin. He was dearly loved, it was evident to me, a virtual stranger.
It was my joy to visit with Elgin every Thursday as a hospice volunteer. I learned to watch hockey, and game shows with him. He had the greatest sense of humour, and was a whiz with that TV clicker. He had favourite Family Feud hosts: loved to mock the ones who were too full of themselves. I was amazed at the speed at which he answered the questions on some shows, even when he was fighting his pain or when he would doze while the commercials came on, then, quick as a wink, would use the clicker to put the sound back on.
We had the most wonderful chats. He was deeply proud of his life, and deeply loved his family and spoke of them with great respect. Once I asked him a few questions...
1. Did you like school?
I did like school. Sept. I was always ready to go back
Christian bros. looked like priests, some were sadistic, but wouldn't hesitate to give you a good strapping. Dear Brother Valentine. He had a strap like a solid piece of rubber. In those days, when you go home crying and bruised.
You’d say, I was strapped by Brother Valentine.
Teaching has changed.
The kids sense it in a hurry; what they can get away with.
2. What do you think are the most important things about life?
Happiness covers an awful lot. Having enough money to enjoy life.
Having good friends.
There’s a woman in TO, her husband died four or five months ago. We went to the UK with them once. Toured England, Wales, Scotland. They were marvellous friends.
He arranged everything. All we had to do was buy the plane tickets.
We got off the plane he took us to Redding, rented a car took off and stayed in B and B’s every night.
We used to play Bridge with them. We met them at a tournament. We invited us, we became fast friends.
I’ve had some wonderful friends.
3. Who have you admired and why?
I admired a couple of people.
That guy from S. Africa, Mandela, survived twenty seven years in jail and I imagine they treated him pretty rough. That’s older than Winston churchill.
And one of the nurses in the hospital, we got talking about health care. She said, what a socialist, Tommy Douglas. A remarkable man. Not only out of the loop, in Sask, not in the midst of stuff. A socialist and he managed to get our health care on the ground.
4. What did you do for fun in your youth?
Smoked cigarettes, there wasn’t much to do! no tv, no tv games. We’d go for walks, 10 min. walk to the bush. My mother would give us 5 cent cans of pork and beans; we’d take a frying pan and bacon. In Cornwall. Where we lived it was 4 or 5 blocks to the wilderness. On Sunday eight or ten would walk in the bush.
P
Paul Hardy & Elizabeth Scott posted a condolence
Lois, our sincere condolences for your loss of Elgin; I will never forget first meeting you and Elgin nor will I forget the first time you both took me to a ‘duplicate’ game. I have fond memories of you and Elgin. Our thoughts are with you.
Paul Hardy & Elizabeth Scott
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Rod Tulk posted a condolence
David and family, While I never met your father, I heard plenty about him over the past decade from David. I'm sure he was a wonderful man. My condolences for your loss. Regards, Rod Tulk and Family
M
Monique Villeneuve posted a condolence
Dear David and Family, Please accept our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. May all your memories be of comfort to you in your time of sorrow. Monique Villeneuve & Louis Leclerc
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Friday, January 31, 2020
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Val Wilkins posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Lois and my extended family, It is difficult to know what the right words are to say at this time when you have all lost someone who has been such a large presence in all of your lives. My heart goes out to all of you. At least Elgin is no longer suffering which is a blessing for him. I enjoyed his quick laughter at family gatherings, most especially his irreverent sense of humour. Although I cannot be with you on the 5th I am sending love and hugs to all of you. Val
J
Jennifer Jilks-Racine posted a condolence
Monday, May 30, 2011
My deepest condolences to all who knew Elgin. He was dearly loved, it was evident to me, a virtual stranger. It was my joy to visit with Elgin every Thursday as a hospice volunteer. I learned to watch hockey, and game shows with him. He had the greatest sense of humour, and was a whiz with that TV clicker. He had favourite Family Feud hosts: loved to mock the ones who were too full of themselves. I was amazed at the speed at which he answered the questions on some shows, even when he was fighting his pain or when he would doze while the commercials came on, then, quick as a wink, would use the clicker to put the sound back on. We had the most wonderful chats. He was deeply proud of his life, and deeply loved his family and spoke of them with great respect. Once I asked him a few questions... 1. Did you like school? I did like school. Sept. I was always ready to go back Christian bros. looked like priests, some were sadistic, but wouldn't hesitate to give you a good strapping. Dear Brother Valentine. He had a strap like a solid piece of rubber. In those days, when you go home crying and bruised. You’d say, I was strapped by Brother Valentine. Teaching has changed. The kids sense it in a hurry; what they can get away with. 2. What do you think are the most important things about life? Happiness covers an awful lot. Having enough money to enjoy life. Having good friends. There’s a woman in TO, her husband died four or five months ago. We went to the UK with them once. Toured England, Wales, Scotland. They were marvellous friends. He arranged everything. All we had to do was buy the plane tickets. We got off the plane he took us to Redding, rented a car took off and stayed in B and B’s every night. We used to play Bridge with them. We met them at a tournament. We invited us, we became fast friends. I’ve had some wonderful friends. 3. Who have you admired and why? I admired a couple of people. That guy from S. Africa, Mandela, survived twenty seven years in jail and I imagine they treated him pretty rough. That’s older than Winston churchill. And one of the nurses in the hospital, we got talking about health care. She said, what a socialist, Tommy Douglas. A remarkable man. Not only out of the loop, in Sask, not in the midst of stuff. A socialist and he managed to get our health care on the ground. 4. What did you do for fun in your youth? Smoked cigarettes, there wasn’t much to do! no tv, no tv games. We’d go for walks, 10 min. walk to the bush. My mother would give us 5 cent cans of pork and beans; we’d take a frying pan and bacon. In Cornwall. Where we lived it was 4 or 5 blocks to the wilderness. On Sunday eight or ten would walk in the bush.
P
Paul Hardy & Elizabeth Scott posted a condolence
Monday, May 30, 2011
Lois, our sincere condolences for your loss of Elgin; I will never forget first meeting you and Elgin nor will I forget the first time you both took me to a ‘duplicate’ game. I have fond memories of you and Elgin. Our thoughts are with you. Paul Hardy & Elizabeth Scott
D
Don Hyndman posted a condolence
Monday, May 30, 2011
My condolences Katherine. We trust you and your boys are well.
R
Rod Tulk posted a condolence
Saturday, May 28, 2011
David and family, While I never met your father, I heard plenty about him over the past decade from David. I'm sure he was a wonderful man. My condolences for your loss. Regards, Rod Tulk and Family
M
Monique Villeneuve posted a condolence
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Dear David and Family, Please accept our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. May all your memories be of comfort to you in your time of sorrow. Monique Villeneuve & Louis Leclerc
K
Keith And Pauline posted a condolence
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Keith And Pauline made a donation to Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation
During this difficult time we would like to extend our most heartfelt sympathies. Our thoughts are with you.
C
Charles and Dorothy Gauthier posted a condolence
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Charles and Dorothy Gauthier made a donation to Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation
Dear Lois We are very sorry to hear about Elgin. Our thoughts are with you on this sad occasion.
M
Margaret and Stuart posted a condolence
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Margaret and Stuart made a donation to Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation
Thinking of you at this sad time.
