Obituary of Charles Ulph

On Sunday, May 11, 2014, Charles Leroy Ulph passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side, at the age of 96 years. Charlie was born April 3, 1918, on the family farm at Bateman, the 4th child to Frank and Cora Ulph. He attended school at the Shamrock Centre and later at the school in the village of Shamrock. At the age of 12 he was sent out to work for various farmers in the area. Charlie worked hard and when the opportunity arose he and some buddies hopped in a box car on a train going to B.C. In B.C. he worked in an orchard picking apples, peaches and other fruits for a time, then found work at the Britannia Copper Mine, and later at Fort McMurray and in the Northwest Territories as a Diamond Bit Driller. He decided it was time to quit when they hit a gas pocket and the drilling rig caught fire and burnt. Charlie even tried ranching in the mountains but he said he wasn't very good at it. In 1941 he joined the Canadian Army Reserve. In 1946 he was discharged from the army without ever going overseas. In 1947 he returned to Saskatchewan and took up farming on the old Tompkins Farm north of Shamrock. Charlie married the love of his life Eileen Candlish in 1955. In 1957 they were blessed with their first child Nancy, followed by Hal in 1960. They continued to live on the farm until 1965, when they moved into the town of Shamrock, living in the Slim Bent House behind the rink. Charlie worked at many different jobs as well as farming his land. He was caretaker at the Shamrock Rink. He worked at the Shamrock Co-op for many years driving the fuel truck, fixing tires and serving customers. He also drove the school Bus to Hodgeville for one year when there was no one else to do it. Charlie still had farming on his mind and when the Cordick farm came up for sale he bought it. He worked hard planting crops and caring for the land and loved every minute of it. In the fall of 1975 they bought and moved into the Sam Smith house beside the Lion's Den. Charlie and Eileen loved this house and really made it into a home where all family and friends were always welcome. Charlie was a charter member of the Shamrock Lions Club, with 31 years of perfect attendance. He was always involved in their many projects including the Sports Day where he worked at the gate. Charlie and Eileen loved to travel and went many places, his favorite being Alaska. Charlie was an avid hunter and fisherman, going into the North Country for Moose every November. He loved to tinker in his shop, fixing things and creating windmills for the yard out of old bicycle wheels. He made an airplane out of wood that flew on a pole in the yard so they always knew which way the wind was blowing. He made a replica of the town of Shamrock as it was in 1925 out of wood and it is now displayed in the museum in Hodgeville. He loved to talk history and politics, and also to watch John Wayne movies on TV. In 2000, Charlie was given a new lease on life when he had open heart surgery, having a quadruple bypass and a leaky valve replaced. Charlie and Eileen could often be seen out walking, rain or shine, sometimes before breakfast. After retirement he became an avid gardener. He was so proud of his apple trees, rhubarb, tomatoes and other vegetables. More recently, flowers of every description filled the yard. He always shared the fruits of his labours with friends and neighbours. Farming was always in his blood and even into his nineties Charlie always looked forward to friends coming by to take him out for that tractor or combine ride, and that hunting trip to look for deer. He was very proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many a one would receive that very special "whisker rub." He loved to play cards and crib was one of his favorite games, even playing it over the phone with his sister. He taught Granddaughter Lindsey to play so he would always have a partner. And how about those after church crib games? In November of 2011 Charlie and Eileen moved to the Pioneer Villa in Gravelbourg, and in June 2013 Charlie moved to the Foyer D'Youville. Left to cherish Charlie’s memory his wife of 58 years Eileen (nee Candlish); daughter Nancy (Rene) Fortin, grandson Marc (Kerri), great grandchildren Ashley, Kylie, grandaughter Lindsey, grandson Tristan; son Hal (Lisa) Ulph, grandson Morgan (Angel), great grandson Scott, grandson Aaron, great grandchildren Ethan, Saphira; sisters Bonnie (Lloyd) Johnson, Phyllis Mckay, and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Francis and Cora (nee Allen) Ulph; great granddaughter Acacia Ulph; siblings Bill (Minerva) Ulph, Harry (Cora) Ulph, Blanche (Carl Groth & Roland Vesey), Hazel Ulph, Gladys (Wallace) Glascock. Funeral Service was held on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., at the Shamrock Community Hall, Shamrock, SK, with Fred Mathieson celebrant. Urn bearers were Tristan Fortin and Aaron Ulph. Interment took place at the Shamrock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Charlie may be made to the Shamrock United Church, c/o Pat Arnold, Shamrock, SK S0H 3W0, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, 152 Wilson St., Oakville, ON L6K 0G6, or a Charity of Choice. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.