Obituary of Clifford Paton

Clifford James Paton of Gravelbourg, SK passed away on November 12, 2014, at the age of 91 years. Clifford was born in the Gravelbourg District on November 3, 1923, and was the only child of Jim and Carrie (nee Bekker) Paton. He began his education at Gauthier School, north of Gravelbourg. After elementary school, he took two years by a correspondence course, and then spent two years at Gravelbourg High School. Clifford attended Central Collegiate in Moose Jaw for his grade 12 year, as his dad was employed in the city for the winter. During his school years Clifford farmed with his dad, but after the harvest in 1942, Clifford joined the R.C.A.F. in Regina. He was then posted in Moose Jaw to the W.E.T.P. trade school, and from there to Montreal, QC for basic training. Clifford then went to St. Thomas for trade school, and Ottawa, Rockcliff for mail distribution, and to the Halifax Distribution Centre. He then went to the Bombing and Gunnery School at Greenwood, NS , where he trained pilots from many different countries. Although Clifford applied many times for an overseas posting, he remained in Canada. Clifford was able to occasionally go on leave to help his dad with harvest, and returned home when he was discharged after V.E. Day in 1945. On August 17, 1945, Clifford married Addie Frank, in Moose Jaw. They were blessed with two children, Pat and Terry. In 1947, they bought the Neil Bekker farm 12 miles northeast of Gravelbourg. Clifford was active on many boards in the community, such as the Three Rivers Telephone Company, Bekker School Board, Saskatchewan Pool Director, Wiwa Creek C & D Board, Elder at St. Stephen’s United Church, and Civic Centre Board of Directors. Clifford also helped in the building of the Wood River Civic Centre. He joined the Gravelbourg Lions Club in 1964, and was a lifetime member. Clifford and Addie enjoyed traveling together, and followed the Silver Broom Word Curling to Switzerland, Sweden, United States and Canada. They also visited Hawaii, Mainland USA, Mexico and Denmark. In 1980, Clifford and Addie bought a house in Gravelbourg and moved to town. Clifford continued to farm from town until his retirement. Clifford will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Clifford is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Addie (nee Frank); son Pat (Lilly) Paton, grandson Scott Paton (Karena Monroe), granddaughter Sandie (Joceran) Salat, great granddaughter Nève; son Terry (Dr. Gillian) Paton, granddaughters Ava, Frankie, grandson Jack; brothers and sisters-in-law Henry (Avis) Frank, Otto (Norma) Frank, Edna (Earl) Hill, Ruth (David) Hogg, Del Swanson, Eleanor (Bob) Laveille, Enid Laughy, Colleen Frank. Predeceased by his parents James and Carrie (nee Bekker) Paton; in-laws Henry and Christina (nee Hahn) Frank; sisters and brothers-in-law Elizabeth (George) Bromberger, Eva (Nick) Gheress, Phillip Frank, Chris (Irene) Frank, Rose (Cecil) Stewart, Norman Frank, Willy Victor Frank, Dean Swanson, Jim Laughy. Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Gravelbourg, SK, with Reverend Linda Tomlinson-Seebach officiant. Readers were Gene Frank, Russel Paton and Reverend David Moore. The eulogists were Adrian Paton and Val Guilleman. Urn bearers were Clifford’s Grandchildren. Pianist was Leanne Mann and piper was Thomas Green. An honour guard was formed by the Gravelbourg Lions Club. Interment took place at the Hillside Cemetery, Gravelbourg, SK. Memorial donations in memory of Clifford to the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, St. Stephen’s United Church Memorial Fund, Box 145, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0 and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency for Provincial Research, #204 3775 Pasqua St., Regina, SK S4S 6W8, were greatly appreciated.