Obituary of Hugh Leonard Almond BRAWLEY

Hugh Leonard Almond Brawley of Moose Jaw, SK, passed away suddenly at his home on September 8, 2012, at the age of 74 years. Hugh, the youngest son of Thomas and Cassie (nee Hughes) was born on October 1, 1937, at Kincaid, SK. He grew up in the Horse Creek District south of McCord and attended Patriotic School. Riding to school on horseback he developed a love for horses and could ride standing up on his favorite pony. Hugh first started farming at the age of 14, when his mother bought him and his brother a Massey Harris tractor and a one-way from the Kuffner Brothers in Glentworth. Hugh put his heart and soul into raising cattle and farming the land. Harvest was his favourite time of the year; he loved the smell of the harvest grain. For this reason alone he sold his mixed farming operation in McCord in 1984 and purchased prime farm land at Rouleau, SK. He moved on May 18, 1984 to the farm in Rouleau. After he moved his favourite quote was "I grew 10 times more grain in the first year at Rouleau on half as much land as I had in the last 10 years down home.” McCord was always home. He missed the people and could detain you for long periods of time when you went for a visit, asking about all his old neighbours. He often returned to visit the graveyard where his parents were buried and enjoyed the countryside. Hugh was a skilled self-taught mechanic and would rather fix and repair than buy new. He took time to travel to many parts of the world, crossing the ocean by boat at the age of 10 and returning several times to visit his parent’s native land of Northern Ireland. Other points of interest took him to New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico and parts of the United States. He enjoyed showing his Irish cousins the mountains of British Columbia. In 2000, Hugh retired from farming and moved to Moose Jaw. Like all the Irish, Hugh had a stubborn side but a belly full of laughter when he laughed. Hugh was a devoted son, brother, special friend, god-father, true cousin, best man several times, rancher, farmer and generous neighbour (what was his was yours for the asking). Most of all, Hugh was the most faithful and generous uncle anyone could have. The family thanks Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels for their excellent professional care and arrangements and to the McCord community for your compassion and lunch in a facility well deserving of a lot of praise. Hugh is survived by his brother Benjamin Brawley of Burnaby, BC; niece Shannon (Marco) Tremblay and their daughter Sheridan of Lethbridge, AB; niece Maureen (Ronald) Kuffner of Glentworth, SK and their 4 children, Christine (Darcy) Campbell and children Devan and Jessica of Saskatoon, SK, Kathy (Darryl) Eklund and children Daphene, Ty and Trae of the Horse Creek District south of McCord, SK, Lisa (Dexter) Packet and children Jaelynne, Dayton and Raela of Lafleche, SK, Kevin Kuffner and children Colwyn, Cassie Rose, Chanse and Kane of Glentworth, SK; niece Margaret Hack of Regina, SK, and her 3 children, Corinne (Kevin) Cline and son Brad Collins of Regina, SK, Carol Hack and sons Mikeal and Brayden-Lee of Regina, SK, Trevor (Paula) Hack and daughters Skyla and Kyra of Regina, SK; niece Shellie (Robert) Achter of Hazenmore, SK and their 3 children, Angie Achter (Ryan Bennett) and children Alyssa and Ryley of Swift Current, SK, Chris (Charla) Achter and children Keira, Raina and Hayden of Hazenmore, SK, Candlle Achter (Chad Duckworth) of Swift Current; niece Lois (Larry) Priddell of Consort, AB and sons Dallas and Dustin. Predeceased by his father Thomas Francis Brawley (February 18, 1944); mother Cassie Brayton (December 22, 1966); stepfather Maurice Brayton (February 3, 1971); sister Mae Barber (July 12, 2011); brother-in-law Leonard Barber (March 24, 1983); nephew-in-law Fred Hack (January 24, 2010). Funeral Service was held on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., at the McCord Hall, McCord, SK, with Reverend Mathias Ross officiant. The eulogy was shared by Maureen Kuffner. Readers were Christine Campbell and Angie Achter. Urn bearers were Shellie Achter and Lois Priddell. Honour guard was "All those who shared in Hugh’s life.” Interment took place at the Ferland Roman Catholic Cemetery, Ferland, SK. Memorial donations in memory of Hugh to the McCord Hall, Box 89, McCord, SK S0H 2T0, were greatly appreciated. Photo memorial prepared by Angie Achter (Bennett).