Obituary of Neil Brown

It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa on January 24th, 2008 at the age of 72 years. Neil is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Marilyn, daughters Kathy Gow (Ron) and grandson Bryan, Karren Brown (Lance Adams) and grandson Christopher (Tara) Zanidean, grandaughters Jennifer Zanidean (Bill Dyck) and Erin Zanidean (Matt Bradley) and their father Ed Zanidean, and by his son Kenneth Brown (Lori Cassie and son Steven). Neil is also survived by his three precious great-grandaughters Patience & Grace Dyck and Megan Zanidean, sister-in-law Mary Brown and numerous nieces and nephews. Neil was predeceased by his parents Benjamin and Laura Brown and by his siblings Thearon (WWII), Lawerence, Gordon (Shorty), Burnard, Clair, Bruce, Dewayne, his only sister Mary (Sis) Johnson, nephew Danny Nelson, and his beloved mother-in-law Helen Sawatsky. The youngest of nine children, Neil was born in Gull Lake, Sask. on December 31, 1935. He grew up in the Antelope district and attended the Kemmill Hill school. Neil took his high schooling in Moose Jaw and at Gull Lake High School. When his parents retired in 1957, Neil took over the family farming and sheep ranching operation. On November 17, 1958 Neil married his Forever Sweetheart Marilyn Sawatsky. They resided on the Brown family homestead until 1963 when they moved to Gull Lake with their two young daughters. After a brief stint driving a dry-cleaning truck, Neil moved his family to Shackleton, Sask where he managed the grocery store as well as a small implement dealership in Abbey, Sask. After the family returned to Gull Lake, Neil and Marilyn took over operation of the Skating Rink concession for a brief period. Never losing his love for the land, Neil eventually formed a custom combining company and spent the next few years following the harvest from Texas back to Canada. During this time, the family was blessed with the birth of their third child, a son. Because family was so important to Neil, he sold the combining equipment and opened the Gull Lake Food Centre (later to become the IGA). After selling the grocery store, he went to work for Wilton Motors in Swift Current and earned the ‘Top Salesman’ award numerous times. Because of his success in car sales, Neil opened and operated Central Sales as a local car dealership and repair shop. During this time, he also opened the Pop-Inn, an arcade/pool hall/hamburger shack which provided employment for his girls and their friends. Neil also drove school bus on the Webb route for several years. After the closing of these businesses, Neil went to work as a grader operator for the RM of Piapot, and the RM of Webb. He then moved into the trucking industry, hauling oil for Klassen Bros, Goulet Trucking, and then for Koch Oil. Neil finally gave into his life-long passion for antiques and opened antique stores in Gull Lake on three different occassions. He loved socializing at auction sales and with his customers and formed many new and lasting friendships. He also sold antiques via the internet and had customers as far away as Japan. Neil was always involved in local sports, playing baseball with various teams including the Lakers and he helped pull off the prank of the century as one of the creators of the ‘Queen and Her Court’ baseball team that challenged the local ladies softball team to a match. He also became a hockey referee and officiated countless games in town over the years. Neil loved to go fishing and he made a few fly-in fishing trips up north in addition to trying his luck at all the local spots. He was an avid curler and enjoyed several trips to the mid-summer bonspeil in Nelson, BC with his friends. In 1972, Neil took the vacation of a lifetime when he travelled across Canada and to Russia for the Canada-Russia Summit hockey series. He loved to reminisce about witnessing the ‘shot heard ’round the world’ when Paul Henderson scored the winning goal. Neil was a member of the B.P.O. Elks and served as the Exaulted Ruler. He served on the town council from 1976-78. He also became an honorary Kinsmen member, refereeing their local hockey games, and enjoyed travelling to the Perogie Cup. Neil spent his leisure time playing Cribbage, Bridge, Whist, and Poker with his friends. He also dabbled in woodworking, creating some fine keepsakes for his family. He was a fixture at coffee row and enjoyed meeting with his friends every day. But, most of all, Neil was a true family man. He took his family on wonderful trips and gave us a lifetime of memories. He taught his children the value of hard-work and of honesty. Those who truly knew him understood that, beneath the sometimes gruff exterior, he was not only a true and loyal friend but also a truly good and decent man. Neil will be sadly missed by all who knew him and he will never be forgotten by those of us who loved him. Funeral services for Neil were held at the Gull Lake Alliance Church on Monday, January 29, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gord Willison officiating. A private Interment of his cremated remains took place at the Gull Lake Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Neil Brown may do so with a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Gull Lake Ambulance Service. “Our family chain has broken, this chapter’s at an end. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.” For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit our website at parksidefunerahome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.