HOVDEBO, Cecil Henry 1942 – 2016

Cecil Henry Hovdebo March 28, 1942 ~ February 28, 2016

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Cec who passed away at the Vulcan Community Health Centre February 28, 2016 at the age of 73 years.

Cec was born in Pierceland, SK to Nels and Tillie Hovdebo and weighed less than 5 lbs! Grandpa and Grandma Hovdebo packed up Dad and older brother, Uncle Neil and moved west of Prince Albert when Dad was around 3 years old. At a young age dad was already playing ball and Grandpa took him to White Star for a ball tournament and that is where he first met mom. They eventually started dating and were married June 30th, 1962. Deb was born the following June. Soon after they moved up to Thompson, MB where Dad worked at the INCO mine. Jasper was born there in 1965. Dad and Mom were excited to move back to Prince Albert in the fall of 1967 when Dad landed a job at the Federal Penitentiary working in custody. The following year they moved to the acreage west of the Pen where dad grew up. Dad also continued to play ball through the years and was known as “Rubber Arm” to many! But mom was able to drag him up to Candle Lake and this became our summer home until we moved up to Candle Lake on a permanent basis after dad was taken hostage at the Pen in 1977. Dad returned to work at the Pen as the Staff Training Co-ordinator, commuting everyday until he retired in 1995 after 28 years of service.

Dad was an accomplished cabinet maker and wood worker throughout his life, leaving his mark with family, friends and community. Dad and Mom were always very active volunteers in their communities. Dad was the first Fire Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department of Candle Lake and remained in that role for 27 years. It was at this time they moved to Lomond, AB. Dad and Mom didn’t take too long to become part of the wonderful community of Lomond, AB. Dad particularly enjoyed his daily chats on “coffee row” and going to the Senior’s Hall to watch sports, share stories and eat snacks Grannie wouldn’t allow at home! Papa Cec always had a tale to tell about his grandsons and great-grand children. He and Grammie were huge influences in the kids’ lives and they will always cherish their memories. Dad’s health wasn’t the greatest these past several years and he was a challenge for Mom to keep him on the straight and narrow! When Mom became ill herself earlier this year, it must have been too much for Dad and he didn’t want to be a worry as they learned she was to face a tough journey through terminal lung cancer. After suffering a stroke the evening of February‘26th, 2016, Dad passed away peacefully on February 28th, 2016 at the Vulcan Hospital where Mom is being taken care of.

He is survived by his longtime companion and wife of 53 years, Dorothy (nee Cook); his daughter Debra Bachek (Kim) and grandchildren Kyle Hovdebo (Kailee) and great-grandchildren Harper and Mavrick; Jordan Hovdebo and Myles Hovdebo; step grandchildren Chantel Bachek, Danis Bachek-Latimer (Cody) and their children Cade and Luke and Talisa Bachek; his son Kenton (Jasper) Hovdebo and grandchildren Conrad Hovdebo and Samuel Hovdebo and their mother Lisa. He is also survived by his mother-in-law May Cook, sister-in-law Judy Bruce (Les), and brother-in-law Dale Hewison. Cec was predeceased by his parents Nels and Tillie Hovdebo, his brother Neil Hovdebo, his father-in-law Edward Cook, and sister-in-law Sandra (Cook) Hewison.

A Family Memorial will take place at a later date. Inurnment Candle Lake Cemetery, Candle Lake, Saskatchewan.

In lieu of other tributes and flowers, donations can be made to a very special charity to both Dad and Mom. As the Fire Chief at Candle Lake for 27 years it was truly a passion of his. Both Dad and Mom volunteered many years with the Sask 100 Snowmobile Rally at Candle Lake and the Saskatchewan Professional Firefighter’s Association Burn Fund was one of the most special charities they worked with. Dad would be honored to have any tributes to him be made to that very important charity.

There are two ways these donations can be made. Mail cheque to: SPFFA Burn Fund, c/o Brian Belitsky, 62 Milne Bay, Yorkton, SK S3N 3Z8, OR directly on-line by going to:

Saskatchewan Professional Fire Fighters Association Burn Fund
www.burnfund.ca

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.