FATH, Philip Stephen 1916 – 2014

Fath,  Philip Stephen, formerly of Champion, passed away at the Vulcan Community Health Centre October 25, 2014 surrounded by his family, at the age of 98 years.

Dad was born on the farm West of Champion on May 26, 1916 to Stephen & Anna. Dad had one sister Helen and four brothers, Robert, Jerry, Harvey and Allan.

Growing up dad went to school by horse and wagon to Champion. In grade six the family moved to Calgary and dad attended St Mary’s Boys School. He enjoyed school and would often talk about summers playing ball against other Catholic schools. They also played Football in the fall and in the winter would flood a big corner lot across the street and skate and play hockey.

Dad served mass under Father Cunningham for several years. Uncle Robert & dad became favorite servers of Father Cunningham and would serve at many weddings & funerals. Dad & Robert enjoyed this as like any boy growing up – this got them out of school for a couple of hours on several occasions.
In 1932 the family moved back to the farm west of Champion to farm once again. Dad left school at this time and worked with family, cousins and many different farmers doing what he could to help out. Dad would talk about the dirty thirties as harsh times, with poor crops and terrible dust storms but choose to remember more the good times with family and friends.

Dad, like many, was called up for military service in 1942 and choose the Air Force. He was taught hydraulics, under carriage, tires, wing and tail controls, metal fatigue and this being Canada, a lot about de-icing equipment. By the time he was transferred to Moncton’s transport squadron he was a certified airframe mechanic. You name it they hauled it. Dad was discharged from the service in October 1945 and returned to Champion renovating and building homes in the area.

1947 was the first time my dad met our mom. By chance dad was in Calgary helping Father Reg clean out a junk room. The doorbell rang and looking through a window they could see it was my mom. Dad was smitten from that moment on. They dated for about 10 months and in October 1948 dad proposed, they were married February 10th 1949 in Calgary. They were together 63 years before moms passing in 2012.
Together in 1949 they moved to the Segal place west of Champion and with a section & half of rented land took a chance on farming and started a family. They stayed on that farm until 1955 but when the owners decided to return to farming they would have to move. They had hoped to build a home on Fath Hill but could not find good water. One story goes that one of the wells drilled hit gas, started on fire and burnt for 3 weeks. Any ways, with no luck there they pulled up the stakes, drove to town and built their home in Champion.

Dad farmed for over 30 years before turning the farm over to Glenn in 1976. After farming dad settled easily into to retirement, with grand kids to attend to and his many, many hobbies to keep him busy. Carpentry being the one that comes to mind first. He also dabbled in miniature trains as anyone that came to our home would soon find out. The Champion school for several years made a field trip over to the house for the kids to take a look and play. Later on it became scroll work and he would make the most beautiful artwork out of a plain old piece of wood. Many of our most treasured possessions from dad are those pieces. Soon again everyone was asking for his time and he taught many of the grand kids and kids from school how to run his saw and they in turn would head home with their own little treasures.
Dad was an Honorary Life member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Champion Lions Club, the Legion, the Curling Club and the Pioneer Club in Champion. Dad loved farming, carpentry, sports, travel, camping and hobby trains just to name a few.

We all remember dad loving a good game of Cribbage – Anytime, anywhere was a good time for Crib. He taught pretty much all the grand kids how to play as well. He enjoyed very much whipping us boys at pool any chance he could get or learning new games like golf and bowling on the Wii. He enjoyed playing catch and watching sports on TV… The Calgary Stampede and Chucks were always a huge favorite. Not to forget a good Western or John Wayne movie from time to time.

Philip is survived by two daughters – Linda (Patrick) Moore and Gaye (Roy) Lucas, three sons – Glenn (Connie), Allan (Lesley) and Darrell (Sherri), 16 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Two brothers Harvey and Allan (Pat) Fath. Philip was predeceased by his parents Stephen and Anna, siblings and spouses Jerry (Eileen) Fath, Helen (Otto Strauss) and Robert (Joyce) Fath, sister – law Muriel Fath and beloved wife Kaye in 2012.

Memorial Mass was held on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 2 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Champion, Fr. Tim Boyle officiating. Inurnment at the Champion Cemetery.

Tributes in Philip’s memory can be made to the Vulcan Community Health Centre, Long Term Care Unit, Box 299, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0 or the Champion Pioneer Club, Box 88, Champion, AB T0L 0R0.

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