Obituary of Geoffrey Dawson

Geoffrey Dawson was born in the Baildon District (south of Moose Jaw) on December 5, 1933. He was the youngest of 3 children-he went to Baildon School until Grade 9. Shortly after he started working in the construction industry. He attended SIAST in Saskatoon, working through his apprenticeship, receiving his Journeymen Certificate in 1958. During the apprenticing years, he worked in various locations in Saskatchewan. He did everything from cement foundations (no Ready Mix then!), re-facing a Drive-In theatre, building hospitals, schools and various projects-the largest being a major upgrade to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. While building the addition onto the Ceylon Public School, it was there that he met his future bride, Shirley Temsland. The were united in marriage October 20, 1958. In 1960 they were blessed with a son, Richard Geoffrey- and in 1961 Geoff joined the Beaver Lumber Company. This involved supervising a crew to erect new lumber yards and in winter months, renovating existing ones. The family lived in a mobile home (referred to as cabooses in some areas) so were able to pick up and move to the various locations-26 in all- many of them in northern Saskatchewan. In 1962, a daughter was born on November 7. In 1965, Beaver Lumber Company expanded their retail market to building RTM Manufactured Homes. This brought the family to Swift Current and Geoff headed up the plant to house and market the product. In 1965, the Swift Current plant outgrew the location and moved to Yorkton where Geoff, again, set up the manufacturing of the homes, which were delivered to many areas in western Canada. It was in Swift Current that the well travelled mobile home was sold and the family lived in the house that Geoff built. Then, in 1972, due to plant closure, Geoff worked for Windsor Plywood-only for a short time since, once again, opportunity came knocking, and he started working with the Yorkdale School Division- doing whatever was needed in all the rural schools within the division to keep them in tip top shape. He truly enjoyed working with the staff and students at all the schools until retiring in 1998. Geoff and Shirley purchased a cabin at Good Spirit Lake in 1987. There the growing family spent many enjoyable hours at the cabin doing wiener roasts, playing horse shoes, finding frogs, enjoying water sports and particularly going to the sand dunes. Grandpa, with patience and some teasing, spent hours teaching the grandchildren his skills and tricks. The cabin was sold in 2014 and the whole family went to Mexico for " Christmas at the Cabin". Geoff enjoyed, especially in his younger years, hunting in the southern part of the province. It was with great pride that he got a moose while hunting in northern Saskatchewan. Golfing on a casual basis grew into a full time endeavor upon retirement, always trying to attain a par score. Gardening, keeping the home and surroundings in tip top shape, and trying his hand at curling were some of the other things that kept him busy in retirement. Occasionally he stepped into the Harley shop for a coffee and a chin wag with the guys. Quite often he could be found in his shop or in the garage repairing a mower or snowblower or other random items. Almost anything could be found (usually only by him) in Dad's Shop when family or neighbours came looking for the something they needed. Geoff spent countless hours designing a jig and made his own cross country skis. As the family grew the grandchildren were truly a light in grandpa's eye - and often times could be seen playing with them at the park close to the family home. Many snow forts were built in the snow grandpa blew into high drifts in the front yard. Geoff & Shirley moved to Erichsen Place in 2015. Geoff enjoyed time at Lions Day Wellness before having to make a move to Melody Manor in the Yorkton & District Nursing Home where he remained until his passing. He made many new friends and always had a smile for anyone who greeted him. Geoff passed away on January 4, 2019. His infectious smile will be missed by all. Geoff was predeceased by his parents, Thomas & Mary Dawson, Shirley's parents, Severt & Grace Temsland, sister Lillian Nettleton and husband Albert, Brother John Dawson, Brother in law Edwin Temsland, Son in Law David Miskolczi, Niece Brenda (Temsland) Doud, and Nephew Ryan Stadnick. Geoff is survived by and will ever cherish his memory: Shirley, his loving wife of 60 years: Son Richard (Rick) Dawson and son Kane Geoffrey; Rick's daughter Jasmine & husband Josh Bachman and their son Jonah: Paula Lindsay and her children: Daughter Leanne & husband Ken Schuster: and 2 daughters: Jennifer and husband Kevin Brownlee and children Ty and Eva; and Kari Ann and husband Colby Robin and children Keegan and Emmitt: and Ken's Children. Also sister in law Winona Temsland, and Wilma Dawson as well as nieces and nephews and friends. - Rest in Peace Geoff- your work is done- Service Details. Service When: Thursday, January 10th, 2019 11:00am Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Interment Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK