Obituary of Thomas Frederick William "Fred" Tiller

A memorial folder from the funeral service may be printed under the "Memories" tab, then choose "Memorial Program". TILLER - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear father and grandfather, Fred Tiller on February 2, 2012. Fred was born at Wolseley, the son of Tom and Edith Tiller. He received his academic education in his native town and on graduation from the Collegiate began clerking in the Oldfield Drug Store, remaining on staff for ten years. In 1942 he moved to Regina to study accountancy and worked for E.S. Biggs, a chartered accountant, for two years. He then accepted employment with the Department of Municipal Affairs in Regina and remained with the Saskatchewan government for five years. In February, 1948, Fred accepted a position as Assistant City Clerk with the City of Yorkton. For the next 33 years Fred worked for the City of Yorkton, retiring as City Administrator in 1981. On December 26, 1942 Fred married May Macdonald and their union was blessed with three children: Cheryl, Mac, and Tom. In his early years Fred's interests were mainly in the music field, he was band master for the Wolseley Town Band and he also had a small dance band that travelled the mainline and played at many local events. He also enjoyed playing tennis and other sports. Fred was a member of the Yorkton Masonic Lodge, joining in 1952. He held the District Deputy Master position at one point and assisted in establishing the local Masonic Temple. Fred and May also had a cottage at Melville Beach on Crooked Lake, building from the ground up in 1951. Many hours were spent working on and keeping up the property, but always enjoying every minute of being in the outdoors - watching the kids (his own, the neighbors and in later years his grandchildren) waterski, raking weeds out of the water in front of the cottage and moving rocks from the water onto the shore bank. Upon retirement, they purchased a motorhome and enjoyed many travels and adventures across Canada and the United States. Two of his favorite travel memories were their trips to Newfoundland and the Oregon Coast. Then in 1989 they made the decision to move to Saskatoon to be closer to their daughter Cheryl and her family. They purchased a new home in a condo complex where Fred spent many hours tending the lawn and flower beds and participated in the successful management of their condo association. When May passed away in 2005, Fred was fortunate to have his family, friends and neighbors close by. In fact at times you almost had to make an appointment to go see him because his friends were always taking him here or there or he would be cooking dinner for his friends! The summer of 2007 saw Fred spend time during the summer with Mac and Cheryl back in Yorkton. It was wonderful to see him outside from dawn to dusk, working in the yard, listening for the sand hill cranes or purple martins, and sipping a glass of scotch while watching the sunset. He was always open to travel and exploring, in fact at the age of 94 he travelled on his own to spend Christmas with Tom and Debbie in Nanaimo! In April 2008 Fred made the move back to Yorkton and has called The Bentley his home ever since. Once again, he was quick to make new acquaintances and friends, always smiling or whistling and ever ready with a quick wit remark. He was a soul who brought a smile and warmth with him, no matter where he was or what he was doing. Fred was predeceased by his wife May and his brother Wilson. Left to celebrate Fred's wonderful life of 95 years and 10 months are his sister Faye, daughter Cheryl (Joe) Rakochy, sons Mac (Cheryl) Tiller and Tom (Debbie) Tiller; grandchildren Darin (Cindy) Churchill, Leigh Anne Ouellet (Ward Williams), Jason (Nicole) Tiller, Jason (Vanessa) Rakochy, James (Connie) Rakochy, Jeff (Patience) Rakochy; great grandchildren Spencer Churchill, Gabriel Churchill, Mathieu Ouellet, Brielle Ouellet, Aidan Tiller, Madeline Tiller, Triton Rakochy, Jadlyn Rakochy, Julian Rakochy, Jack Rakochy. We would like to sincerely thank The Bentley staff for always treating Fred so well, the nurses on 3rd South, 2nd South and 1st East for the compassion, care and comfort over the past three weeks, and to the homecare and palliative caregivers for the help and care provided both at home and in the hospital. A very special and heartfelt thanks to Dr. J.J. Vorster, a man who always had time for Fred, was always very kind, caring and so very respectful to both Fred and the family. In keeping with Fred's wishes, no funeral service will be held.. His ashes will be placed by immediate family with his wife in the columbarium at St. John's Anglican Cathedral in Saskatoon. In lieu of flowers, we would ask that donations be made to the HomeCare/Palliative Care unit at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre (send to Bailey's Funeral Home, 45 5th Ave. N. Yorkton, SK S3N 0Y9). Condolences may be e-mailed to baileysfuneralhome@sasktel.net Fred's was a life well lived; a life well loved! A Successful Man That man is a success - Who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; Who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who leaves the world better than he found it; Who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; Who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had. - Author unknown.