Albert William Griffin was born December 23, 1929 at Alameda, SK to Charles and Mabel (Dies) Griffin, and passed away peacefully on May 17, 2013 at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home with his family at his side. Anyone who knew Dad, would know that he was one of the most devout Christians following his Lord faithfully and being a Pillar example of a Christian friend and father until his passing on Friday afternoon. Dad moved with his family to the Orcadia/Phone Hill district in 1934 where his family rented and farmed land. Dad attended the Phone Hill School until grade 7 after which he left to help his family with farming. Growing up Dad enjoyed skating, playing ball (pitching), hockey (although he only scored one and only goal). Dad trained all his own dogs and braided a lot of dog and horse harnesses for his pets and others He also started his woodworking career early as a child building all kinds of projects such as the sleighs that his dogs pulled for himself and others. In 1952 Dad bought three quarters of land with his Dad and brother. They farmed this land together for eight years. In 1960, Dad bought out his Dad and brother and farmed the land by himself. In the spring of 1954 he met the love of his life Esther Dorothy Wirth. They were married November 16, 1956 and were married for 56 years less four days. To this marriage Mom and Dad were blessed with three children, Mabel, Janet and Lyle. Dad was a grain farmer and raised cattle, and also had the odd pig and chicken around the farmyard. In his son's eyes (Lyle), his father was the one who could make, build and do anything, Dad built the majority of his Nelson Home in 1968, He could fix anything including his and his neighbor's machinery. Dad was always building, or making things for his children such as flooding skating rinks, making igloos, building a sleigh for behind the ski-doo that ran all day the first day he brought it home, building a tree house, bale forts and anything else that would make his children's lives more fun. Dad always had time to play ball, ski, fish, hunt, snowmobile and golf with his family and grandchildren. He also drove school bus for 21 years for the Churchbridge schools, hauling many, many children back and forth from home to school. In 1992 Mom and Dad sold the farm and moved to Yorkton where he was able to spend more time golfing, bowling and spending more time with his children and grandchildren. Dad continued to be actively involved with the Church of the Nazarene as Church Treasurer. In 2009 Mom and Dad moved to Queen Elizabeth Court where he resided until November, 2011 when he transferred to "Porchlight Care Home" until February 2012 when he was admitted to the "Melville Nursing Home" and shortly after to the "Yorkton Nursing Home" (Weber House), four doors down from Mom, where he received wonderful care until his passing on May 17 of 2013. Albert was predeceased by his loving wife, Esther on November 12, 2012; his parents, Charles in 1968 and Mabel in 1979; his older sister, Lula AnnaMae Griffin in 1925 and his firstborn grandson, Kenton William Thomas in 2009. He is survived by his children and their families, Mabel (Ivan) Ryhorchuk and son, Drew of Melfort, Sask.; Janet (Dave) Thomas and son, MacKenzie of Yorkton, Sask.; and Lyle (Rachel) Griffin and daughters, Andrea and Brittany of Yorkton Sask. The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home, Yorkton, SK with Pastor Brian Kirsch officiating. The organist, Alice Peters and guitarist, son-in-law, Dave Thomas played prelude music. Albert's granddaughter, Andrea Griffin sang "Temporary Home", his granddaughter, Brittany read a poem for Grandpa, grandsons, Drew Ryhorchuk and MacKenzie Thomas read tributes to Grandpa. Albert's children, Mabel, Janet and Lyle also remembered their Dad in tribute. Special taped music selections included "Daddy's Hands", "Telephone in Heaven" and "Because You Loved Me". Following a reception in the George Gunn Memorial Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home, the internment took place in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens at Yorkton, SK. The pallbearers were Drew Ryhorchuk, MacKenzie Thomas, Jim Atcheson, Allan Atcheson, Elmer Aichele, Randy Trost, Tim Yanke and Garfield Bonnell. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made, to the "Good Spirit Bible Camp" in memory of Albert Griffin. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
