Grandpa's Story - Written by his Children. Frederick Rudolph "Roy" Ruberry, was the first child to Fred and Lily Ruberry, born in Sasktoon, SK on June 27, 1914. At the age of 1, he and his parents returned to Cornwall, England; the birthplace of his parents. ÌýWhile his dad was enlisted in the First World War, he and his mom lived on the farm in England (This may have been the start of Dad's love of tending to cattle). At the age of 6, they returned to Canada and settled in the Dodsland area where Fred started farming. After several years of hardship and draught, they moved further north to the Baldwinton area. They homesteaded on a farm sit with no buildings. With winter fast approaching and no money to buy a house, Fred nailed two old wooded granaries together and covered them with sod to help insulate the buildings. This would be their new home with their 5 children: Roy, Mel, Raymond, Myra and Iris. Only a few miles up the road, lived an Italian family, the Vidottos'. It was there that Roy found the love of his life; Dolly Vidotto. They were married on October 30, 1939. Roy worked very hard to look after his wife and their five children. He raised cattle, pigs and chickens. ÌýHe would go and work for neighboring farmers harvesting in the fall. ÌýHe would cut mountains of wood for heating the house all winter. It was getting very tight living in a three room house with 5 children and mom and with no electricity or running water. So in 1952, he bought a farm in the Vance School District. On the home quarter, there was a big, beautiful three bedroom house with a lovely covered veranda. He continued to farm, raise animals and milk cattle. ÌýEvery morning and evening the entire family took part in milking their 20 cows. The reward would be a case of pop at Christmas time. Dad was a very humble and gentle man; a perfect example of love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. He never wanted for anything more than a healthy loving family (and maybe a bag of potatoes). In 1992, his daughter Esther passed away from cancer at the age of 52. This broke Dad's heart, but never shattered his faith in God. At the turn of the century, dad was inflicted with macular degeneration, which would eventually lead to blindness. Even while suffering through this most difficult challenge, dad would not complain and explained that "everything was Hunkie Dorie." During his years of blindness, he and mom would remain very independent. When we asked him, "Do you need anything?" he would reply, "Oh no, I have everything I need and I want for nothing." Fondest Memories from his children: EDWIN recalls the cool spring day in April 1951 when his dad brought home his new tractor. All the kids were loaded in the sleigh box while dad drove the powerful new tractor straight thru the snow drifts instead of going around them. Dad would enjoy the use of this tractor for many years to come. KATHLEEN: one of my fondest memories of dad was having our meals out in the field at harvest time; with our whole family sitting on a blanket. Dad would tell us "how blessed we all are because we live in such a beautiful world and how lucky he was to have his family to share it with." ELROY recalls a quiet talk with his dad after a long days work "out west". The land "out west" was rough, bushy land and difficult to farm at times. But to dad, this was where he felt most at home. Dad explained how he felt safe and content working this rough piece of land. These few words dad shared helped me understand how deeply rooted dad was to the land and his faith in God. WAYNE: From a young age, I learned two things from dad that would be very important during my adult years; driving and farming. In those days, if you were old enough to climb on the combine, you were expected to learn to drive it and do your part on the farm. Dad had a 26 Super Masey, a little intimidating for a little guy, but it wasn't long until I learned how to drive around the field while dad stood in the back bagging the brohm grass seed. I could drive alright,, but had a little trouble with the big hand clutch. ÌýMy muscles were not what they are today. But try as I might, I could not pull the big hand clutch back. When we reached the corner of the field, dad calmly leaned over and put his big hand over my little hand and together we pulled it back. Thanks dad, for reaching for my hand whenever I needed one. For my Aunt Esther, I thought I would use the words of J.R.R. Tolkien…
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"All that is Gold does not Glitter;
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither;
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be King." Ìý
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Mr. Frederick Rudolph "Roy" Ruberry of North Battleford passed away peacefully on October 23, 2014 at the age of 100 years. A funeral service was held on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. from the Third Avenue United Church with Reverend Frances Patterson officiating. Interment followed the luncheon in the Baldwinton Cemetery, Baldwinton, Saskatchewan. Memorial donations in memory of Roy may be directed to the CNIB (Canadian National Institute For The Blind) 1705 McKercher Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N6. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium, North Battleford, SK. ÌýCondolences for the family may be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca
