LESLIE (LES) JAMES FORBISTER

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a dear husband, father and grandfather on Tuesday, January 6th, 2015.  Les was born on October 5th, 1930 in Oakville, MB.  While in Manitoba, Les farmed and looked after a herd of cattle.  Les came to Saskatchewan in 1954 and began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway on the section at Mortlach, Parkbeg and Secretan until 1958, when he went to work on the CPR dragline.  He married Ethel Spark in December 1959 and they began their lives together living in Moose Jaw, SK.  In the spring of 1962 they moved to Mortlach and resided there ever since.  He advanced to a Grade 1 maintainer in the Maintenance of Way shop in Regina in 1968.  He transferred to Moose Jaw in February 1973 and worked there until he retired in October 1995.  Les was proud of his 42 years as a CPR employee.  His love and enjoyment of trains and all things associated with them continued to last throughout his retirement.  Les’ natural mechanical ability was continually put to use repairing everything from vehicles to children’s toys.  Christmas was a special time of year when he took great pride in Christmas lights and would excitedly wait to display his work to his children and grandchildren.  Les called himself a lucky man.  He married the love of his life, Ethel, and they had 55 years of marriage filled with timeless love.  He was extremely proud of his three children and the lives they have built.  He was equally proud of his grandchildren for all their accomplishments and the promise of things to come.  He was predeceased by his parents, Gilbert and Mary; sisters: Myrtle (Glen), Marion, Ellinor (Ernest) and Hazel; brothers, Ben and Stan; father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Amy Spark; and brothers-in-law: Don, Dave and Bob.  Les will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Ethel; daughters, Marina (Rick Niemi) Forbister of Airdrie, AB and Sherri (Ben) Nixon of Gerald, SK; son, Tracey (Sandy) Forbister of Saskatoon, SK; grandchildren: Brandon Forbister, Shannon (Matt Casey-Greene) Isaac, Brogan Nixon, and Meagan, Kyle, Tyson and Jason Forbister; sisters-in-law: Joan Forbister, Teresa Forbister, Eileen (Bob) Barrie and May Spark (Glen Scandrett); brothers-in-law, Harley Livingstone and Ken Spark; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Special thanks to Dr. D. Braun, Rona Cooper and all the Palliative Care Homecare nurses and workers.  The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 9th, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home with Reverend Jim Tenford officiating.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Les’ name may be made to the Kinsmen Foundation, 2217C Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A8 or to the Mortlach Museum, Mortlach, SK S0H 3E0.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  James Murdock, Funeral Director 306-693-4550