Valentine "Fildy" Erick, late of Weyburn passed away January 26, 2012, at the age of 86 years. Valentine was predeceased by his parents Valentine and Caroline Erick; his wife, Shirley; sisters, Minnie and Francis, brothers, Dennis and Joe; brothers-in-law: George Emmel and Wayne McAlpine; sisters-in-law: Peggy McAlpine and Totty Erick. Valentine is survived by his children: Richard (Doreen) Erick, Arcola, Debbie (Blaine) Frank, Weyburn, Keith (Anna) Erick, Carlyle, Carol (Carl) Kuntz, Taber, AB and families; seven grandchildren: Jolie Erick (Mike Brodaway), Jennifer (Adam) White, Jason (Carmen) Frank, Aaron Frank (Jamie MacDonald), Craig (Marcie) Erick, Sheena (Cody) Grimes, Tyler Kuntz; great grandchildren: Chloe Erick, Sophie White, Jarrod and Chase Brodaway, Jensen Frank, Jaxon Frank, Sydney, Shaylee, Taylor Hembroff, Hayden Frank, Kirby, Ryan and Titus Erick, Kendall, Greyson, Ethan and Sadie Grimes; sister, Levine (Jim) Frank; brothers-in-law: Doug McAlpine, Bob (Louise) McAlpine, Bill (Kaye) McAlpine, Vic Miller; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Bartlett, Elaine Erick, Karen (Ron) Martin, Kathleen (Larry) Johnson, Helen Makelki as well as several nieces and nephews. Valentine Gregory Erick Jr. was born July 23, 1925; the third of six children to Valentine and Caroline Erick, on the family homestead near the Oungre area. Valentine was known to many as Fildy and in his later years preferred to introduce himself as Val. Grandpa was a man of simple needs. He was known for his work ethic and loyalty. He believed if you had a job to do, you do it right the first time. Fildy married Shirley McAlpine in 1949. Together they had four children: Richard, Deborah, Keith and Carol. Grandma and Grandpa lived on the McAlpine family farm until 1969, when they moved into a new home in Oungre.Grandpa was what you would call a workaholic. He took pride in his work and a job well done. He worked seven days a week; farming, working up North for the winter and battery operating until the late 1960's. At that time he strictly worked in the oilfield. Grandpa was a battery operator for several oil companies - namely SunCor and TriLink. One of the perks of battery operating that Grandpa enjoyed was being able to drive nice new work trucks. He would drive from home to downtown Oungre to get the mail, maybe a one minute drive - total. Yet, many times he wouldn't notice Grandma walking on the sidewalk, almost directly beside him. In 1992, Grandpa retired from the patch and he and Grandma moved to Weyburn. After a few years, they sold the house in Weyburn and downsized to an apartment. Every time I went to visit, I had to ask where they lived, because they so frequently changed apartments. Besides moving, Grandpa also enjoyed going to the mall and other establishments for coffee to hear the day's news. My nieces and nephews actually thought Grandpa lived at the Weyburn Mall because that is where he could be found. Grandma and Grandpa did a little travelling following his retirement. Most notably to the Grand Canyon with Grandma's sister, Karen and her husband, Ron. They also made several day trips for a round of golf or to the casino. Family was always important to Grandpa Fildy. He enjoyed teasing Grandma's sisters Kathleen and Helen when they were young - threatening to make toe jam from their toes. One year he even wrapped up a Christmas surprise for them - a large box containing nothing but a pig's tail. Fildy thought the world of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren - even though we ate all of his cookies that Grandma had stored in the freezer, shot sparrows in the new garage and borrowed his 3-wheelers and snow machines. Grandpa had a bit of a sweet tooth. Auntie Debbie always ensured there was a pie made if Grandpa was coming for supper. Grandma Shirley was an excellent baker and cook. Grandpa claimed he taught her how to cook - if the macaroni sticks to the wall, it's done. Later in life, Grandpa developed macular degeneration which left him unable to see very well. He rarely let this slow him down. When he finally resigned to the fact he should not be driving a vehicle, he purchased a scooter to ensure he could still get downtown. He had a knack for recognizing voices, even those of people he had not seen for years. After Grandma passed in 2004, Grandpa continued to enjoy moving and going for coffee. He was always willing to go along for a ride. A couple of years ago, he travelled to Lloydminster to pick up a semi-truck. His only complaint was when riding in the semi, that whenever he went to take a sip of coffee, Craig would either speed up or slow down - saying he wore more coffee than he drank. The last few years, Grandpa Fildy's health was up and down. He always seemed to bounce back from any illness. Because of this, he spent some time living in Arcola in a personal care home, where my daughter and I, along with my Dad and Uncle Rick, were fortunate enough to become some of his new coffee buddies. But, Grandpa felt Weyburn was home and decided to move back. Grandpa will be remembered for his strength and determination. He was a private man and was proud of his family. He didn't believe in only participating or being a by-stander. Grandpa instilled a strong work ethic in all of us, which will be his legacy and we will dearly miss him. Prayers were held on Monday January 30 at 7:00 p.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn. Funeral mass for Valentine was held on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:30 a.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn, with Fr. Gerry Bauche, celebrant. Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. For family and friends so wishing, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Valentine may be made to the Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation, Box 1416, Weyburn, SK S4H 3J9. The family of Valentine Erick would like to thank all friends and family for the consolation you gave us during this time. Thank you to the staff at the Weyburn Special Care Home and the Weyburn General Hospital who showed compassion and understanding. Thanks to those who spent time with Val, those who sent flowers and grandchildren who made special efforts to come for Grandpa to be pallbearers. Also thanks to Sheena Grimes, granddaughter, for the eulogy.Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family"
