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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
EARLY, Thomas H. (Tom) - passed away peacefully on Friday, September 30, 2005 at home, with his loving wife Inez by his side. Tom is survived by daughter, Kathleen Early Ullrich and granddaughter Maren of Ottawa, ON; daughter Colleen Early, granddaughter Heather Hall and grandson Spencer Hall of Bradford, ON; son Spencer (Janet), granddaughter Andrea and grandson John Thomas of Saskatoon, SK; daughter Connie Gray of Winnipeg, MB; and son Ron (Connie) Gray, granddaughters Tarra and Chelsea also of Winnipeg, MB; sister Margaret Hyde of Vancouver, BC; sister Charlotte (Doug) Wahn of Victoria, BC; brother Robert (Gwen) Early of Quadra, BC; sister-in-laws Ava Mick of North Battleford, SK; Nancy Willsey of Portage la Prairie, MB; brother-in-law Irwin (Mavis) Willsey of Canmore, AB; and several nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his parents S.A. and Mary Early, brothers Allan and Wilson, son-in-law Peter Ullrich, grandson Shawn Ullrich and mother-in-law Estelle Willsey. Tom was born in Saskatoon on May 10, 1918. He attended Buena Vista Public School and Nutana Collegiate, where he was elected Senior Watch in 1936. Tom began his business career with his father S.A. Early and Co. in 1937. This business was later incorporated as Early Seed and Feed Ltd. in 1948. Tom joined the RCNVR in 1940 and served on three war vessels; a corvette, a minesweeper, and a destroyer during five years of service. After discharge from the navy in October 1945, Tom returned to work again in the family business. Tom first married in 1943 and raised a family of three children Kathleen, Colleen, and Spencer. In 1962 Tom married Inez Gray. Tom became president of Early Seed & Feed Ltd. in 1962 on the death of his father, S.A. Early. In 1983 Earlys Farm and Garden Centre Inc. was formed and established on Lorne Avenue, replacing the original business located on Idylwyld Drive since 1914. Tom had been active all his life in the seed and feed industry, was president of the Western Feed Manufacturers Association, active in the Canadian Seed Trade Association, and was honored with a life membership in 1993. He was Past President of the Saskatoon Club, The Saskatoon Usadian Executive Association, and an active member of the Saskatoon Cosmopolitan Club since 1948. He retired from Early's Farm and Garden Centre in 1996, the same year in which the Company received the Sabex award for Customer Service. Tom lived to see the Company inducted into the Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame (an Abex award) in l999 and the Saskatoon Business Hall of Fame (a Sabex Award) in 2005. Tom enjoyed playing cards with the boys, was an avid golfer, a long time member of the Riverside Golf and Country Club. He spent many winter months in Southern Climates especially in Hemet, California. Tom is now in his eternal resting place with his Lord and Savior. The Memorial Service will be held in the chapel of Saskatoon Funeral Home, (corner of 4th Ave and 25th St.), Saskatoon, on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. Dale Morrison. A reception will follow at the W.A Edwards Family Centre. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cosmopolitan Industries and the Saskatchewan Abilities Council. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home 244-5577 (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 03 Oct 2005)
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