Dad, being the organized person he was sent me an email in 2019 of suggestions for his obituary. He made sure to say in the subject line not to be alarmed as he was not planning on dieing any time soon! Of course I was relieved and forgot about it until after his death. I could have used it and in fact did use it originally but we all know of all his numerous accomplishments and awards so it just seemed too factual and not about the actual Dad Ferg Devins. So here goes!
Dad was born to Jack and Gretta Devins in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on November 24, 1929. He was a pretty normal kid until age 9 when he was diagnosed with Osteomylitis. Back then there were no antibiotics so this required surgery at St Boniface Hospital and the fusion of his right hip. Dad was in a body cast for months! One of his Mom’s greatest lessons she reiterated became Dad’s mantra, was that if someone else can do the job so can you! Dad took this heart and did not let his disability hold him back.
After finishing school in 1948, dad was hired by the CPR in Brandon only because he wasn’t old enough to get into the pub with his buddies so he walked there and asked for a job! He worked 29 years as a telegrapher, Train Dispatcher and Station agent all over Southeast Sask and Manitoba. There were cars, girls and booze but he finally settled down after he met my mom Betty Ann Ireland at a baseball tournament. They were married September 21,1955. Shortly after being married they moved to Nesbit, then on to Plum Coulee where they adopted myself and my brother Kent. We lived there for a few years before moving to Bosissevain then finally settling in Souris in 1971. At age 45 Dad made the decision to work for himself, he went into the Real estate and insurance business before finally retiring .
After retiring Dad embraced the age of technology , he took courses at Brandon University to become proficient.He went on to pirate many CD’s , many of which you found under your windshield
Dad thoroughly enjoyed his retirement, he and my Mom loved to travel to Mesa, Arizona and he practically lived at the golf course!
One of Dad’s many projects was the Souris Railway Museum, although Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer he had a dream and with many other volunteers made it become true by following his heart. I truly believe this kept him alive even after stopping cancer treatments
Dad was a character, ranging from his fright nights at the old farm, to teasing and tormenting his nieces , nephews and cousins . Dad really enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren Emily Logan and Devin Barrett until his last days.
Dad left a legacy of community mindness and volunterism, he was recently a proud Honor 150 recipient in which he was recognized by the province for his outstanding and lasting influence on his chosen volunteer organizations and social groups.
Dad had numerous health issues through out his life, but he never felt that he missed out and this did not hold him back from contributing. The guy had a least nine lives and went out on his own terms saying goodbye to those close to him in his last week.
Left to mourn is his wife of 66 years Betty , children Donna (Doug), Kent and grandchildren Emilie and Devin. Brother Bill (Faye), sister Val, sister in law Eleanor and numerous nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by brother Ed and brother in laws Dennis, George and Don and sister in law Marie.
To us you were so special
What more is there to say.
Except to wish with
All our hearts,
That your memory is our keepsake
With which we’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
We have you in our heart.
Old Ferg
A life well lived.
Funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris, Manitoba on Saturday June 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Private interment in the Souris-Glenwood Cemetery Columbarium. In memory of Ferg, donations may be made to the Souris Railway Museum c/0 Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518, Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.
Betty and family, my condolences on the loss of Ferg. He made a huge impact to our community and left a great legacy of volunteerism. He had a great influence for me with respect to creativity and volunteering. He will be greatly missed. Laura
So sorry to hear about “Ferg”. He was such a nice fella and always a smile!
Know that we’re thinking of you at this very sad time.
The Turner’s at Carroll
What a great man. We will miss him.
Sincere Condolences to Betty, Donna and Kent and their families.
Ferg was a great community supporter.
Hold your memories close to your heart may they never be too far apart. R.I.P. Ferg.
To the Devins family,
Sorry to hear of the passing of Ferg. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad and difficult time. Ferg will be missed for his volunteer work especially with the railroad museum.
Sincerely,
Dean and Donna Couvier
Our deepest sympathy to you Betty & your Family at this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you.
Marilyn &Robert Pearce
Our deepest sympathies
So sorry to hear of Ferg’s passing. Condolences to you Betty and your family.
Doug and Helen
Sincerest sympathy, Betty and family. Ferg truly left a legacy.
So sorry to hear of Ferg’s passing our sincere condolences to Betty and his family. Traci & Clive
Dear Betty and family, Ferg was an inspiration to all of us. He did not wait for things to be done, He just did them. A special friend to all who knew him .Thinking of you in love and friendship.
Our world is definitely less bright now. What a life well lived and what an amazing gentle man. Ferg made a difference. To say he will be missed would be an understatement. Our sincere sympathies Betty and family.
Diane and Claude Martin
Just a note to pass on our condolences Betty to you and your family. Ferg was such a great community person. He loved his curling golfing and community TV. He was an Abbie Elks member and was always there to pitch in on a project. His Legacy golf tournament is still our biggest of the year. There will be so many great memories. Doris and I are thinking of you at this tough time
Huggy and Doris
Peaslee’s Our deepest controllences to Betty Donna & Kent
He was a true friend He will be missed
Bert
My sincere condolences Betty!!
Our sincere condolences to Betty and family.Ferg leaves a great legacy of volunteerism in Souris and other communities where they lived. He will be missed by many!
Sorry to hear of Ferg,s passing.He is probably the best ambassador
that Souris has ever had.He was untiring keeping the history of the
railway front and centre in Souris.
I recall as a 10 year old seeing Ferg 6 days week at the station,where
the paperboys picked up papers from the train.He was in the telegraph
office in the station,and was always kind to us young punks.
Will be sorry not to see him anymore.
Sending our condolence to Ferg,s family.He surely will be missed
our sincere sympathy.
I send my deepest sympathy to you Betty and your family. Ferg contributed much to the Souris community and to all who know him. Hugs and love,
Our heartfelt condolences to Betty, Donna and Kent. Ferg was a character, lived a full life and always gave it his all.
Sincere condolences to Betty, Donna, Kent and family.
Ferg leaves me with great childhood memories of when I stayed at your home. He will surely be missed by the community.
I often think of him and it always brings a smile to my face.
Norm Jones
Betty and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Ferg passing. Please accept our deepest condolences for you and yours.
Betty and family
My deepest sympathy on the death of Ferg I enjoyed all the times he took us golfing when we visited with my mom and dad
Sympathy to Betty and family. Ferg was a truly great man. He loved sharing the Railway museum with us and many others.
Ferg influenced our lives as a Little League and Bantam hockey coach, Real Estate business associate, community activist, his positive attitude, and always a true friend!
Sincere condolences to Betty, Donna, Kent and family.
Ferg leaves me with great memories from the times I stayed with them. Ferg with his shenanigans and scaring the daylights out of us, will always be fond memories, and bring a smile to my face when I think of them.
Kathy (Jones) Hibberd
Our sincere condolences to Betty and family. Ferguson will be missed by many.our sincere sympathy.
Your Ferg will be missed by so many people, he was involved in so many things and that gave him a great purpose to keep on going! Over the years you both have made great friends and memories, I hope all these can be a huge support to you now. Rest in Peace Ferg, we’ll all miss you. Sincerely Mary Ann Carlisle
Sincere sympathy to Betty and all your family.
Ferg was a tireless worker to preserve the railway history of Souris and area. He was a tireless worker in general. Thank You for sharing him with our community.
Sincerely from Pam Whitfield and family,
Ralph and Averill
Sincere Condolences Betty and Family. Thinking of you all at this time of sorrow.
So sorry to hear about Ferg. I am thinking about he and dad being room mates in the Brandon hospital. They reminisced and had many laughs. Thinking of you Betty Donna and Kent.
To Betty, Donna, Kent & families,
My sincere sympathy to all at this difficult time.
Ferg will be missed by all who knew him.My thoughts are with you.
Wilma Seafoot
Sharing in your sadness as you remember Ferg. I remember him as quite the character who loved to make people laugh. Ferg, thanks for the memories.
Chris and Maria Jones
Sorry to hear about Ferg’s passing. He was a well respected member of our community and was a pleasure to work with when we sold together at Landex. He was always willing to help in any way he could. He will be missed.
My condolences Betty .
Our sincere condolences to Betty and family…..Ferg was a well respected man in our community with his kindness, knowledge and devotion to our community….he will be missed.
Darlene and Blair Bastian
Our sincere sympathy to Betty and family. Ferg was a great community minded person and he will be greatly missed in our town. Always such a positive friendly fellow!
I first met Ferg as a nine year old at the railroad station in Boissevain. And then watched him play many times at the Boissevain curling club. He was a wonderful man. My sincere condolences to Betty and family.
My sincere sympathy to Betty and family. “Ferg” was a gem of a person. One of my favorite people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was a friend to all. I will cherish all of the storytelling and kindness. He will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Wendy Winters