BEACH - It is with sad hearts, that the family of Homer H. Beach of Ernfold, SK, and Santiago, Chile, announce his passing. Homer passed away peacefully with his wife Teresa and daughter Jacquie by his side at St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon on Thursday, November, 19, 2009. Homer is survived by his wife Teresa Iturrate; her children: Castellanos - Teresa (Eduardo, Fernando, Claudia, Xavier), Patricia (Tricia, Marco, Carla), and Miguel (Xaviera, Eduardo); his daughter Jacquie (Harold) Machmer and their children Jeannette (Colin and son Tyler) Giesbrecht, Kimberly (Ian and son Dominic) Hennes, children of his predeceased son Eldon Beach, Shane, Amanda Olson (Jesse, children Indika, Iyzack), Wendy Olson; his brothers Norman (Phyllis) and Orland (Ann) Beach; sisters Joy Beach, Pauline Beach-Biggs and Dorothy Hannon; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Homer was born in Ernfold on March 15, 1925, the youngest of six boys. Three girls and two more brothers arrived in the following years. Homer grew up on the family farm and attended school in Ernfold. In 1943, Homer joined the Royal Canadian Navy. After discharge, Homer enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan. After attending classes for three weeks, he decided university was not for him. Homer spent the winter of 1945/46 working 7000 feet underground at the Sudbury Nickel Mine. When his brother Horace (Ace) returned from serving overseas in 1946, Homer and Horace loaded two combines on trucks and started custom combining in Texas. Brothers Norman, Paul and Orland joined them as they followed the harvest northward and arrived home in time to complete their own harvest. The brothers continued custom combining in the States until 1951. Norman, Homer, Paul and Orland took over the Beach family farm which they expanded and farmed co-operatively together for many years. In 1950, Homer married Eldred Lillico. They raised two children Jacquie and Eldon. Eldred taught school in Chaplin while Homer farmed and was very active in politics. Homer loved a political discussion, and usually had a unique and insightful perspective. Homer was involved in the fight for Medicare and supported the co-operative movement. He was the Sask. Wheat Pool delegate for the Ernfold district for 20 years, served on the Board of Sask. Minerals, and the Legal Aid Board for Swift Current. He was a member of the National Farmers Union and Steward of the Ernfold United Church. Homer’s interest in people, a good discussion or protest, and his stories of the Ernfold pioneer community will be sorely missed. He was an integral part of the Ernfold community with his good friends Mustafa and Sophie Agushi, nephews Kevin and Warren Beach. In 1979, Homer traveled to Cuba to hear Fidel Castro deliver his three hour speech in Havana square to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Cuban revolution. In 1980, Homer traveled to Chile where he met Teresa Iturrate, the mother and mother-in-law of his good Chilean Swift Current friends Patricia and Ariosto Raggo. In 1982, Homer and Teresa were married. They created a beautiful yard of flowers and added many trees to the Beach homestead. Over the years, Homer became an integral part of Teresa’s family in Chile. One of Homer’s favourite topics was talking about Chile. Homer was active and in good health all his life until recently. He was a lively character, whose presence always brightened up the room. He will be sorely missed by family and friends. The family wishes to thank all of you who encouraged and supported him with your visits and calls over the past while and the palliative care ward of St. Paul’s for providing a quiet and peaceful setting for his departure. A community gathering to celebrate his life was held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2009, in the Ernfold Community Hall. Donations can be made in Homer’s memory to the Ernfold Community Hall care of P.O. Box 63 Ernfold, SK, S0H 1K0. In living memory of Homer, a tree will be planted in Besant Park by Prairie Memorial Funeral Home, Chaplin, SK. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Prairie Memorial Funeral Home
Chaplin
In care of arrangements
(306) 395-2594