PRITCHARD - Thomas (Tom) Sidney Pritchard passed away on December 31, 2008, at his home in Mankota with his wife Kay at his side. Tom was born April 6, 1925, in Easthope Mill in Shropshire Wales Great Britain. March 19, 1926, Ernest and family immigrated to Canada when Tom was nine months old. The family reached Halifax and took the train to Whitewood, SK, and settled on a farm in the McKay district northeast of Whitewood. Tom attended the one room school. Tom grew up in the dirty thirties, when money was scarce and the winters were very hard, cold and windy. Times were tough, and Tom and his family worked hard. He and his brother trapped muskrats for extra money. After completing his schooling, he farmed with his brother and father, and worked at neighbors farms. Life was not all hard and Tom had good times with his brothers and sisters, attending local functions and dances. In July 1947, Tom was introduced to Catherine (Kay) Barber, at a Sports Day Dance which started a courtship that lasted 61 years. In the winter of 1947, Tom worked in a lumber camp on Vancouver Island. He continued to do farm work until 1950, when he started working for Patterson Grain at Whitewood, Meadows and Teulon, Manitoba. Tom and Kay were married December 4, 1950. Tom was employed on the C.P.R. 1951-52 then in 1953, he started as a grain buyer for Canadian Consolidated and they moved to Rowletta, SK. In 1954, Tom was transferred to Burrows, SK, and in 1958, Tom started working with Sask. Wheat Pool at Burnham, SK. In 1964, Tom got transferred to Coderre. In 1968, Tom made his last transfer to McCord, SK, where they family lived until his retirement in May, 1987. Tom worked at Imperial Oil, night watchman at the fall sales, at the stockyards and odd jobs until he fully retied to his hobbies. Tom was a family man with get-togethers being very important. He enjoyed helping in the community, Lions Club, village alderman, Mets hockey coach and curling. He loved horseshoes. Tom liked going to Kelvin and Ruth\'s Ranch - the \"OK\" for work or play. Time would have been very long, without this, after retirement. Spending time with family and friends playing cards, or violin and banjo were special. He looked forward to vacations and travel especially camping with family and friends. Fishing with his boat and exploring the countryside. In later years he took up bowling, going to musical jams, or just having one at home. He enjoyed life until having a debilitating stroke on July 29, 2007. Grandchildren were especially \'special\'. A special bond formed between Tom and his great-grandchild Payson. When Payson came to the house, in the mornings, he would go to Tom\'s bed and snuggle down beside him, staying there until Tom was bathed and dressed and in his wheelchair. Then Payson was on Grandpa\'s knee and off for breakfast. He was predeceased by his parents Ernest and Beatrice Pritchard; sister Phyllis Pritchard, brothers Leonard and Alfred Pritchard; brothers-in-law Tom Parker and John Kozak; sisters-in-law: Gladys Barber, Eileen Barber and Florence Pritchard; father and mother-in-law Mathew and Annie Barber. Tom leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 58 years, Catherine; four sons: Ken (Alice) and family Scott (Shayna), Kelvin (Ruth) and family Riley, Sheena (Lane) Peterson and their son Payson, Glenn (Shannon) and family Connor, Shelby and Shelaine and Kelly (Lori) and family Dana, Lacey and Lane; his sisters: Gertie Pritchard, Thersa (Herb) Markwart and Muriel Parker; sisters-in-law: Bernice Pritchard, Win Kozak, Florence (Bob) Dolinshaw and Eileen (Dave) Tkachuk; brothers-in-law: Bill Barber and Alex (Kim) Barber; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. Funeral Service was held on Monday, January 5, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. in the McCord Community Hall, McCord, SK. Ruby Sayers officiated. Urn Bearer was grandson, Riley. Music Ministry was led by Grasslands Community Choir, accompanied by pianist, Marilyn Sandor. Hymns included: \"What A Friend We Have In Jesus\", \"In The Garden\", and \"God Be With You\". Interment took place in the McCord Cemetery. Fellowship and lunch was held in the McCord community Hall. Donations in Memory of Tom may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the McCord Community Hall or the McCord Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. Gary K. Miller, Director.