Cecil George Cayer

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Psalm 23 RSV.

Cecil was born in Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba, on July 18, 1939 to George and Josephine Cayer. He was the third of seven children: Sylvia, Rita, Cecil, Ron, Paulette, Larry, and Glenn.

Cecil spent his early years on the ranch in the Cayer District by Lake Manitoba. The family ranch had horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep in the winter, a big potato patch, huge vegetable garden and an ice house (just like any other ranch in the district) and hard-working parents who welcomed relatives whenever the opportunity presented itself. It was from here that Cecil started school at the village of Cayer weekly boarding school which was run by the Convent nuns. Within a few years, the family moved into the town of Ste. Rose, and later into Brandon. He attended high school at Brandon Collegiate and later graduated from Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan in 1960 or so. Cecil was a handsome little boy and an easy-going child. He liked to laugh and would find ways to do that by clowning around whenever he could. Fortunately, his good looks, big smile and quick laughter would generally keep him out of any real consequences for his amusements. As Cecil matured, his deep belly laugh became his most often talked about and well-loved characteristic amongst his family members, both near and far.

In his early 20’s, Cecil decided he might try moving from Manitoba, heading towards Victoria, and got as far as Regina and the Catholic Youth Club at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Regina. It was at one of their dances where he met Judith Pastl. Even though Cecil had become known as the “Kitchen Queen” because he regularly supplied the meeting’s doughnuts (from the McGavin’s Bakery where he worked), a job usually done by the ladies, Judith asked him out on a date in the fall of 1965. They started dating and Cecil was married to Judith Pastl on November 12, 1966 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Watson; they were married 54 years.

Cecil worked as an entrepreneur of one type or another for most of his life. While he did work at McGavin’s Bakery and Ipsco Steel mill for a few years, he preferred to be his own boss. He owned three rental properties, sold financial products and insurance, frozen foods, installed siding, windows and doors, sold nuts, bolts and other fasteners, and his last place of employment was for his son Andre’s Watercycles Energy Recovery business. He also kept busy on their farm growing berries, planting trees, and caring for and chasing after various types of animals. Through the years, he raised or was involved in raising, cattle, chickens, turkeys, wild turkeys, geese, ducks, rabbits, llamas, emus, sheep and was a beekeeper for a number of years.

Cecil liked to be wily and to pull little tricks. His smile and laugh were contagious as someone opened his gag gift, or was caught, spoon in hand, sneaking a thin piece of pie or cake before it was served. A favourite story was how he and Bob Beach would take their mother-in law’s pies cooling on the window sill and share it behind the barn. He loved all things pie. Cecil enjoyed talking to people he’d meet on his sales calls and haggling at garage sales. He was known, to the embarrassment of his children, to haggle with the manager at Sears Bargain Centre or wherever over the price of a pair of jeans, shoes, or a nice roast, saying that the price tag was only a suggestion. He rarely gave up an opportunity to hold a baby, or play with the one ahead of him at the grocery store. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and walking in the bush. There was usually a gun near the bedroom window to take aim at any unwary animals helping themselves to the garden. Cecil and Bob Beach used to pick through old buildings in abandoned farm yards looking for various treasures, and drive down dirt roads looking for something to shoot at.

He loved to listen to Judith and their children play the piano and lead the singing at Mass. Cecil was also an avid reader and was known to read even while driving, holding his book on the wheel. Cecil was actively involved in Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship for a time, and sometimes the Knights of Columbus, but only rarely missed Mass at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church where he managed to keep his seven children in line while Jude (his usual name for Judith) led the choir. He was also considered “fitted equipment” at the local Princess Auto store.

Cecil is survived by his wife Judith and their children and in-laws Andre (Lauren), Anthea, Jonathon (Jeanie), Clarissa (Ryan), Damian (Jayna), Marijo (Andrew), Zachary (Colleen); 18 grandchildren  Anika, Lochlan, Katriona, Veronica, Sophia, Andre, Damon, Brittany, William, Sarah, Jacob, Rudy, Josslyn, Russell, Celeste, Eloise, Phillipa, and Liev; as well as sisters Sylvia, Rita and Paulette and brothers Ron, Larry and Glenn; and a multitude of nieces, nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held during the summer in Balgonie, on an as yet to be specified date. Condolences as well as any stories or anecdotes to be read out after the interment may be sent to damiancayer@gmail.com, and donations can be made to the St.Joseph’s Memorial “Tree of Life” by contacting Bob Kardash at rjkardash@sasktel.net.