Obituary of James Craik

February 19, 1949 – January 15, 2015 On January 15, 2015, a new star was born in the early morning sky. Jim passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home. He was 65 years old. Jim is survived by his wife, Carol, of 43 years; their daughters, Colleen (David) Fourney & Laura (Tyson) Wheeler; and two grandsons Paxton James & Linden Cade Wheeler. He also leaves to mourn his sister Marilyn (V. Bruce) Irvine; his brother William “Bill”(Linda); many nieces & nephews – Lee-Ann Irvine (Jose Cabrera), Cam (Cely) Irvine (& Sophia, Isla, & Karina), Sandie Irvine (Michael Claassen) (& Nael), Lee (Kendra) Craik (& Avery, Adley & Andi), & Christopher (Jamie) Craik (& Finn); his mother-in-law, Caroline Ellis; brother-in-law Gerald (Betty) Ellis (& their children Jason (Fawn) Ellis (& Jeremy), Adam (& Teagan McAngus), Drew (Lori) Ellis (& Zander and Darian), and Rory); and brother-in law Keith (Gail) Ellis (& their children Darrick (Erin Beck) Ellis (& Maxen), Chandra (Derrik) Olsen (& Holden and Easton), Lyndon (Amanda Merkosky) Ellis, (& Janessa Ellis). Jim valued family and stayed in contact with many Craik, Tennent, Alexander, Ellis, and Schnitzler uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother Edna Mary Craik (nee Alexander), father Gordon Hartwell Craik, and father-in-law William Reginald Ellis. Jim was born at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, on Feb. 19, 1949. He attended Brunskill Elementary School and graduated from Nutana Collegiate in 1967. After attending Teachers’ College, he began his career at Rosthern, SK. in Sept 1968, where he taught until his superannuation in 1998. He married Carol Ellis on Aug. 14, 1971, and they settled in Rosthern and had two daughters. He loved this community and gave back whenever he could. He was an active member of the Rosthern Lions Club for 27 years. In 1989, Jim and Carol purchased a cabin at Emma Lake. He loved spending time at the lake with family and friends; visiting around campfires and watching beautiful prairie sunsets. In his retirement, he tapped into his love of words, writing and photography becoming a freelance journalist, mainly for the Sask Valley News. In 2003, he was honoured to be named Rosthern’s Citizen of the Year recognizing his involvement in the community. All throughout his life he was a huge sports fan and followed many sports. He had a special pride for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Recently, he revelled in being a grandfather to his two grandsons. A Memorial service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2015, at 10:30 am at St. Odilon Parish Complex, 3004 Saskatchewan Street (Hwy 312), Rosthern. His family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Rosthern Hospital, Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital, Wakaw’s Lakeview Pioneer Lodge and the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home for the amazing care Jim received while battling cancer. Memorial donations may be made to the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation Inc., Box 93, Rosthern, SK, S0K 3R0. Arrangements in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern. (306-232-5245, http://www.funksfuneralhome.ca).