It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Elwood Lyle Stainbrook on September 9, 2016 at the North Battleford Union Hospital at the age of 87. Elwood was born and raised in Tribune, with two sisters and four brothers. His father Joe was a drayman (a drayman was historically the driver of the dray, a low flat-bed wagon without sides, pulled generally by horses and mules that were used for transport of all kinds of goods), delivering goods around Tribune. Elwood attended school until Grade 10 when he went to work for his uncle in his general store. In 1953 Elwood joined the Air Force where he served for 26 years in the Logistics Department, ordering and maintaining supplies. During his service Elwood was stationed in Ottawa, ON, Calgary, and Edmonton, AB. Following his career in the Air Force, Elwood returned to the Department of National Defence doing contract work in Dundurn, SK. All told, Elwood served for 38 years and left service with the rank of Sergeant. In 1954 Elwood married Mavis Smith from his home town of Tribune. They raised three sons together – Kevin, Shayne, and Grant – and had six grandchildren. Mavis and Elwood spent many happy years together, a lot of those years square dancing as a member of the Battleford Grand Squares. Elwood also included fastball, curling, and bowling as his favorite sports. Elwood’s declining health after the passing of his wife in 2010 saw him residing at the River Heights Assisted Care Housing before moving to Caleb Village in October of 2013. He enjoyed the social community at Caleb and wished that the opportunity would have been present sooner. He thought highly of everyone there and spoke its praises to anyone that would listen. Elwood is survived by his son Kevin and Darlene (Hryn) of Saskatoon, daughter-in-law Divina (Aperocho) Stainbrook and grandchildren Nicholas, Alexander, and William of Edmonton, AB; grandchildren Chloe, Griffyn, and Anna-ise Dutka Stainbrook of Martinsville; brother Marshall and Donna Stainbrook of Medicine Hat, AB; sister-in-law Mae Stainbrook of Weyburn; sister Beryl and Ed Mazur of Weyburn; brother Garry and Anna Mae Stainbrook of Regina; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, cousins-in-law and wonderful friends. He is predeceased by his parents Joseph and Grace, his brother Roy Stainbrook, his sister Delilah Oxelgren, his brother Murray Stainbrook and his sons Shayne Stainbrook and Grant Stainbrook. His family extends their appreciation to Dr. Hesselson and Dr. Engelbrecht, the staff of Battlefords District Home Care, Dr. Abbas and the staff of the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic who treated Elwood with compassion and respect. At Elwood’s request, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place and interment will take place at a later date. For those wishing, donations can be made to The Saskatchewan ALS Society or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium.
