Hawkins
Albert Hawkins was born in Bracken, Sask. on Feb. 17, 1930 to Susan and James Hawkins.
He was the sixth child of 10 in the family.
Albert is survived by sister Hazel Tillman, daughter Bonnie (Tom) McCrindle, son Brian (Dixie) Hawkins, grandchildren: Jenn McCrindle (Dave Normore), Leah (Mike) Ullyot, Tomi (Jesse) Turnbull, Chris Hawkins, Garrett McCrindle (Desyane Yanuar), Janine Hawkins (Clay Wolbert).
He is also survived by great-grandchildren: Hailey Imeson, Lukas Klatt, Leila and Van Turnbull and Erik Normore; and his chosen companion Jean Anderson and her children: Wanda Turner, Julie Paschke, Lorna (Ron) Petersen, Wes (Vicki) Anderson and Brad (Elaine) Anderson and their families.
Albert is also survived by his sisters- in-law: Helen Hawkins, Sharon Hawkins, Maureen (Rudy) Storek, Linda (Gordon) Nielsen, Carol Cameron, Lorraine (Eric) Anderson and Helen Ambury; numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
Albert was predeceased by his wife Louise Hawkins, parents Susan and James Hawkins, his siblings: Barney Hawkins, Gertie (Claude) Grayling, Jean (Vic) Willard, Paddy Hawkins, Clarence (Dorothy) Hawkins, Margaret (Sam) Finkbeiner, Harold (Merle) Hawkins and Kenny Hawkins, brother-in-law Larry Ambury and sister-in-law Barb (Russell) Lafrentz.
When Albert was very young, the family moved to the Rolling Hills district to farm where they homesteaded. Albert was about 12-years-old when his father passed away, resulting in his mother having to raise 10 kids on her own in addition to all of the farming.
Times were tough but they pulled together and became a very close-knit family.
The older boys found jobs and sent money home to help the family out. Albert quit school and got his first job when he was only 14-years-old.
As luck would have it, he got to operate heavy equipment.
Operating equipment was the purpose of his life.
Albert was doing road construction in the Marble Canyon area when he met a young lady.
Her name was Louise Ambury.
They were married on Sept. 6, 1958 and settled in Calgary.
Bonnie was born in 1959 to round out their joy.
Brian joined the family in 1961. At this time, Albert took his family with him to live in camps while he continued to build roads.
Albert was a pioneer in road construction and helped to build the Alberta infrastructure when there was nothing from Jasper to Rainbow Lake to Fort McMurray.
During road construction season, the whole family lived in camp and in the winter they would live on the farm with his brother, Paddy.
Bonnie and Brian remember lots of happy memories from this time when they were surrounded by family.
Eventually, they had to put the kids in school, so Louise moved to Alix, Alta. and then Stettler while Albert worked on the Highway 12 construction by Stettler.
This was the start of Louise raising the kids and Albert living on the road during the week and living with the family on the weekend.
Albert then started running a Cat, building oilfield leases in the Coronation area.
Even though Albert was away from his family a lot to provide for them, family was very important to him.
A few times a year, Albert and the whole family would pack up the car, go on the road and visit relatives.
Albert enjoyed working so much that he had to retire three times until he finally was able to quit at 75.
However, that made him available to help Tom out on the farm.
As with all families, they start growing with the addition of grandchildren and spouses.
Albert would do anything for his grandkids.
He was very proud of all of his grandchildren and the fact that he took most of them for a ride in “Grandpa’s Cat.”
He was even prouder to be a great-grandpa.
Louise passed away in 1999.
Albert had spent a lot of his life alone on the road, and now he was even more alone than he had ever expected.
He ended up in the apartment across the hall from a lovely lady that would become his friend and companion, Jean Anderson.
Jean filled a void in Albert’s life that no one else could.
They would get to spend their senior years together for the next 15 years.
Their last day together was when Albert passed away.
The family wishes to thank Points West Living staff for their excellent care, dignity and compassion given to Albert.
Funeral services were held on Mon., Aug. 19, 2019 at Stettler Funeral Home with Albert’s friend Keith Worth as emcee.
Joan Rushton and LeeAnn Kinderwater presented their gifts of music and son-in-law Tom McCrindle gave a loving tribute to all those in attendance.
His loving grandchildren took part in the service to honour their grandfather.
Albert will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery with his wife, Louise. Memorial donations may be made to Points West Living~Stettler or to a charity of your own choice.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com.
Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements, 403-742-3422.
