Born August 30, 1933, Ogema, Sk.
Passed Away Septemeber 19, 2020, Meadow Lake, Sk.
Age 87

Survived by
Sister: Shirley of Sherwood Park, Ab. Brother: Neil (Rhonda) of Battleford, Sk. Sister-in-law: Joan Casper of Meadow Lake, Sk. and numerous nieces and nephews

Predeceased By:
Parents: Wilfred and Jeannie Gosling; Brothers: Robert, David and Lyle; Sister-in-laws: Joan and Jean

CREMATION

Inurnment
Woodlawn Cemetery
Meadow Lake, Sask.

THOMAS RICHARD GOSLING

On august 30, 1933 a 10 pound bouncing baby boy entered the world, first born to Jeannie and Wilfred Gosling. He was born at home on the farm outside of Ogema, SK as many were at that time. Over the next few years he was joined by 5 siblings – one sister, Shirley and four brothers Robert, David, Neil and Lyle.

Tom was a bright child beginning school in 1939 attending Mount Joy country school. Tom being the eldest in the family had daily chores as well, but truly enjoyed farm life as a boy. The family moved to town in 1946 at which time Tom became a member of the Boy Scout troop enjoying the challenges and accomplishments of earning badges and living up to the motto “Be Prepared”. In the summer of 1950 after completing his Grade 10, he had the opportunity to attend camp locally at Trossacks Dam as well as Provincial Camp at Lebret in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley and later the Canadian Jamboree at the same location with 300 other Scouts from across the country. As a Scout you had the duty and privilege to attend Remembrance Day services in November. Dressed in uniform with short pants, he remembered having bare knees turn purple from the cold!

Tom also excelled at track and field earning many red ribbons and trophies for his speed and agility. He helped his Dad do carpentry work during the summer holidays in Ogema and again in Borden after the family moved there in the fall of 1950. He joined the junior Sask Farmer’s union and assisted as a 4-H club leader while residing on the farm at Borden.

The family was on the move once again in 1954 this time to the Rapid View area. That winter Tom went commercial fishing in northern Saskatchewan for four months. They had a license for only the first lake and none there after and were sent packing back home in March. Upon return they received a cheque for a whopping $250 for those four months, less the plane trip. Tom vowed he would never eat fish again after they ran out of supplies other than flour and salt for bannock accompanied by fish.

He attended Co-op College in the summer of 1957 and became a Sask Wheat Pool Committee member of Rapid View becoming secretary in 1959. In the winter of 1957-58 he went logging telegraph poles, ties and top logs for sawing along with three of the neighboring farmers returning home to help on the family farm in the summer months.

On September 1, 1963 he started working at the Sask Wheat Pool A Elevator and transferred to St. Walburg as assistant for the winter. He was then transferred to Lake Lenore in August 1964 and only two later to Henriborough. At that point, he made the decision to return to the farm, borrowed some money – bought 40 acres, six milk cows and settled in. Over the next few years he worked tirelessly clearing and brushing land and gradually bought more land adding to the 11 acres east of the river that he had the foresight to acquire back in 1957 on trade for a milk cow and some cash. This is where the family home was eventually built in the winter of 1963 and were Tom resided until his passing. He also raised beef cattle and grew feed for them in tandem with some of the neighboring farmers until the market dropped out.

He spent winters curling and served on the Curling Rink Board as well as the Rec Board working towards the addition to the new hall. He continued learning, taking a 10 week farm management course in 1975-76, a beef Management Course in 1976 and in 1984-1985 a Financial Management Course.

No longer farming, he joined a bowling league in Meadow Lake where he could fire the ball down the lane for many strikes. He also loved to watch baseball, in particular the Blue Jays. He fulfilled his dream of seeing them in action when he took a bus trip to Minneapolis to watch them play several games. We fondly remember how he loved mashed potatoes and how the pantry always had a big bag of “Dad’s Cookies” and ice-cream in the freezer. Tom was a soft spoken humbled man, a good friend and neighbor to those in the Rapid View area and he will be sorely missed by his family, friends and neighbors and as we say Farewell, we can say “A LIFE WELL LIVED.”

Condolences To The Family Can Be Sent To www.jethomasfuneralhome.com

J.E.Thomas Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd. of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan have been entrusted with the arrangements (306) 236-5501

• Date : 2020-09-19
• Location : Meadow Lake, Sask.