Eric Cecil Champ

Cecil Eric Champ was born on May 14, 1933 in Tullamore Co. Offaly Ireland. He attended schools in Tullamore and Dublin and trained as a motor and aircraft mechanic in Coventry England where he also worked in the Triumph factory.

 On Feb.9, 1955 he sailed from Liverpool Harbour and arrived two weeks later in St. John New Brunswick, he then traveled by train to Rosetown. Eric worked at Mylrea Motors in Kindersley for approx 4 years and then managed the garage at the Coleville Service Center for a year and a half.

 In 1961 he married Irva Patton from Major, they made their home in Eston where Eric worked at Owens and Sweitzers Garage. Their daughter Carmel was born in 1962 and in 1963 they took an extended holiday back to Ireland where they stayed approx 5 months. When they returned from Ireland Eric left the mechanics trade due to health issues from carbon monoxide and they moved to the Patton family farm. Their son Ivan was born in 1964 and by 1968 Eric and Irva had purchased their own land and moved a mile away to start their farm. Eric farmed his land as well as spending 10 years as a battery operator for Husky Oil. Eric loved animals and was know to rescue wild birds that he found injured. Farm life included numerous cats and dogs and many German Shepard puppies were given to neighbors in the area. Their daughter Shannon was born in 1972 and in 1976 Eric and Irva moved their family to Kerrobert where they started their own business Champ's Western Wear and Flowers. Eric was not new to the retail business, his parents had owned the Tullamore Drapery Department store, a family business while Eric was growing up and Eric's true roots. Irva passed away in 1989 and Eric continued to run the business until he retired in 1997.
 
 In 1991 Eric met Eileen Magnus, they became soul mates and were always together on some sort of an adventure. 

Eric and Eileen worked together at Champ's from 1991 to 1997. In 1998 they started spending the winters in the Vancouver area where they enjoyed a break from the snow and a climate very similar to Ireland so close to Eric's heart. During their winters in White Rock, Ladner and Langley Eric and Eileen spent many days exploring the area and getting books from the library about local history. During their years on the coast Dad became a bit of a historian, he learned so much about the area that it seemed he had lived there all his life. He loved to learn about the past and share his passion for history. Eric joined the First Capital Chorus singing group while he was in BC, he made many friends in the group and enjoyed performing on the big stage as well as attending competitions where the group won many awards. Dad found it very rewarding to be involved with the FCC raising money for charities in the community through their singing.

Eric and Eileen also took classes together on gardening and tree pruning that they put to good use in the summers back in Saskatchewan working together in their beautiful yard in Luseland.

Eric and Eileen were married on Feb.14, 2000 in White Rock BC, a fitting place since they spent many hours exploring and having picnics by the sea.

Some of their many adventures included trips to Victoria, Cuba and a freight boat journey up the Gold River to Kuyuquet where they were caught in the middle of a pod of grey whales, a very exciting experience. They have hiked miles in the woods and by the sea and even tried white water rafting. Dad loved the Rocky Mountains and many trips were made to see them, with a stop at Spruce Meadows on route.

Eric and Eileen have spent the past 5 winters back in Saskatchewan, where he joined the Luseland Chorus, singing and enjoying good times with his friends.
 

Dad loved to tinker in his shop and our family has always said that there isn't anything that Dad can't fix. He has always done his own mechanical work and even last summer was still working on his car although it was difficult to get underneath to change the muffler with an oxygen tank to pull along. It's a good thing his soul mate Eileen was there to hand him his tools. They worked together side by side for many happy years and enjoyed countless adventures together. They were on an adventure when Dad passed, proof of a full and happy life. Dad you were the head of our family and our rock, you will always be loved and always be missed.

Eric leaves behind his loving wife Eileen, children Carmel (Steve)Collins, Ivan (Lorrie) Champ, Shannon (Mike) Rogers and 8 grandchildren, Jesse, Curtis and Danielle Collins, Ashlee and Dallas Champ, and Matthew, Sara and Maverick Rogers.

Visitation for Eric will be held at the Kindersley community funeral home Friday, December 15, 2017 at  7:00 P.M.

Funeral Service will be held at St. Pail's United Church Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 1:00 P.M.

 Service Information