November 7, 1936 – September 15, 2016

Age: 79

Martin Thomas Simonson was born to Simon and Agnes Simonson in Battleford SK, the oldest of six children. Martin was a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.  Martin often recalled his life in a farming community and experiencing the hardships of this life; walking several miles to school each day and eating only rice for extended periods of time.  Martin moved to Prince Albert in 1954 so his father could receive treatment at the tuberculous’ sanatorium.  Martin first spent time at Emma lake with his parents and siblings; making Emma lake his home with Phyllis many years later.  Martin worked hard all of his life, completing his last carpentry project in the spring of 2016, an outhouse for the Tree Dodgers.  He was a Pipefitter by trade but a jack-of-all-trades! Martin worked for many years with the Department of Northern Saskatchewan and with Thorpe Brothers.  Martin also volunteered for several years with Citizens on Patrol (COPS) and was a longstanding member of the Tree Dodger Snowmobile Club.  Most recently Martin was employed as a maintenance man at Kenderdine Campus, Emma lake and unofficially, under the supervision of Reme, was the Manager of Maintenance at Sunnyside Beach Bar.  Martin was well known at Emma lake as a handy man and plumber who was regularly called upon by family, friends and neighbours for any job big or small. Martin’s death has left a large void in the Emma lake community, especially if you need your water on or your pipes drained!  Martin was rough around the edges, never holding back on what he thought or felt.  He especially loved animals and small children. He had special nicknames for most of his grandchildren and rarely deviated from that name.  Martin loved to snowmobile, quad and fish. He was also an avid television sports fan.  He also loved Emma Lake and always enjoyed a cruise on his pontoon boat with his favorite pet.  Martin will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him best! Goodbye Grampa! Love, Lips, Smokey, Beaver, Turkey, Scamper, Weasel, Stinker, Spider, Suzie and Beanball!  Martin leaves behind his wife Phyllis Simonson of Emma Lake, Saskatchewan and his best friend Snoopy; children: Carol Mischuk, Dwayne and Kevin and families, Debbi (Ron) Tichkowsky, Shaun and Sandy and families, Sam Decker (Melanie Marion), Samantha and Joe, Janice (Norman) Gerstner, Tyler and Alacia and families, Pat (Kevin) Stephens, Tricia, Travis, Mackenzie and families, Lisa Billay (Shawn Olmstead), Devon and Laci, Reme Simonson, Dina Simonson (Dennis) and Eric Simonson (Dennis) and families; siblings: Isabel (Jack) Sabo, Eileen Olson, Elisabeth Cowles, Dave (Gerri) Simonson, Marilyn (Gord Dobrowolsky) Rechenmacher, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Simon and Agnes Simonson; brothers-in-law Jack Olson, Kenneth Macdonald, Floyd Macdonald, Sandy Macdonald, and sister in-law Kay Holborn.  Public Viewing will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Gray’s Funeral Chapel, 575 – 28th Street West, Prince Albert, SK.  Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday September 19, 2016 at St. Christopher Anglican Church Cemetery, Christopher Lake, SK with Pastor Dennis Serfas officiating.  A Celebration of Martin’s Life and lunch to follow at Sunnyside Bar.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca   Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

 

• Date : 2016-09-15
• Location : Emma Lake, SK