It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Monty Rae Thompson.

Monty was born on June 10, 1945, at Section 23, Township 54, Range 8, West of the 3, Saskatchewan. This was more commonly known as the Wrixon/Erinferry area. He has resided in Big River all his adult life.

Monty passed away March 1, 2023, at the Shellbrook Integrated Health Facility at the age of 77, after a very brief battle with cancer.

Monty’s parents moved from Webb, SK to the Wrixon area in 1941. Monty was the eldest of two sons born to Neil and Grace Thompson. He went to school at Bodmin and Big River on Urgel Burnett’s bus. Monty started working at the Erinferry store in 1961 and drove the school bus from 1963 to 1966.

He was a mechanic at Carmen Weir’s Esso Station & Garage from 1966 to 1978. Next, he worked for Lyle Yurach in the construction business from 1978 to 1981. The Big River Tree Nursery was his workplace from 1981 to 1998. Monty spent from 1998 until he retired in 2004 with Saskatchewan Wildfire Management at the Big River base. He considered it his dream job as he was a true “maintenance specialist” and loved the challenge of keeping everything in working order.

Monty was a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Big River and enjoyed snowmobiling and boating. He loved working in his shop, was an excellent gardener, and carried on cooking all his mom’s traditional holiday recipes including raspberry jam.

Monty is lovingly remembered by:

Patricia (Dennis) Thompson (sister-in-law) and their family:

Niece Catherine (Ellery) Demedash and their children Nicholas, Christopher, and Rebecca;

Nephew Brian (Amy Ingram) Thompson;

Niece Heather (Jay Hawranik) Thompson

Bernard (Eva) Larsen (special friends) and their family:

Niece Cortney Larsen

Niece Naomi (Jeremy) Marose and their son Madden

Nephew Noland (Shannon) Larsen and their children Brielle and Thomas

Monty leaves to mourn many long-time family and community friends, former co-workers, and neighbours.

He is predeceased by:

His parents Archibald “Neil” and Catherine Grace Thompson (nee: Gordon)

His brother Dennis Thompson

Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and some cousins

A celebration of life will be held June 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in the Legion Hall in Big River, followed by a private burial in the Big River Cemetery.

Donations in memory may be made to the Big River Long Term Care Auxiliary.

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, R. Mark Muir Funeral Director, Big River, SK (306) 469-2277.

• Date : 2023-03-01
• Location : Big River, SK