Neil Campbell Hazelwood

Neil Hazelwood was born on October 30, 1928. He was the third child of Ernest and Hazel Hazelwood. Ernest was born in 1894 in England and came to Canada in 1908 with his parents. Ernest returned to England with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and served for 3 years on the front lines during WWI. After the war, he returned to Canada and settled on a farm east of Prince Albert in Colleston. He called it “Sunset Farm”. It was here east of P.A. where he met and married Hazel Campbell. Hazel was born on her parent’s homestead in 1897 just southeast of Ernest’s settlement. They met and were married on January 1, 1923. They lived on Ernest’s settlement and had a family of Laurence, Irene, Neil and Pearl. Neil grew up on the Sunset Farm during the depression of the 30’s. Times were tough and they didn’t have many material possessions, but he said he could never remember being hungry. He attended Colleston School and worked on the family farm with his siblings, a horse named Prince and a dog named Whiskey. In 1944 and 1945 Neil went to PACI in Prince Albert to attend grade 10 and 11. After working on the family farm and for a few neighbours, Neil went to work for Sask. Power in 1952. He worked constructing the highline from Dafoe to Saskatoon and then from Luseland to Battleford. In 1953 while working in the Weyburn area, Neil was standing at the top of a 45’ power pole. The temperature was -30 and he had been clamping wire to insulators for a half hour. He decided there must be an easier way to make a living. He returned to Sunset Farm. During his years as a farmer, Neil was involved with many co-operatives. Elected to the Wheat Pool in the 50’s and a few years later was the founding secretary of the local Feeder Co-op. Neil spent 15 years as a Wheat Pool delegate representing District 15. A few years after resigning from the Wheat Pool, Neil was encouraged by neighbours to run for Municipal Council. Neil was elected and served for 25 years. He also served on the Holy Family hospital board for 6 years, Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce for 3 years and on the A.D.D. Board. In the late 1960’s while on a trip with friends to Christopher Lake, Neil was introduced to water skiing. Neil and his friends all pitched in and bought a boat together so they could spend every weekend during the summer perfecting their new sport. One weekend, Stan Pilikowski, who lived a mile from Sunset Farm brought his niece. Neil met Jody Budnik and they fell in love. In January Neil moved to Cassiar, BC with Jody where she was teaching school. In Cassiar, Neil worked at the skating/curling rink while Jody taught school. In April, Neil and Jody left Cassiar, flew to Vancouver and drove her Vauxhall back to Prince Albert where they prepared to put in another crop on the farm. Neil and Jody were married, started a family, and raised two boys. Neil spent his years on the farm working hard, being there for his wife, teaching his boys how to fish, golf, ride a bike, skate, play ball, drive a truck, farm and everything else he had learned over the years. Neil enjoyed golfing with Danny Panas and Stan Pilikowski and even had a hole in one. He was an avid curler and once recorded an 8 ender. Neil is survived by his loving wife Jody; his two sons Bryan (Toni) and Tyler; his parents-in-law Joseph and Marianna Budnik; his brother Laurence (Norma); his sister Irene Brown; special sisters-in-law Louise (Ross) Strachan, Cecilia (Jim) Hendry and Joan Harding; his brother-in-law John Weston; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents Hazel and Ernest Hazelwood; his mother-in-law Mary Budnik; his sister PearlWeston and other relatives. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012 at Calvary United Church, 114 – 25th Street East, Prince Albert, SK with Reverend Nora Vedress officiating. Interment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director.
 

• Date : 2012-06-16 06:00:00
• Location : Prince Albert, SK