Mr. Roland “Rollie” Cairns, late of Prince Albert, SK, beloved husband of Linda, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2020.  We are fondly remembering our husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague. Many have been touched in one way or another by him. He did not want to leave us, but sadly his fight to live was lost.

Rollie was born in Victoria, BC, on May 25, 1943, to Viola and George Cairns while his father served in the Navy during WWII. During the war years he moved to Sydney, Nova Scotia and then back to Saskatoon where he spent all of his growing up years. He grew up in a house on the grounds surrounding Westmount School so a full-sized skating rink, soccer pitch, ball diamonds and football field encouraged his development as an athlete. He excelled at hockey and at the age of 7 became a member of the team with 12 and 13 year olds.  He concluded his hockey career at the age of 65.   He also enjoyed soccer, fastball and played football at Bedford Road Collegiate where he graduated in 1961.  During his youth he was a Sea Cadet and ran a profitable paper route with the help of his brothers, Garry and Charlie.  All of this prepared him for being a great parent and he was involved with coaching minor league hockey, soccer and fastball which kept Todd and Trent motivated to become the great athletes they were as well.  Summers were spent teaching the boys golf from an early age to the present day.

After high school he began work with the Bank of Nova Scotia in Saskatoon and over 10 years moved to branches in Prince Albert, Wynyard, Regina, Avonlea and Melfort.  He continued to play ball and hockey in all of these locations.  While in Melfort, he reconnected with Linda while she was teaching in Red Earth Cree Nation. Even there he would play soccer and ball with the kids on weekends and introduced them to hockey as well.

Two years later, on August 8, 1970, they were married and a new chapter began. We were a winning combination for 50 years.  Up until his last moments, they reflected on all that they had to be grateful for and one another was at the top of the list.  They supported one another and together made an awesome team.

Rollie left the bank and became in employed with the PA Credit Union for the next 15 years as branch manager in Wakaw and PA and then into Head Office as Manager of Accounting.  In Wakaw he was active with the Lions Club, played fastball, and reinvented the Wakaw Lakers Sr. Men’s Hockey Team as player and coach.  In 1972, son Todd was born.

In 1973 we moved to Prince Albert where we have resided for 48 years. Trent was born in 1974. During this time Rollie earned his Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Saskatchewan. He coached and refed many youth minor hockey teams, and began work with SHA to initiate coaches through the various levels of certification throughout Northern and Central Saskatchewan.  He became President of the Crescent Heights Community Club and was part of the team that provided a covered arena.  He always made himself available to chaperone school band trips and camping opportunities.  He was a fan of the Raiders and we billeted for 6 years.  He was well respected and liked by the young people he was involved with.

In 1985 he left the Credit Union and moved on as accountant to Shoppers Drug Mart, Leons and Woodland Enterprises where he made many lasting friendships.

In 1998, Rollie was given the opportunity to serve as the Band Manager/Accountant at Sturgeon Lake First Nation for 14 years.  He then agreed to move over to the Health Centre as Operations and Finance Manager.  He signed up for 5 years and was still there at his passing.  He loved going to work.  He quickly made lasting connections as he grew as a manager and as a person spiritually. He was grateful for being accepted and willing to learn as he was invited to participate in the events and ceremonies.  Through the years he made a difference.  He took time to listen and help if possible.  He became involved in organizing youth hockey for a couple of years, helped Chair and work with the POW Wow committee; supported the development of youth golf and in the last two years was passionate about building a strong network of youth activities as they learned their identity as First Nations Youth.  He supported land- based healing, survival skills and cultural events as well.  Youth drumming, dancing, canoeing, archery, survival skills, sewing…. He believed in empowering the youth voice so as to motivate present and future generations to be the best they can be. He felt a strong tie to Sturgeon Lake and he thought of them as family and as a family member he was motivated to do whatever he could to make the world around him better, different and more each day of his life.  He mourned many who predeceased him and he valued all he connected with over the years.

He loved camping and spending weekends at the lake with the Cairns family.  Family was important and we hosted many family events and outings over the years until PA seemed to be too far from others.

In later years, reading, golfing with the family and friends, travelling and model railroading became his hobbies.  He helped form the Model Railroaders Club in PA and developed quite the railroad in our home which he was always eager to share with everyone who visited in our home.

After the passing of Trent in 2007, our passion became our grandson Brady, who we visited monthly for his first 10 years.  He loved travelling to watch Brady play football and wrestle.  Most of all he loved when we could have overnight visits as they built Lego, learned how to play card games, pool and shuffleboard, and shared and read stories.  He was grateful to have Brady in his life.

Rollie was predeceased by his parents, George and Viola Cairns, as well as his in-laws, Rudy and Helen Namtu, and son Trent Cairns, and nephew, Travis Brown.

He will be forever remembered and loved by his wife, Linda; son Todd and his wife Michelle (Calgary); grandson Brady Ross (Moose Jaw); brothers, Bruce & Garry Cairns (Craven); Charlie (Sue) Cairns, (Saskatoon); sister, Marilee Tate (Saskatoon); sister-in-law Karen (Martin) Brown, (Kelowna).  Nieces and nephews and their families were an important part of our family tapestry as we followed their lives and activities over the years.  Also an adopted daughter, Paris Lato and her family.

COVID will place restrictions on the time we have to celebrate Rollie’s life and we would like to thank people in advance for being patient as we make the opportunity to remember as safe as possible as we follow guidelines.  A Come and Go Time of Remembrance will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the Senator Allen Bird Gymnasium, 2300 9th Avenue West, Prince Albert, SK.  A Private Family Celebration of Life will be held.  A link to view the Celebration of Life service will be updated here at a later date.   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, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.

 

 

 

 

• Date : 2020-10-11
• Location : Saskatoon, SK