STANLEY AUSTMAN

Austman, Stanley Joseph Curling legend Stan Austman of Saskatoon, formerly of Kenaston slides peacefully away with his family at his side on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon after a well-fought battle with cancer. He took this on like he did a curling game, each time coming back from a major defeat, like when he was four down going home without the hammer and stole five. Stan was born on August 20, 1936 at Kenaston. He is survived by his sister Phyllis, of Saskatoon, his daughter Vickie Miller (Wade Boe) of Guernsey; children Dusty and Stephanie (Travis Runn) of Saskatoon, his son Jeff (Marlene) of Kenaston; children J.J. (Lindsay Ziola) and Christine (Michael) McKechnie of Saskatoon, his wife of 32 years, Lorine Austman and his son-in-law Darwin Miller both of Kenaston, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Clarence and Gerry Torguson; and brotherin-law Wes Torguson, as well as numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his parents Theresa and Joseph Austman, Vickie's partner Harvey Sigfusson and sister-in-law Anne Leonard. Stan was a man who wore many hats career wise, sports wise, and actually wearing them on his head. He was a Voc. Ag. grad in 1958 and farmed for forty years, making sure there were no weeds, rows were straight. He also loved his yellow CCIL combines and the crews who helped out. His many careers included the PFAA as inspector; at the Tartan Curling Club in Regina as a curling instructor and assistant manager; as a Taxi Driver in Saskatoon and later for his grandchildren, their friends and anyone who needed a ride; at the Grain Commission as a grader and in Sandy Bay as an Addiction Counselor and Substitute Teacher. Stan was inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in November of 1995, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in June of 1995 and the Kenaston Athletics Wall of Honour in 2005. His curling highlights and accomplishments were many; curling 5013 games in his life, a Region 6 coordinator of the Saskatchewan Curling Association for 12 years and a lifetime member on the Sask. Sport Committee for several years. He won two consecutive Canadian High School Boys Championships with the Bayne Secord Rink in 1954 and 1955 and two consecutive University titles in 1956 and 1957 with his own team. He won the Vancouver Car Bonspiel in 1962 with the Merv Mann Rink and also curled in the British Empire Games with the Bayne Secord Rink. He curled in the Dominion Championships, in the Elks (a 45 year member) and Massey Ferguson, as well as many provincial playdowns in Men's, Mixed, Elks, Texaco and Farmers. He was well known for the time he slid all the way down the ice and put the rock on the button as a demonstration, which changed curling forever by adding a Hog line rule. His favorite memory was being Eugene Hritzak's fifth man and coach in Moncton in 1985 where he realized his life long dream of curling in the Brier. He was a friend and inspiration to all who knew him, including the SCA, the curling circuit, his friends in Bill W, Harry Bailey Swimming, Brier, Craven, his combine crews, A teams as we called them. No one will forget his big heart and a smile. A service of remembrance will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Kenaston on Saturday January 28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Gene Whitehead officiating. Interment will be in Kenaston Cemetery, with lunch to follow at Kenaston Place. For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Stan can be made to the Kenaston Cemetery Fund, the Elk's Purple Cross Fund or to the charity of your choice. Hanson's Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.