DUFFERIN SPAFFORD

DUFFERIN SPAFFORD
Dufferin Stewart Spafford died on May 14, 2014, fourteen months after he was diagnosed with a primary brain tumour. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Wilfred and Hazel Spafford. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, four children and their families: Sarah Spafford-Ricci, her husband Carlo Ricci, and children Hannah and Noah; Peter Spafford, his wife Deidra, and children Matthew, Megan and Michael; David Spafford and children Julia and Kathleen; and Paul Spafford. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Spafford, and his sister Janice (Garry) Shoquist. Duff was born March 18, 1936, at Weyburn, Saskatchewan, where his grandfather Dufferin Charles Spafford homesteaded in 1902 and built up a farm that was a model in the area. Living with his family on the farm and then in a succession of small towns left Duff with an enduring attachment to rural Saskatchewan. He grew up playing sports and played on hockey and baseball teams throughout his youth. After his high school years in Shellbrook, where he had a job at the weekly Chronicle and learned to set type, he worked as a city reporter and sometime sports editor at the Prince Albert Herald. There he became acquainted with the high school columnist, Shirley King, his future wife. As a student at the University of Saskatchewan, he was editor of The Sheaf in 1956-57 and worked part- time at the Western Producer. After graduation, he went on to study at the London School of Economics, returning to Saskatchewan to teach, first in the joint Department of Economics and Political science, and then in Political Studies. Over his forty years as a professor, he made notable contributions to political studies and research on elections. Beyond academic life, he was full of ideas and enthusiasms, among them collecting, gardening, sports, and books, the latter an interest shared with his brother Richard and sister Janice, both antiquarian booksellers. He assembled a significant collection of Saskatchewan archival materials and artifacts, including clay works made by the university's Department of Ceramics. He was a founding member and first treasurer of the Saskatchewan Perennial Society. After retirement, he started the College Building Book Collection of writings by University of Saskatchewan student authors. He was passionate about the university and its history, particularly the achievements of its alumni, and in the course of his research discovered long forgotten notable graduates. In the last year he was awarded an Alumni Achievement Award and was the first recipient of the USRA (University of Saskatchewan Retirees Association) Duff Spafford Award for Exceptional Service to the University Community, named in his honour. Duff especially loved the Saskatchewan countryside and travelling down country roads. His children attest that he was ahead of his time as a father, being a very engaged parent attending all of his children's activities, communicating with and advising his children very closely and volunteering as a coach for minor baseball and hockey teams, even serving as a hockey commissioner for area seven. He was an exceptional role model and endeared himself to his grandchildren by his playful sense of humour, his in-depth knowledge of sports and pop culture, and his appreciation of nature and birds. The family is grateful to the Palliative Care unit at St. Paul's Hospital for their exceptional compassion and excellent care In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Saskatchewan Archives. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 26th at 3:00 p.m. at the University Club. Condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME (244-5577).