Paul Beingessner

PAUL JOSEPH BEINGESSNER of Truax, Saskatchewan, passed away suddenly on June 25, 2009 at the age of 55 years. Paul was born April 26, 1954 in Moose Jaw and spent most of his life on the family farm at Truax. He is predeceased by his father, Herbert, and survived by his mother, Agnes, his wife Faye, his sisters Dolores (Ken), Rita (Bill), Cathy (Lawrence), and Virginia, his children Naomi (Dan), Chris (Brenda), Kate, and their mother Laura, and his sons James (Carolyn), and David. He doted on his grandchildren, Vincent, Norah and Edith. After getting a B.A. (Hon) in Psychology from the University of Regina in 1976, he worked with at-risk youth at the Roy Wilson Centre in Sedley. The patience and compassion he exhibited with these youth characterized all of his interactions with people and animals throughout his life. Returning to the farm full-time in 1981, Paul farmed alongside his father and raised grain, cattle, chickens, turkeys and a formidable army of cats. Never one to sit idly, in addition to farming Paul served as a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Delegate from 1996 to 1998. He was instrumental in the founding of Saskatchewan's first short-line railway, Southern Rails Co-operative, and served as general manager from 1991 to 1997. When he left Southern Rails, he stayed on as a board member, and worked with the Ministry of Highways Short Line Advisory Unit supporting other efforts of farmers to start short-line railways. Since 1991, Paul wrote a weekly column on farming and transportation issues with a social justice focus featured in papers across Western Canada. After leaving the government in 1999, his expertise on transportation issues resulted in consulting work across Western Canada and the United States, which he continued up until his untimely passing. He was named an honorary lifetime member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists in 2008. Though he was active with his work off the farm, his true passion was farming, the land, and community. He loved everything to do with the outdoors hunting, bird-watching, camping, gardening, and searching for rocks with fossils while walking countless miles of railroad track and fence. Paul's compassion stretched to all living things; he often doctored sick cats, lambs, and even wildlife he came across, in an effort to save a life. He loved to organize drama for the children in the area and produced an annual Christmas play with them that brought the community together. Paul was thirsty for knowledge, and there was hardly anything that he couldn't do or wouldn't try. If he didn't know how to do something, he would find out. No matter how serious life and politics became, Paul never lost his trademark sense of humour; it was a pleasure to endure his teasing or fall victim to one of his practical jokes. Above all, Paul was a man of faith, and served as a liturgical coordinator in his parish. Vigil for Paul will be held at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, July 1st at St. Anne's Catholic Parish in Truax, Saskatchewan. A Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2nd, at St. Joseph's Catholic Parish in Claybank. Interment will follow at the Truax CemeteryCatholic Section. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory can be made to Amnesty International or Development and Peace. Arrangements are in care of John Schachtel -Mourning Glory Funeral Services -Saskatoon (978-5200)