Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Austin Pearse
1913-2013
For most of you here today you will remember Austin as the farmer, A man highly connected to the soil. To some of us he was so much more than a Dad for two, Grandpa to five proud grandchildren, and Great Grandpa to ten more.
For many nephews he was their first employer and may have been noted on their resumes as their first summer job employment. A chance to not only to learn and experience approaching work as a gift, but the opportunity to be proud of a new skill learned and the praise of a job well done.
His centurion life spanned some of the most innovative of times. The advent of hydro, telephone, fax, internet, and indoor plumbing just to name a few were all to come to be in his time.
He never had GPS to farm with, and never competed in a plowing match. His fields were his plowing match, and he competed and steered his life every day as straight as GPS plowing, to do his best with pride. Despite long days of hard work and with all these new technologies he often spoke fondly of earlier times going to band in Markham with his father and brothers by horse and buggy.
He seldom spoke of love by name … but there was no lack of patience, forgiveness and love in our home. There was another side not known to so many. It was going to sleep in our home to the sound of mother and dad playing the organ and the piano together. Old hymns of faith and comfort to our family and its foundations now so fondly remembered.
He was blessed with a long healthy life, and many of you here today, added and contributed to that quality of life. Family friends and community was his life spark. He was a nurturer of baby chicks, newborn calves, faithful dogs and his family. Much of his wisdom and expectations for responsibility was learned at mealtime. Translation... even the dog knew open gates and cows getting out was a bad thing.
A country setting with all the seasons of living things brought him life, contentment and happiness.
Austin to most, Dad and Grandpa to some gave us the opportunity and encouragement in life to learn.
He will live on for us in our hearts and lives as our oldest best friend.
I am so proud we got to share him with you too.
