Obituary of Spencer Juggins

B I O G R A P H Y JUGGINS: Spencer Bruorton Juggins passed away in the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre, Lloydminster, Alberta on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at the age of 90 years. Spencer is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Spencer was predeceased by: his brother Doug Juggins; two sisters: Kathleen Payne and Vivienne McMillan. The funeral service for Spencer was conducted from St. John's Anglican Church, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Friday, May 20, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend David Turvey officiating.. A eulogy was given by Randal Payne. A solo "The Love of God," was sung by Cindy Simpson. The hymns sung were "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," and "In The Garden," accompanied on the organ by Pat Skinner. Active pallbearers were: Wayne McMillan, Lloyd Payne, Gerald Popowich, Glen Popwich, Rocky Kile and Walter Hrycauk. Interment followed in the Northminster Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy as given by Randal Payne Spencer Juggins was born November 26, 1914 on the farm eleven miles north of Lloydminster, the third child of Harry and Grace Juggins. He grew up there with his two sisters, Kathleen Payne and Vivienne (Molly) McMillan, and his brother, Douglas Juggins. Imagine the changes he witnessed in his 90 ½ years: from the horse and buggy days, riding horse-back to the little Durness school, the haying, plowing and threshing with horse-drawn machinery, to the present day air-conditioned tractors, combines and computer-run farms. Uncle Spen kept abreast with the times, and was always extremely interested in what was happening in the farming community. He loved to reminisce about his farming years; he could tell you about the storms or bumper crops they had seventy-five years ago. And, his nieces and nephews love to reminisce about him. They remember when they were young and coming to the Lloydminster fair, their Uncle Spen would take them on all the rides, and he had as much fun as they did. They remember him taking them around to the back of the house to show them a tiny blue birds nest made in the pocket of his plaid shirt that he had left hanging there. They remember going with Uncle Spen to get the cows home for milking. Ken and Vivienne were picking strawberries along the way, and were puzzled as to why Uncle Spen kept stepping on the berries. When they questioned him, they heard an answer that fascinated them: Spen was color-blind and couldn’t distinguish the strawberries from the rest of the foliage. What fun and enjoyment his first generation nieces and nephews had making great dance music on those cold winter evenings around the old wood heater, with Gramps on the piano, Uncle Doug on the violin, and Uncle Spen on the guitar which he bought from the Eatons catalogue. The kids would rob Grannie’s kitchen and add drums, rattles, and scrub board sounds until the old roof was ready to lift. Spencer was a great listener, and his great nephews and nieces remember many long, entertaining, and often funny conversations about the day’s news and sporting events, especially about how well the Edmonton Oilers were doing at that particular time. Uncle Doug would do most of the talking, but Spen was never left out, always nodding along, and exclaiming his amazement at Wayne Gretzky’s latest record. When Uncle Doug passed away, many of us were amazed at how much more Uncle Spen suddenly had to say, but all those years of active listening meant that he’d been “storing up”. In his later years, when he moved into the Pioneer Lodge and Dr. Cooke Extended Care Home, he became well known as a colourful character. He loved to talk, and enjoyed visiting with anyone that came along. He had strong opinions, and never hesitated to share them in debate. It was a great adventure for him to travel by bus to Banff and Jasper with the Pioneer Lodge. At the Dr. Cooke, he especially enjoyed the Little Buddy System, doing crafts and visiting with the school students. The youngsters enjoyed him too, judging from the many “thank you” notes he received from them. Birthday parties and cake were very important to Uncle Spen. He even started buying his own birthday cakes, and sometimes ended up with two or three at a time, which he freely shared with the nurses and staff. Shopping was another important part of his life: he had a substantial collection of well over one hundred cassette tapes. This Monday afternoon he made his last purchase – a pocket radio with ear phones, making that his third radio in his room. That must be why he was always up to date on current events. He loved music and enjoyed the singsongs at the Lodge. He took great pleasure in choosing the tunes, and often had to reluctantly stifle his enthusiasm to give the other residents a chance to choose the next song. His religious faith was strong and when he was healthy, he never missed a church service at the Dr. Cooke. He often ended a conversation or a visit with a prayer. Uncle Spen would tell anyone who would listen that he was treated like a King at both Pioneer Lodge and Dr. Cooke Extended Care home. Thank-you Dr. Crossley and the staff for their loving care in looking after Uncle Spen. Spencer was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Grace Juggins, his sister, Kathleen and her husband, Norman Payne, his sister Vivienne, and her husband, Harold McMillan, his brother Douglas, his nephew, Kenneth Payne, his great nephew, Arnold Payne, and nephew-in-law, Ken Kile. Today we are here to remember him, and to say good-bye. Those of us who knew him remember his particular way of seeing us off, little phrases that attested to his warmth, humour, and wisdom. To the ladies, he always said, “Keep a smiling!” To the men, he said, “Keep your stick on the ice.” Card of Thanks We would like to express our appreciation and thanks to Dr. Crossley, the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Staff and We Care Home Services who patiently cared for our uncle. Thank you to Reverend Turvey, Glenn McCaw and McCaw Funeral Service for your assistance and guidance. Also, a special “Thank you” to family and friends for the cards, flowers and donations. Donations in memory of Spencer may be made to St. Luke's North Minster Cemetery or a Charity of the Donor's Choice.