Obituary of Cecil Hudson

HUDSON, CECIL "NEIL" January 17, 1940 - May 19, 2008 It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Neil Hudson. Neil was born in Lloydminster and was the second child of Gordon and Irene Hudson (nee Payne). Neil was raised and lived his entire life in Lloydminster. Neil attended public school at the Meridian School and the old Winston Churchill School. In 1955, at the age of fifteen he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Lloydminster Fire Department. While attending High School, he worked part-time in the family theatre business which included the Empress and Rio theatres. After graduation, he then worked full-time in the theatres and the C & H Drive-IN. In 1961, Neil married Lois Reid from Rivercourse, Alberta. They quickly settled into family life and had three children in just over a years, with twin daughters and then a son. Following the birth of their daughters, they purchased their first and only home, which they lived in the rest of their lives. Weekends and holidays were usually spent visiting with family and friends. Summer vacations were spent camping at the lake or traveling around Albert and British Columbia. When the theatre business was sold, Neil started work for the City of Lloydminster in 1964. He worked for a variety of City Departments, which included Water and Sewer, the Water Treatment Plant and the City Police. During that time he also continued as a volunteer with the Lloydminster Fire Department and worked his way up the ranks as a Fire Captain and then Deputy Chief. In 1979, he became the full-time Deputy Fire Chief, a position he held until his retirement from the City in 2004. Neil spent his retirement continuing to do volunteer work for several groups and organizations along with being active in both Federal and Provincial politics. Neil was predeceased by his life-long companion and wife Lois, who passed away in August of 2007. Neil is survived by his twin daughters: Sherry (Myron) Wetzstein, Shelly (Darrel) Dow; one son Wayne Hudson; two granddaughters: Michelle Dow and Megan Hudson; seven grandsons: Steven and Devin Dow, Michael and Adam Wetzstein, Mark, Henry and Hayden Hudson; and one great grandson, Kaiden Dow. Three recent family members include Kaila Paterson, Darcy Kuzyk and Nicole Miller. He is also survived by one sister Karen (Don Young) of Edmonton, Alberta and numerous other relatives. Fond memories and thoughts of our father, grandfather, and great grandfather were shared at a private family interment that was held at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery (Dina District) on Friday, May 22, 2008. Neil will be truly missed by all of us. Our thanks to the many family and friends for the phone calls, flowers, cards, food and donations. A special thanks you to Glenn McCaw and staff of McCaw's Funeral Home and to Pastor Lyle for their professional services and assistance to our family during this difficult time. Grandfather Poem ~ Missing You Read by: Michelle Dow ~ Granddaughter I was what you called your little squirrel, And what you also called your little girl. Near the peach tree where you had laid, I wanted you to have stayed another day. But I felt a peace when the wind would blow, Only to hear you say I must go. Now that you are deceased, We pray that you are at peace. Because when Grandma died, You knew that you had tried. And in your heart you were so blue, But we knew Grandma loved you. I wish I could again see you, Because our hearts are also so blue. Your life on Earth I know became boring, But now you can rest while we are mourning. And how you and Grandma can be together, Because we know you are much better. Why did you have to die, But for now we must say goodbye. From Neil's Entire Family Donations in memory of Neil may be made to the Lloydminster Archives, the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.