Obituary of Mal Drever

BIOGRAPHY DREVER ~ Malcolm "Mal" Murray Drever passed away peacefully at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at the age of 75 years. Mal will be sadly missed by his wife Celia; his three children: Malcolm & Susan Drever of Lloydminster, Debbie Pidwerbesky of Lloydminster, Cameron & Christine Drever of Saskatoon; ten grandchildren; one great granddaughter; two brothers: Jim & Jackie Drever of Winnipeg, Bruce & Donna Drever of Winnipeg as well as numerous other relatives. The funeral service was conducted from Southridge Community Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Brad Berkan officiating. The hymns sung were "Amazing Grace", "My Jesus I Love Thee" and "How Great Thou Art" accompanied on the piano by Ruth Knispel. The scripture reading was Psalm 23 read by Murray Drever. The eulogy was given by Malcolm, Debbie and Cameron. Favorite memories were shared by granddaughter Kristin Weaver. Elayne Harris -Lorenz sang "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus". Honorary pallbearers were All Those Who Shared In Mal's Life. Active pallbearers were Malcolm Drever, Cameron M. Drever, Wade Weaver, Cameron B. Drever, Murray Drever and Travis Pidwerbesky. Interment was held at Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY We are here today to honour and celebrate the life of a husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother and friend Mal Drever. Dad was born July 20th, 1934 in the small village of Fox Warren, Manitoba to Alf and Effie Drever. He was an only child for 10 years until his brother Jim was born followed shortly there after by Bruce. Dad spent most of his younger years growing up in and around Winnipeg. At the age of eighteen dad went to work at Winnipeg City Hydro as a mail boy and worked his way up to the credit department. There he met a young girl named Celia, but it was definitely not love at first sight for her. Dad eventually succeeded in convincing mom to go on that first date and they never looked back. They dated for five years and were married on June 1st, 1957. They celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary this past June and have remained each others best friend throughout the years. In their 52 years together they had three wonderful children, ten grandchildren and one cute great granddaughter. Dad worked for I.A.C., a finance company for seventeen years being transferred many times ending up in Lloydminster in 1966 to manage the Lloyd office. In the spring of 1970 he made a career change and purchased the local Texaco bulk fuel dealership from a good friend, Vern Markland. Dad spent 20 years flying the Texaco flag and in April 1990 merged his operation with the Esso Dealership and eventually bought out his partners. Over the years, dad's good business sense and people skills grew this business significantly. Dad retired from the business world in 1997 but remained very active in the community. After retiring dad drove school bus which he thoroughly enjoyed up until the time he was diagnosed with leukemia. He had a stern but gentle attitude about him that enabled him to gain the respect of young and old alike. Over the years Dad was involved in many community service groups including: Toast Masters, Lions and Elks. He was a Rotarian member since 1968 serving as president in 1979. He has also served on the business operating committee of Southridge Community Church, Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Lloydminster Flying Club. Flying has always been one of Dad's greatest passions. On any nice day you could count on dad being up in "HIS SKY". He thought nothing of practicing stalls and spins but when on the ground was scared stiff of heights. Dad loved to fly, he loved to talk flying, he loved to read flying, he loved to sit and watch planes take off and land, in fact he loved absolutely anything to do with flying. Flying wasn't the only past time he enjoyed. As a youth dad enjoyed down hill skiing. Dad got back into this activity later in life and finally convinced mom to join him when in their 50's. They enjoyed annual ski trips with his brothers and their wives: Bruce, Donna, Jim and Jackie right up until this past December. When dad required his third and final round of chemotherapy his doctor was unable to contact him. When she finally was able to reach him on his cell phone she wanted to know where he was and why she had not been able to get a hold of him. Dad answered, "I am skiing in Banff" and her reply was "well if your still strong enough for skiing your strong enough for another round of Chemo". When he was in the hospital he was asked if he wanted extraordinary measures to save his life and his reply was "YES! I'm going skiing in March!" Dad stayed young at heart through his many other interests including traveling in his motor home, dancing, rollerblading, bowling and spending time with his dog Darby. He walked Darby three miles a day right up until this past March. After this time he continued to walk his dog however because of his failing health he had to switch to the aid of a scooter. He loved and treated Darby like a forth child. Dad and mom have belonged to a care group for many years. Through this experience Dad grew strong in his faith and developed many close friendships that he treasured. The numerous friends dad made through the years were very dear and important to him. He had friends in many different circles. Whether they were his flying friends, dancing friends, church friends or business friends each and everyone was cherished. Above all else dad was a dedicated family man. From his example we learned the importance of family. He taught us to live life with a positive attitude. I know I speak for my brothers as well when I say we had an AMAZING man for a father. Dad's life was his family and it was evident each and every day. He filled all of our lives with an abundance of unconditional love and he was loved so much and admired by us all in return. He always looked on the bright side of things and had a smile on his face no matter what. Dad always preached to us about attitude. He had a plaque that he had for years that said "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." Each time he went into the hospital over the last five years that plaque was with him and it was so apparent each and every day that dad believed strongly in the words on that plaque. While undergoing treatment in the University Hospital, Dad was asked by the hematology nurses if he would talk to and encourage other leukemia patients. The hospital staff was so impressed by his positive attitude and sense of humor no matter what the day brought his way. Dad fought a courageous battle and never once complained. He went through so much and yet it was he who picked our spirits up. About two weeks ago as I was sitting with dad having a heart to heart I asked him if he was sad or scared because I sure was. And he said to me "How could I be Debs? I have had the best life anyone could ever have, I had the best wife, the best kids, and the best grand kids. I talk to God everyday and I know he is with me and gives me strength". Throughout his illness when you asked dad how he was his response was always "100% and I look good too". His attitude showed through once again. We always prayed for more time with you dad. God answered those prayers and gave us the past 5 and a half years together. No time would ever have been the right time to say goodbye. We love you so much dad and will miss you more than anything. But we know you're with God and at peace in heaven now. Don't worry Dad, we will be there for mom and each other and we will be OK. You will be in our hearts forever. Love you Dad. TRIBUTE TO GRANDPA When I first sat down to write this I didn't know where to begin. How can words on paper really describe such an amazing and wonderful man? My grandpa was like a dad to me, but not only to me but also to my sisters and brother. Grandpa was so involved in my life that I know all the memories we have shared together will be with me forever. The memories he has given to me are something so special that I know they will help me through these tough times and with many other things I will come across in my life. Before I can even begin, people should know that my grandpa lived a wonderful happy life with no regrets. My grandpa lived his life exactly how he preached it to us. Now I just want to share a little bit of a letter that my grandpa wrote to me. "The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It's more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, or what other people think, say or do. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in certain ways. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is change our attitude. I am convinced life is 10% what happens and 90% how I react to it. So what is up to us is just our attitude." I would just like to share a few memories about grandpa that always seem to make us smile. My grandpa didn't care what others thought. His favorite outfit for winter said it all. My grandpa would wear his boots never done up, just a pair of jeans, a shirt and topped it all off with his ripped ski jacket held together by his favorite DUCT TAPE...(Even though in the closet at home there was a brand new ski jacket hanging there for him). Grandpa not only used DUCT tape on his old jackets but he used it for just about everything. A true fact is my grandpa used DUCT tape to hold a piece of his airplane together. Back when my sister Jenna and I were in elementary school I remember Jenna coming home telling us about her embarrassing moment she had that day. Grandpa was bringing us all lunch that day and Jenna was sitting in class. Jenna heard grandpa coming down the hall by the sound of his big undone boots. He popped into the classroom and yelled out "Delivery boy for Jenna Pidwerbesky!" Jenna almost died of embarrassment. My grandpa put the lunch on Jenna's desk and whispered to Jenna...I embarrassed you didn't I? Jenna nodded and grandpa quickly got out of there. Another cute story... Grandma and Grandpa had bought all the grand kids a little welsh pony. A bunch of us were all out at my aunt and uncle's acreage and grandpa wanted to show all of us how to ride a horse bareback. Grandpa used to do this all the time growing up but maybe he lost the hang of it! He grabbed the pony's mane and swung himself over "Ginger". Ginger took off and grandpa was hanging on for dear life, but that wasn't enough because grandpa flopped right around the horse and fell hard to the ground. We were all worried and kept asking grandpa if he was OK because it looked like it hurt. Grandpa slowly got up, brushed himself off and said "I just wanted to show you kids how you DON'T ride bareback". Grandpa knew this probably would worry grandma so he made us promise that "This is our little secret, don't tell grandma". One more very special memory that I want to share was when I was 14 years old. I remember it so clearly. My grandpa and I were driving around like usual and I asked grandpa an important question "Grandpa, someday when I am older and I get married would you walk me down the aisle?" My grandpa looked at me and started to cry, finally he said, "Girl I would be honored". My dream came true four months ago when I married Wade. The day couldn't have been more perfect. I got to walk down the aisle arm in arm with the man that helped me to be the woman I am today. I couldn't have asked for more! Wade and I really look up to my grandma and grandpa for what we want our marriage to be like. As I grew up it was so nice to watch two people who were so in love and always remained best friends throughout the years. Grandma, your love for one another was so special and I know you both could not have picked better life partners. Grandma, we will always be here for you and I know grandpa will be watching over us all until we are all reunited once again in heaven. I love you grandpa and you will always be in our thoughts... CARD OF THANKS The family of Mal Drever would like to express their appreciation for the love and caring shown to them in the passing of their husband, father and grandfather. A special thank you to Dr. Larrat (U of A) and Dr. Chan for taking care of Mal throughout his illness. Also thank you to the many nurses and doctors who took care of Mal during his many stays in the hospital. Thank you Pastor Brad Berkan for his comforting words and many visits and to Ruth Knispel for her music and Elayne Harris-Lorenz for singing. Thank you also to the Ladies for serving such a wonderful lunch. We also extend a special thank you to everyone for the flowers, food, cards and donations. Many thank to Glenn McCaw for handling the funeral arrangements in such a professional and compassionate way. Celia Drever Malcolm and Susan Drever and Family Debbie Pidwerbesky and Family Cameron and Christine Drever and Family Donations in memory of Mal may be made to the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation or a charity of the donors choice.