Obituary

Earl Cummins

In Loving Memory of

Earl Cummins

of Edmomton
Jun 3, 1922 - Jul 3, 2012

 

It is with great sadness that the family of Earl Porter Cummins announces his passing at the age of 90 years. The memory of Earl’s quick wit and love of laughter and fun will always be cherished by everyone who knew and loved him. He will be lovingly remembered by Leota, his wife of nearly 70 years; children; Colleen Foster, Gail Duguid, Ron (Rhonda) Cummins, and Brenda (Bob) Barrigan; grandchildren in whom he found great joy, Mitch (Lee), Graham (Suzanne), and Shelley(Christian Tirabassi) Foster; Bradley(Marie Brook)Duguid; Patrick, Paul, and Jennifer Cummins; and Bonnie (Rob Cook) and Robbie (Kim) Barrigan; and great grandchildren; Jack and Joe Foster, Emma Foster, and Liam and Isabel Barrigan. Earl is also survived by sisters, Joyce Elfner and Bette Wilson. He was predeceased by sister, Ellie Devolin and brothers, Bill, Lloyd, and Jack Cummins.

Earl was born in Didsbury, Alberta of immigrant parents; Johanna Magdelena Deenik from Holland and John Henry Porter Cummins from Ireland. At the age of 5, he moved with his widowed mother and siblings to Northern Ireland where he spent 2 happy years with Irish relatives before the family returned to Didsbury. He finished his schooling there. Earl joined the RCAF in 1942 and was stationed at Canadian bases at St Thomas and Brandon until the end of the war. He then worked in the grocery industry for many years. Some of his happiest years in this industry were spent deep in the Spray Lakes area of the Rocky Mountains during the building of the Spray Dams. He came to know every stream and trail throughout this beautiful area and developed a life-long love of mountains, forests, and spending time in these wonderful surroundings. In 1955 he and Leota bought property at Winterburn where they planted many trees. The acreage became a true bird sanctuary where they have lived ever since. He began a serious career as a watercolour artist in 1974 and his love of nature and the outdoors is evident in his art.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at Foster and McGarvey Funeral Home, 10011 – 114 Street, Edmonton on Monday, July 9th at 1:30 PM.

Earl’s ashes will rest with his father in the family plot in Didsbury.

Donations in memory of Earl may be made to the charity of one’s choice.