Jim Cheyne
1929 - 2021
It is with great sadness that the family of Edward James Cheyne announces his passing on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at the age of 92 years.
Born on September 2, 1929, in Edam, Saskatchewan to Elfrieda and Edward Cheyne, Jim was the eldest of twelve siblings. He was raised on his parents’ farm at Fairholme, Saskatchewan. In 1956 Jim married the love of his life, Lilly Pylypow, and this year the couple celebrated their 65th anniversary. The couple moved to Taber in 1960 and Jim became an active member of the Taber community as a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, as a scout leader and member of the United Church Men’s Club.
During his long trucking career with various oil companies, he hauled fuel to the local farming community. A one-time farmer himself, he felt strongly that he was serving the most important people. Jim retired early to be a stay-at-home grandpa where he could be at home to help care for his grandchildren and working wife, and where he could dabble in another passion of his life, cooking.
Together with Lil, Jim was able to travel the world, seeing amazing sights in Scotland, Great Britain, Continental Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Hawaii, Mexico and the United States. Jim was passionate about sports, whether watching the Toronto Blue Jays and his beloved curling matches on television, or hitting the ice at the local curling rink himself. Jim bowled and downhill skied for many years and looked forward to seeing his family at our annual Cheyne golf tournaments. An avid outdoorsman, he took advantage of every opportunity to be in nature to go camping, fishing, canoeing or hiking with his family. He spent many memorable summers at his favorite spot, his father’s original homestead at Turtle Lake, Saskatchewan.
Jim was always excited to go “home” to Saskatchewan during spring work and harvest time to help his brother-in-law Bob Pylypow and family. He was a dedicated family man who truly loved his family and showed this every day through his support, patience and kind heart. He leaves a legacy of kindness and love and amazing storytelling. He will forever remain in our hearts as a loving husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa.
Jim is survived by his wife Lil of 65 years; daughters Donna Cheyne and Colleen (Michael) Banning; five grandchildren Amber (Tyler) Baines, Ryan (PJ) Cheyne, Jennie (Mark) Sudo, Lindsey (Brien) Gehring and Matthew Marklinger; six great grandchildren Teagan, Connor, Nathan, Emma, Carter and Olivia. Jim is also survived by one brother, Bob Cheyne of High River and six sisters Kathleen Croshaw of Eston, Saskatchewan, Annie Hawkins of Jacksonville, Florida, Vivian McNeilly of Fort McMurray, Mary Martens of Calgary, Mrs. Jean (Randy) Harris of Whitecourt and Mrs. Judy (Glen) Duggan of Langley, British Columbia; sisters-in-law Vanessa Cheyne of Delta, British Columbia and Barbara Cheyne of Red Deer. Jim is also survived by his Pylypow siblings and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was predeceased by his father Edward Cheyne (1968), his mother Elfrieda Cheyne (nee Wiczorek) (1991); brothers Jackie Cheyne (2018), Donald Cheyne (2018); sisters Bernice Walton (1979) and Betty Seitz (2000); brothers-in-law George Walton (1980), Les Martens (1998), Kenneth Croshaw (2008) and Dave McNeilly (2015).
Jim will be privately remembered by his family and friends.