Obituary of Earl Potts

In the quiet embrace of his family's love, Earl peacefully embarked on his final journey home on January 4, 2024, at the age of 90.

Earl Potts was born Oliver Earl Potts in 1933 on the family farm in Nottingham, SK, he was one of the cornerstones of a hardworking farm family that contributed to the rich tapestry of the province he held dear.

Earl, predeceased by his parents, his sister Velma, and brother Orville. He leaves a profound void in the hearts of his devoted wife Patricia of 63 years, their three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on through his daughter Laura, granddaughter Leaine (Ron), grandson Adam (Sierra), granddaughter Danielle (Logan), and their children Brooks and Palmer; Daughter Kathy, granddaughter Quincy, son Ryan (Shirley), and grandsons Owen and Ethan also carry forward his memory. He is also survived by his sister Grace (Arlie); sisters-in-law Sarah and Lois, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Earl was not just a patriarch; he was the embodiment of love, a guiding light for his children and his grandkids, and an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather.

He left his home at 15 years old to work on a family farm in Benito, Manitoba, navigating tough times in the 40’s, he prioritized self-sufficiency over formal education.

Earl's journey soon took him back to his beloved Saskatchewan, where he spent his early working years contributing to building the backbone of small-town Saskatchewan through his laboring work on construction sites, building grain elevators, TV towers and schools during the late 40’s and 50’s.

When he married his sweetheart in 1960, his life was never idle. He worked a short time in security for the Moose Jaw Police. Earl bounced at Temple Gardens and delivered milk using one of the last horse and wagon teams for early morning milk runs. His horse "Fred," was his trusted companion on those journeys and he relied on his four-legged companion to show him the road.

An entrepreneur at heart, in the early 60s, he worked as a sales rep for Carling Breweries, traveling across Saskatchewan, visiting all the small-town bars and hotels, attending rodeos, participating in chuckwagon trails, and numerous ball and hockey games while sponsoring them all. He loved meeting the people of this province from all walks of life and connecting with them in ways that only he could. He loved to tell and hear stories and spent his time meeting and greeting and creating relationships with the small-town farming folks around this province. In the early 70s, he and Patricia embraced an entrepreneurial opportunity, becoming small-town hotel and bar owners. His ability to connect with people continued to make lasting impressions throughout his ventures.

After retiring from the bar business, Earl continued spreading positivity and making connections in Regina's hospitality industry, working at the Centre of the Arts (Conexus Arts Centre). He had a unique ability to make everyone feel at ease, from the local community to famous individuals like Dwight Yoakam, Reba McIntyre, Don Williams, and Glen Campbell, only to name a few, whom he met quite frequently at the Conexus Arts Centre. Whether it was a renowned celebrity or a familiar face from the neighborhood, Earl saw no difference – people were people, and he treated them all with genuine respect and kindness.

His affable nature and warm demeanor allowed him to effortlessly engage with both local nurses and doctors during one of his long-time roles as a Commissionaire, after he retired from the Conexus Arts Centre. His approachability and warmth created an atmosphere where everyone felt right at home. Even after retiring at the young age of 83, he continued to love dancing, socializing, fishing and family barbecues, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of crossing his path. Earl always looked forward to spending the summers on the deck and it made the cold Saskatchewan winters bearable!

In his final days, Earl spoke of reuniting with brothers-in-law Freddy and Mervyn, and we knew his time with us was coming to a close. The bond of these three brothers-in-law is eternal and we envision them now sharing a beer and exchanging tall tales as only those 3 could, together again.

As we grieve, we also celebrate the remarkable legacy Earl leaves behind. We thank everyone who has been part of his journey and express heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at the Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit.

Earl, you did it your way, and we are forever grateful for the love, memories, and enriching years you shared with us.

A Celebration of Earl's life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Palliative Care Unit, Pasqua Hospital because of their unwavering commitment, compassion and dignity that they bestowed upon our Dad in his final hours. Our family is so grateful.