Obituary of Morris Farquhar

On Thursday, April 4, 2024, James “Morris” Farquhar passed away unexpectedly at his home in Regina. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Beth; a beloved grandson; his parents; and mother and father-in-law.

Left to mourn his passing are his children, Deena (Blair Benedik) and their children of Saskatoon, Kerry (Trish) and their children of Prince George, Jonathan (Crystal) and their children also of Prince George, and Elisa (Jeff Mertick) and their children. He also leaves to mourn step-grandson Branden (Chelsea) and their children. He also leaves to mourn his brothers, Murray (Irene) and Richard (Elizabeth) and their families; sister, Denise (Todd) Gabler and their family; as well as brother-in-law, Steve Listmayer and sisters-in- law, Anne Friesen, and Sylvia (Clive) Mason; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Morris was born in Brandon, MB on November 22, 1940, the oldest of Arnold and Jennie Farquhar’s four children. While school age, both he and his brother, Murray, started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. During this time, at age 17, he began his employment with Canadian National Railways as a telegrapher. His work took him across the prairie provinces and from Churchill Manitoba  into northern Ontario and the lake head area.  All the while, he kept actively studying the Bible and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1961. In 1963, Morris tried farming, but he went back to CNR in 1964, however, this time on the running crew as a brakeman/conductor until his retirement.

Morris met Elizabeth Listmayer in September 1962 and married her on August 24, 1963. His soon to be sister-in-law, Mary found out that Morris did not know how to dance and taught him how to dance for their wedding. Morris took to dancing like a duck to water! He and Beth loved to dance and there were times that he would grab Beth for a dance around the kitchen, just for fun.

Together they shared their faith with their four children, friends, and neighbours. Their faith was that important to them that each had prayed before marriage to find someone who loved Jehovah God as much as they did. Years later, while reminiscing about their courtship, they found out that they were an answer to each others' prayers!

They lived in three provinces, making lifelong friendships along the way. While Morris was known to have many a story about his time on the railway, he enjoyed hiking, camping, and loved nature, sharing his interests with his children and grandchildren. He and Beth hiked numerous trails throughout the prairie provinces as well as British Columbia and Ontario walking hundreds of kilometres over the 57 years of marriage. Every spring they would take some of the grandchildren to go hiking locally to look for crocuses. He was a jack of all trades, doing many building projects over the years. Even while working long hours on the railway, he raised chickens, geese and ducks as well and having acres of gardens. He also enjoyed caring for and raising a Canada goose named Sundance along with his horses.

Morris was always busy and loved gardening and cooking. One of his yearly projects was making horseradish custard, which he shared with friends and family. He was always willing to lend a hand, the type of person to give the shirt off his back and offer his jacket too. He never went anywhere empty handed and did not believe in uncomfortable silences. He took his spiritual responsibilities seriously and did what he could to educate many and offer guidance from God’s Word in a way that many respected.

While we will miss him dearly, we look forward to the promise that we will see Dad and Mom reunited and enjoying life as Jesus, Our Ransomer, promised at John 5:28, 29; “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs, will hear his voice and come out…to a resurrection of life.”

#JustAroundTheCorner

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2020 Van Egmond Place, Regina, SK. For those unable to attend, a livestream will be held via Zoom, ID: 848 2997 9093 Password: 101268.