Obituary of Alvin Reinhold Schaefer

Alvin Reinhold Schaefer, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away in Regina Monday, December 9, 2024, after a full 90 years of living.

Known by most of his friends and family as Al, he was born on April 4, 1934, in Broadview, SK.

A strong student in high school, Al moved to the big city of Regina in 1952 following Grade 12 graduation.

A good head for numbers put him in charge of the books with a crew installing telephone lines for what is now SaskTel in northeastern Saskatchewan.

He eventually moved into head office in Regina, where he worked for the next 37 years in a variety of jobs, including yellow page sales, mobile sales and finally as a manager in the pay phone division.

Never one to sit still, Al also joined the Reserve Navy.

As well, he formed a close circle of friends in the city, with whom he remained in close contact for most of his life.

He eventually met Elsie Cross, a young woman who had moved into Regina from Kipling, SK, and they were married in June 1958.

Two children followed, daughter Kerry and son Geoff, and the young family were kept busy with various activities and camping in the summer.

Through this busy time, Al also found time to keep his career moving forward besides being actively in the Lions club and coaching minor hockey.

He retired from SaskTel in late 1989, but he didn’t remain idle.

After a short stint working at a Regina gas bar and helping to shuttle vehicles from Regina to Saskatoon for a rental car company, he threw himself into volunteering, whether with his Telephone Pioneers service club or helping run a local community garden.

He even managed the Telephone Pioneer’s TPAC for many years, treating it as a full-time job.

Hockey fans in Regina may also remember him as a long-time goal judge for the Regina Pats hockey team.

Once daughter Kerry Schaefer and husband Bruce Dyck’s daughters, Mallory Dyck and Olivia Schaefer, arrived in 1992 and 1995, he enthusiastically took on a new role — devoted grandfather.

Trips to the park and the ice cream store will remain treasured memories.

And through it all, he also found time to keep up his full membership status in the local coffee row.

Al was a busy man who never wanted to sit still for long, but he also found time for friends and family.

His family would like to thank the staff at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Santa Maria Care Home and the Pasqua Hospital’s palliative care ward for the care he received in his final months.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep, his wife Elsie at his side.

A Memorial Service for Al will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Diabetes Canada or a charity of your choice.