Thomas (Tommy) William Knowles

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Thomas (Tommy) William Knowles on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at the age of 77 years. Lovingly remembered by his wife, of forty-one years, Frances Muriel (Furlong) Knowles. His memory will be cherished by his children, Shawna (Cory) Hayter, Jennifer (Peter) Bruinsma, Thomas (Shawna) Knowles. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Stephen Hayter, expected new Hayter baby; Tyson Bruinsma, Shaun Bruinsma, Morgan Bruinsma; Thomas Knowles and Emma Knowles. Tom will be remembered by his brother, Richard Fletcher of Kelowna, B.C.; his sister, Regina Knowles of Edmonton, AB and sister Dorothy Blake of Peace River, AB. He is also remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins too numerous to mention here. Tom had made many good friends over the years, and he will be missed by all of them. Tom was born to Thomas Bartle Hart Knowles and Deborah Lenora Stephens of Irma, Alberta, at Wainwright, AB, on November 29th, 1936. When he was two years old, the family, Richard, Regina and Dorothy, and Tom moved to Uncas, Alberta. There, on Section 10-52-21W4 they settled to raise their family on the farm. They raised Black Angus cattle, and as all family farms did, shipped cream and raised turkeys, to help make a living. Tom lost his mother, who passed away in 1942, so was raised by his father, sisters, and brother. He attended Uncas school until Grade eight, then helped look after the farm, taking over the cattle farm when his father passed away in 1969. Tom met Muriel at the North Cooking Lake Store, and on August 25th, 1973 were married. They welcomed their first daughter, Shawna in 1974, second daughter, Jennifer, in 1978, and their son, Thomas in 1981. Together, Tom and Muriel managed the cow/calf operation. Although there wasn’t much time for vacations, Tom did manage to visit friends in southern Alberta and made a trip with another friend to Saskatchewan. He always made sure that the cattle came first. He was always out first thing (or in the middle of the night) to check on them during calving, or in the winter time making sure the tank heaters in the water troughs were burning and tractors were ready for feeding. He loved having his geese and pet cats follow him around the farm yard as he did his chores. Tom always took the time for a visit with a few cups of tea with friends. He met a lot of people through the years and always enjoyed sparing and joking with them. In 2000 Tom was diagnosed with COPD, and as the disease took over, he found he just couldn’t look after is beloved cattle anymore. Sadly, he had to sell his stock, fortunately just before the drought of 2001. He had to make a decision, and sold the section. He started a new chapter in 2003, moving to MacKay, Alberta, where he was able to enjoy his quarter section until 2009, when he had to be moved closer to medical help. Tom lived in Sherwood Park until July, 2012, when he moved to his last residence, at Miller Crossing Centre. A visitation will be held at the Serenity Funeral Service, 5311 – 91 Street, Edmonton, AB T6E 6E2 on April 11, 2014, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm April 12, 2014, an informal Burial Service will be held at the Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Range Road 232, Sherwood Park at 11:30 a.m. Family and friends are welcome to come for refreshments and remember the good times with Tom at the Deville North Cooking Lake Hall, located on the Wye Road, just before Range Road 210; from 1:00pm to 5:00 pm. The family would like to extend their thanks to the Miller Crossing Care Centre for their compassion and care over the past year and a half. A very special thank you Nurse Grace who looked after him the day of his passing, her gentle care and her compassion means a lot to the family.

Thomas (Tommy) William Knowles

November 29, 1936 - April 6, 2014