John Furman, age 64 years, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at the Pasqua Hospital, Regina, SK. John was born on May 3, 1945 in Edmonton, AB, to Fran & Carl Furman, of Meeting Creek, AB ( a close knit farming community in Central Alberta). He was in the middle of the family with an older brother, Bob, and a younger sister, Verna. He also lived near grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He finished his high school in Meeting Creek and at the age of 18, went to Edmonton and began training and working at the University Hospital as a Nursing Orderly. There he stood out with his ability, skill and professional attitude. John met Carol, while they were working an evening shift together, and there was never anyone else after that. They were married on December 10, 1966, and soon moved to their first house in St. Albert. Their most precious gifts were their children, Cory born in 1970 and Amy born in 1973. John began a new career in plumbing and was a service manager with 2 companies in Edmonton. He hoped to have something more of his own to run and moved to Brooks, where he managed a Shell Bulk Fuel Plant and started an oilfield company on the side. After a few years, he was offered management of an American Trucking Company in Calgary that seemed interesting enough to make the move. Their home was made at High River, another beautiful place with new friends again. He worked for a time with the trucking company and then became a service rep for Eaton Corporation (Eaton axles & transmissions) and had Western Canada and the NWT for his service territory. The work was exciting but the constant travel was difficult. Their last great move was made in 1983 (when the last boom went bust in Alberta). They bought the Gulf Bulk Fuel Plant in Swift Current. John wanted to try living in the country and found an acreage near Rush Lake with “great potential”. Everyone moved in June, when school was done. He fulfilled that “great potential” by redesigning the one room schoolhouse into a cozy home and then work on the yard. After many years of work, it became our own little “heaven on earth”. Through the years in Swift Current, John built up the Gulf Bulk Fuel Plant into a thriving business, with the help of great staff. When Gulf was bought out by Petro Canada, he managed that company for a time. After selling out, his entrepreneurial spirit was prodding him to something new. He began a Wholesale Veterinary Supply Company which branched out into a Biotech Company with more new ideas, products and people to work with. This also brought some International travel into their lives. After several years, the Vet Supply Co. was sold into Ontario. It was now time to start working on something he had been dreaming of for awhile, but needed to wait until computer technology had advanced, and Con Fleet was begun. This company was especially for small trucking companies to enable them to buy fuel and other products at wholesale prices.

The past years have been filled with growing family. Amy’s marriage to Darrel and the addition of their girls, Tayshia, Victoria and Dawnella and Cory’s marriage to Tammy and the addition of their little Clark. With many good times and grandchildren, who were the sunshine of his life, there has always been much to be thankful for. We are so grateful for the family, friends, neighbors, medical staff co-workers and even the kindness of strangers who supported us through John’s illness. The hugs, caring, prayers and food strengthened and held us. Except for the one hard thing - all was good and love. And our hope is as ‘Nella’ said, “It’s okay - Papa’s home now and he’s healed!”

We seem to give him back to Thee, dear God,

Who gavest him to us.

And as Thou didst not loose him in giving,

So we have not lost him in his return.

For what is death, but a horizon,

And what is an horizon, save the limit of our sight.

The Graveside Funeral Service was held on Friday, November 27, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Rush Lake Cemetery, Rush Lake, SK with Dennis Laing officiating. The piper for the service was Neil McCrie piping, “Amazing Grace” for the processional and “The Skye Boat Song” for the recessional. “The Rose” and “Rose of My Heart” were the special songs on CD for the service. Psalm 23 was read by Darrel Rude with Cory Furman sharing the eulogy. “The Old Irish Blessing” was read by Amy Rude. The Interment was held at the Rush Lake Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Eric Haug, Bernie Haug, Gary Haug, Dana Perry, Stuart Wall and Dan Gates. In memory of John Furman, donations made to the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic, 4101 Dewdney Ave., Regina, Sask. S4T 7T1 would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.