Elgin DRAYSON

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DRAYSON: Peacefully, with his family by his side, Elgin Gordon Drayson passed away, Saturday, June 29, 2019 in Neepawa Health Centre, at the age of 91. Born April 26, 1928, Elgin was the youngest son of Charlie and Gladys (Hockin) Drayson. Elgin leaves to mourn his wife Susan, daughter Shauna Drayson-Kunkel (Russell), grandchildren Scott, Briony, Kalin and Sydney, brother Mervin and sister Jean Ernest, numerous nieces and nephews, friends and neighbours. He was predeceased by his parents, sons Christopher Elgin, Richard and Marty, brother Gerald, sisters-in-law Helen and Marj, and brother-in-law Arn Ernest. Family and farming were an important part of Elgin’s life beginning with his bonds at home; escapades with cousins and support for his children and grandchildren. He carried that forward into his life with the joy of “visiting”, particularly with people who were lonely, and the “coffee crowd”. Elgin loved people and their stories. He served his community in many ways through East View Lodge, Farm Business Groups, Gordon United Church, etc. Despite an early polio handicap he loved sports whether it was hockey, baseball or curling, later taking up golf and sailing. On August 4, 1953, he married Susan and began the task of introducing her to “farm life,” a formidable task with many laughs! Changing a baseball cap to a mining helmet they moved to Windsor, Ontario in 1957, returning to the farm in 1960. A close partnership with his brother Merv began in 1962 and continued until Merv retired.  Then the partnership changed to farming with nephews Ray, Terry and Darren.  Retiring to Neepawa in 1997, he continued “fixing” things (even over the phone and internet) and raising giant tomatoes! Duck tape, pliers, screw drivers, gorilla glue and scissors were always by his side! Not far away were the peanut butter squares and sweet and sour sauce! Donations in memory of Elgin can be made to the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation, charity of your choice or doing an act of kindness for someone in need. A Celebration of Life was held in the Neepawa United Church on July 12.“He will live on in each of us, and be as missed as he was loved”

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 10, 2019