BENEDICT
The Benedict family sadly announces the loss of their founder, coach, and star pitcher, Harold Alexander Benedict, on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
Alex was born July 11, 1939, in Innisfail, to Harold and Winnie Benedict. Alex and his sister, Edith, grew up on the family farm just north of Wimborne, and Alex continued to live and work on the farm until his passing. Alex loved all aspects of farm life. He enjoyed driving his tractor, checking the cows, shooting gophers, picking saskatoons, and trying to tame new kittens.
Alex spent a lifetime playing and watching sports. He especially loved baseball, fastball, hockey, and curling, and he had a trophy case that was filled from the numerous tournaments and bonspiels he participated in. In recent years, he watched baseball or curling every night on TV, and had Red Deer Rebel season's tickets for over 20 years.
Alex's parents were always active in the community, and Alex followed in their footsteps. He was a member and executive in numerous clubs, including the Wimborne Fish and Game Association, the Wimborne Curling Club, the Torrington Curling Club, Trochu Minor Hockey, and the Wimborne Hall Board where he had continued on as president for over 40 years. He also belonged to the Torrington Volunteer Fire Department, worked on the Wimborne history book committee, and helped organize numerous community events such as Wimborne Days. Alex was a true handyman, and he spent countless hours ensuring that the Wimborne Community Centre remained a functional part of the community.
Alex established a family team in 1964 when he married Sharon Cochrane. They soon had an active "farm-team" consisting of three children: Bonnie (Donnie) Lynn of Stettler, Derek (Lois) of Wimborne, and Brad (Marie) of Calgary. Some of his greatest memories involved his many years of coaching and cheering on his kids in sports and other activities.
Alex and Sharon loved baseball, and over the years they acquired a complete roster for their own team when they were blessed with nine grandchildren: Bryce, Kelsey; Fallon (Jesse), Katlyn, Jacquelyn, Erin; Liam, Orla, and Maeve. Alex loved to spend time with his grandchildren, and he and Sharon spent hours driving to watch them in sports, 4-H, and the fine arts.
Most recently, four special great-grandchildren were added: Avery, Hudson, Noelle, and Olivia; which meant he now had the possibility of his own mixed curling team.
Alex loved his family, friends, sports, the farm, and his community, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 3 PM, in the Wimborne Community Centre. In keeping with Alex's community spirit, any desired memorial donations may be made to the Wimborne Community Centre.