Alan Balfour

Alan Balfour age 62 years of Climax, Saskatchewan passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. He was born at Climax on September 22, 1957. He was the second child born to Chris and Bob Balfour. Alan spent his early years on the family farm 14 miles south of Climax. When Alan was in Grade 5, Bob and Chris decided to move to Swift Current so the kids could go to school in the city; while they spent weekends and summers at the farm. Alan graduated from Swift Current Comprehensive High School in 1975 and enrolled in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. Alan enjoyed everything about being an Agro- from the classes to the parties to the pranks. He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1979 and married Gail Swarbrick of Frontier on July 7, 1979. They moved back to Saskatoon where Gail completed her Education degree and Alan worked in construction during the winter and in the summer farmed with his Dad and his brother Bart. In September 1980, Gail got her first teaching position in Leader, SK. While Gail taught, Alan spent his time building the family cabin at Lac Pelletier with his dad. The next year, they moved back to Climax to farm while Gail took a temporary teaching position in Frontier. In 1982, Gail and Alan welcomed their daughter, Kirstin followed by their two sons, Nathan in 1985, and then Jayden in 1988. Alan was a devoted father. He spent hours coaching the boys’ hockey, driving the kids to sports and music, and boat rides at the cabin. Some of his proudest moments were when he welcomed in his son-in-law (Chris in 2007) and daughters-in-law (Cheryl in 2016 and Shantel in 2020) into the Balfour family. In 2012, they welcomed their first grandchildren, Kaitlin and Caleb, followed by Chloe in 2017 and Lucas in 2019. Alan and Gail spent countless hours driving back and forth to Edmonton and Calgary spoiling their grandkids. Alan enjoyed playing mini-sticks, watching figure skating and choir concerts, giving tractor rides, playing dolls, trips to Cabelas and spending time at the cabin with each of them. Alan was a community man. He spent many hours volunteering his time at the hockey rink, curling club, Climax United Church, and swimming pool; and served as a Wheat Pool delegate for the southwest from 1985 to 2001. He loved to travel, his Agro Reunions, curling, golf, and poker. He was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, hard worker and faithful friend. He was predeceased by his parents Bob and Chris Balfour. Alan is survived by his wife Gail; daughter Kirstin Safinuk (Chris) of Edmonton, Alberta and grandchildren Kaitlin, Caleb and Chloe; son Nathan (Cheryl) of Calgary, Alberta and grandson Lucas; son Jayden (Shantel Hill) of Climax; step-mother Verna Balfour of Swift Current; sister Linda Vigueras (Claudio) of Swift Current, Saskatchewan; brother Bart (Michelle) of Swift Current; mother and father-in-law June and Earl Swarbrick of Frontier, Saskatchewan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bruce Swarbrick (Caryl) of Frontier; Karen Martin (Donald) of Minton, Saskatchewan; Doug Swarbrick (Cathy) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Gord Swarbrick (Sue) of Brandon, Manitoba; and Chris Swarbrick (Michele) of Hudson, Wisconsin as well as by many nieces and nephews. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, an invitation only service was held on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. with a public Facebook livestream with Connie Sykes officiating. Binkley’s Funeral Service of Shaunavon (www.Binkleys.com) was in charge of the arrangements.