CECIL ROY BLACKBURN August 21, 1948 - January 3, 2021 With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Cecil R. Blackburn who passed away at his farm in the Utopia District. He was 72 years old. Cecil was born to Dorothy and Cecil Blackburn on August 21, 1948 at the Pincher Creek Hospital. The Blackburn family recognizes that Cecil was the last male descendent of the “Blackburn” name. Cecil graduated from Matthew Halton and went on to the U of A where he achieved his Masters for Physical Education, fulfilling his dream of playing basketball for the Golden Bears. He worked at the Drumheller Penitentiary, oil rigs and seismic, before settling down on the family farm buying in to the cattle he loved. He has become a part of the intricate fabric of the community, especially with the Butcher Creek Cattle Co., the Fishburn United Church, and the Lethbridge Toastmasters. Helping his neighbors was second nature for him. He will be sorely missed by his family and his many friends. He is survived by his sisters: Sandra (Stuart) Kastelic of Sangudo, AB; Verna (Dennis) Shewchuk of Calgary, AB; his nieces and nephews: Kathryn (Kevin) Miller and son Ethan; Joseph (Laura) Kastelic and daughters Taylor and Morgan; Stephen (Amy) Kastelic and children: Dylan, Colby and Sienna; Derek (Jennifer) Shewchuk and Kristen Shewchuk and many extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents: Cecil LeRoy Blackburn and Dorothy Marie (Golling) Blackburn. A Visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, at 6:00 pm at Snodgrass Funeral Home. Please call Snodgrass Funeral Home (403) 627-4864 for a visitation time due to covid restrictions. A private interment at Fishburn United Church will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021, with Rev. Judith Walker officiating, followed by the interment. There will be a memorial celebration of Cecil’s life at a later date, once restrictions have lifted. THANK-YOU -To all of those who came and paid their respects to our brother Cecil Roy Blackburn, with some of you playing the part of an honour guard at Fishburn United Church during his funeral: -Snodgrass Funeral Homes -Rev. Judith Walker -Pallbearers at the Funeral Home: Curtis Turnbull, Quentin Stevick, Dallis McGlynn, Buzz Mitchell, Casey Toews & Regan Toews -Pallbearers at the Church: Curtis Turnbull, Nanette Turnbull, Stuart Kastelic/Kathryn Kastelic, Stephen Kastelic, Dennis Shewchuk & Derek Shewchuk -Honour Guard of approximately 38 vehicles of people on the roads by the Church. -People who came out for the visitation on Friday night at the funeral home. -Those who sent/gave flowers, cards, goodies, e-mails, phone calls and texts. -Those who have shared memories of Cecil Roy on the Snodgrass Funeral Home website. -Those who prepared the Church, grounds and gravesite. -Everyone for their heartfelt wishes and prayers. Sent From: Sandra Kastelic & Family and Verna Shewchuk & Family Also please know that memorial contributions may be sent to the Heart & Stroke foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca/donate) or to the Fishburn United Church (Box 2732, Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0) or to the Pincher Creek United Church (Box 667, Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0). Snodgrass Funeral Homes assisting the Blackburn family with funeral arrangements, (403) 627-4864.