With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend Francis “Boyd” Minshull. Boyd fought a long and courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease before passing away peacefully on February 15 with his family by his side. Surviving Boyd is his wife Linda, his children Marcia Ryzner, Tania Kyle-Robinson (Tim), Emily Tainton (Bryce), Sara Taferner (Adam) and nephew Myles Kirby (Chelsey). His grandchildren Damon, Jayce (Jade) and Nate Ryzner; Lachlan and Lillian Kyle Robinson; Dalton, Daniel, David and Ava Tainton; Claire and Alice Taferner; and Sam and Daiten Kirby. Also surviving Boyd are his Aunt Joyce Minshull and a greatly loved extended family. Boyd was predeceased by his parents Bern and Bill Minshull, his younger sister Betty-Ann, sister-in-law Jean; outlaws Jim, Dale and Morris; beloved nieces Marlene and Shawna and nephew Mathew. Boyd was born November 13, 1949 to Bernice and Bill Minshull of Pierson, Manitoba. He was lovingly raised on the family farm with his older brother Barry, younger sisters Betty-Ann and Barb, and his younger brother Brad. Boyd had a happy and idyllic childhood and had many amazing memories of growing up on the farm. Much like his mother, Boyd loved being around people and spending time with his extended family and many friends. His luck hit an all-time high when at the age of 17 he met the love of his life, Linda Cairns. In fact, Boyd and his brother Barry wore out the road on the way to their new favourite place on earth, the Cairns farm in Tilston. His next blessing was to be given the priceless gift of 12 sisters-in-laws, all of whom held an important part of his heart. His brothers-in-law became some of his best friends, however, were much more likely to land him in trouble than their angelic wives were (in fact Linda is still mad about a few things). Boyd and Linda started their own farm only a mile away from his family home where Boyd farmed with his father and brother. His string of blessings continued with the births of his 4 daughters, all of whom inherited the impressive gift for gab from their Grandma Berne. Later, he was finally joined by his nephew Myles, who tried to help him hold on to what little hearing, hair and sanity he had left. It was a loud and happy home, with friends and family constantly swinging by for coffee and/or happy hour. Boyd loved his community and served terms on the Manitoba Pool Elevator Board, while also acting as a Municipal Councilman for 9 years. He was extremely hard-working and loved farming and working with his cattle, in fact it was often noted by his children that Boyd spent more time in the pasture checking cows (ie. trying to find some peace and quiet) then he did in the house. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers, cousins and friends and could often be found in an old fishing boat full of whining kids in the middle of Lake of the Prairies. Boyd also loved sports, he grew up playing hockey and baseball and watching his Dad play baseball. Later he would unapologetically take over the family tv to watch Hockey Night in Canada and Monday night Football, but also loved just as much to watch the local teams play at the Pierson rink with a rink burger in hand. He was particularly pleased when his daughter Sara became involved with a local regional ball team. She was the last child on the farm, so the “almost” empty nesters loved going to all of the practices and games and travelling the country with the ball team and their families. As Boyd started to become ill, he found particular pleasure in these evenings at the ball diamond and firmly believed the Olympic fastball team could be made up solely with the young women from Pierson. As his own children grew up and started families of their own, Boyd found incredible joy in being surrounded by a pack of unruly grandchildren. He loved having them on the farm, with many of the grandkids having particularly fond memories of chasing cows in the old red truck. He and Linda could be found at numerous hockey rinks in Alberta and Manitoba on most weekends, cheering on their grandchildren, as the family hockey tradition continued. In fact, even when Boyd was too ill to speak any longer, seeing his grandchildren was the one thing guaranteed to always bring a big smile to his face. Boyd also had a passion for travelling and encouraged his children to experience as much of the world as they could. He felt very blessed to have visited Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Yukon and Hawaii with his wife and friends. Unfortunately, with the onset of HD he was forced to retire from his life’s true calling as a farmer, but nevertheless maintained his extremely positive outlook on life. In 2013, the family farm was sold and he and Linda moved to Okotoks AB to be closer to his favourite daughter (and some other people that lived there too). Boyd maintained his love of life and positive attitude until the day of his passing and was widely regarded and loved by all who knew him. Although we will miss him, we feel blessed to have had him for so long. And we are infinitely comforted to know he is in a better place, no doubt having a game of cards with his mom or playing a game of ball with his Dad. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful doctors, nurses and health care aides who helped take care of Boyd over the course of his illness. A special thank-you to the Doctors at the Movement Disorder Clinic in Calgary, the Calgary chapter of the Huntington’s Society of Canada, and all of the amazing people at the AgeCare Mindapore Nursing Home who so lovingly looked after Boyd in his final years. For anyone who wishes, in lieu of flowers please donate to the Huntington’s Society of Canada, a cause very near to Boyd’s heart.