It is with love and heartache that we announce the passing of Dad, Paul Schick, also known as Grandpa and Great-Grandpa, of Melfort, Saskatchewan, on February 4, 2024. He left us peacefully with his family by his side in St. Paul’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit, Saskatoon, SK.

Paul George Schick was born on March 26, 1931, on the family farm near Lemberg, Saskatchewan. Paul was the oldest of six children born to John and Annie (Baber) Schick. He grew up on the family farm and attended Garden School.

Paul always had a love for horses, specifically, Clydesdale draft horses. Paul developed impressive skills of handling these gentle giants at a young age. Grandpa shared that when he was younger, he would have to harness the family horses to drive himself and his siblings to school. Grandpa was so small he had to stand on a bucket just to get the collars off the barn wall. He would also help his dad out in the fields. Paul would assist in ploughing the fields, managing four draft horses as they worked the ground or sowed the seed.

Paul and Elaine Maurer of Neudorf began dating in 1952. They were married on May 4, 1953 and spent 68 wonderful years together until Elaine’s passing in 2021. Paul and Elaine moved to the Resource district three days after being wed to a homestead they had purchased. They farmed together for 55 years, growing a variety of crops, raising animals, growing a garden, and raising their family of three children, Imogene, Carmen and Kevin.

Paul exhibited Angus cattle and Clydesdale horses at Melfort and other local community Exhibitions over the years earning many winning ribbons for his animals and showmanship. Paul engaged Elaine’s talents to assist in the preparation of the cattle and horses for show in the exhibition ring. Paul joined the Melfort Ag Society shortly after arriving in Melfort and has since been honoured with a lifetime membership in 2014 in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the community and to agriculture as a member and officer of the Society. He was thrilled to be asked to ride in the Melfort Parade representing the Exhibition and shared this experience with his grandchildren many times. In addition, Paul was an active committee member at Resource for the Sask Wheat Pool.

Paul always enjoyed passing down knowledge and sharing his skills. He taught his children many skills that were required of farm kids whether that was driving the horses, tending to the animals, driving farm equipment, and maintaining them. These skills taught his children resiliency, determination, and to take pride in your work and life. These are all characteristics that were very evident in everything that Paul did.

Prior to retiring and leaving the farm, Paul made the decision to sell his beloved Clydesdales. For many years, Paul and Mark Hodgson offered wagon and sleigh rides that allowed Dad’s love and skills for showing Clydesdales to continue and to be passed on.

In May 2008, Paul and Elaine left the farm and retired to Melfort. They resided together in Consolation Manor until 2019, when Elaine moved to Parkland Place in Melfort. Paul continued to live in their home until November 2023, when he was moved into a nursing home in Tisdale. Paul always enjoyed visits with friends and family, no matter where he was.

Paul was predeceased by his wife Elaine; his parents John & Annie Schick; sisters-in-law Alma Maurer, Irene Baker-Maurer & Charlene Schick; brothers Kenneth and Calvin Schick; his in-laws Jacob & Martha Maurer; brothers-in-law Peter, Ernie, Norman & Gordon Maurer, Ferdinand Hollinger; son-in-law Mel Annand; and grandson, Rowland LeBarre.

Paul is lovingly remembered by his children: Imogene, and her family: Jacqueline Denis (Gilles); Calvin LeBarre; daughter-in-law Roxanne Elkew (Mike Swan); Carmen & his partner Barb Smith; Kevin & his wife Debbie and their family: Rikki (Charlie Atkin); Logan (Brittany Yeager) & Jacey; Kevin’s daughter, Janet Squires; great-grandchildren: Twyla (Zachary Chabot), Reagan, McKenzie & Ashley Squires; and great-great grandson, Eli Chabot; great-grandchildren: Madelaine, Eva & Blaize Denis; Korabella LeBarre & Josh Swan. Paul is also remembered by sisters, Marilyn Maurer & Verena Hollinger; brother, Elwood Schick; and sisters-in-law, Helen Schick and Ursula Maurer, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

We will miss Paul’s wit, his wisdom and his smile. We will dearly miss his stories, his advice, and most of all, the checker games we had with him.

Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Melfort Agricultural Society, or to the North Central Health Care Foundation (COPS - Community Oncology Program of Saskatchewan).