Alec Hallman, 1916-2008

Alec Hallman, resident of Falher, passed away on June 24, 2008, at the McLennan hospital at the age of 92 years. Alec was born in Guernsey Saskatchewan on June 7, 1916. He moved to Alberta at a very young age with his parents Ephram and Elizabeth Hallman. Alec was the youngest of his five siblings. Alec went to school until he finished grade 4, and then started working for farmers at the age of 14. Farming became his passion, but carpentry was also in his blood, as his father was a carpenter. Alec learned many things from his father. It seems that farming and carpentry go hand in hand. Mechanical work, as well as veterinary skills were also a big part of Alec’s life. Alec married Pearl Langlois, on Dec. 30, 1936. Together they had 7 children– 3 boys and 4 girls. Together they made a living at cattle and grain farming on their farm in Culp. Alec really enjoyed what he did. To supplement the farm income, Alec would work out in winter, first for Park brothers in the saw mill, then cat skinning for Baine brothers and a couple other companies. Things changed a lot for Alec over the years, from doing all the farming with teams of horses, like cutting grain with a binder, being pulled by horses, stooking, and then throwing the bundles into a threshing machine, hauling the grain with horses and wagons to finally getting a tractor. One with steel wheels that was smooth riding. Alec had to learn to do by doing when it came to veterinary work. There were no vets to be had in the area, so what he didn’t know, he taught himself. This also went for mechanical work. Every year Alec would take his tractor motor apart and service it. He was a very happy man. In 1973, Alec and Pearl decided to move off the farm, and so bought a place in Mirror, a small town in south central Alberta. From there, Alec would travel back to Culp in spring and fall, to do the farming, along with his son Dave, until making the decision to sell the farm to Dave and retire completely. As well as farming in Culp, they also raised huge gardens in Mirror. They always had to have plenty for the children. Alec could not seem to leave the soil. That is where his passion was. In 1999 Alec and Pearl decided to move back home from Mirror to Culp to be closer to family. They rented a house in Culp for a few months and then decided to buy a place in Falher. Alec and Pearl, had a great life together, and were married for 69 wonderful years. Then it all came to a sudden halt. On October 23, 2005, the light in Alec’s eyes went out when he lost his beautiful wife Pearl. Things were never the same after that, and he felt he had nothing left to live for. That was when life became difficult. Alec was predeceased by his parents, the love of his life, Pearl, all his brothers and sisters, 3 sons: Gordon in 1977, Dave in 1990, Lawrence in 1995, grand-daughter Peggy Skrepnek in 1992, son-in-law George Romanchuk in 1992, son-in-law Pete Skrepnek in 1997, many sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Alec is survived by his four daughters Sharon (George) Skrepnek of Culp, Leah (Don) Boreen of Eaglesham, Becky (Real) Sasseville of Jean-Cote, and Debbie (Pat) Crawford of Espanola, Ontario. 20 grandchildren, 16 great grand-children, numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at the Notre Dame du Lordes Church in Girouxville on Monday, June 30th at 3:00 pm. Pastor Dave Squires officiated the service. Music was by the Emerson family of Eaglesham. Pallbearers were Nick Skrepnek, John Zahara, Don Bolster, Wayne Forester, Gertie Chmelyk, Jimaine Walgenbach, John Falabrenza. Ernie Bolster, Jim Bolster, Mike Witwicki, Bill Parker, Paul Rochon. Honourary pallbearers Honourary Pallbearers were: Brenda Ouellette, Garry Skrepnek, Eileen Skrepnek, Mark Hallman, Norman Skrepnek, Jeff Romanchuk, Kevin Boreen, Randy Skrepnek, Ryan Romanchuk, Carol Hallman, Diane Skrepnek, Richard Hallman, Penny Romanchuk, Robby Skrepnek, Tim Skrepnek. Danny Skrepnek, Chantal Sasseville, Louise Boreen, Margo Boreen, Hannah Sasseville, Megan Crawford. Reader for the funeral service was Leah Boreen with the tribute done by Louise Boreen. Eulogist was Becky Sasseville, Cremation was carried out by First Memorial Funeral Service, Edmonton, AB.