It is with sadness the family of Alastair John Stables announce his passing on September 19, 2020 at the Royal University Hospital at the age of 90 years.
Alastair was born August 30, 1930 in Elgin, County of Moray, Scotland to Francis and Mary (née Geddes) Stables. His schooling was at the primary school in Kinlochlaggan. It was a long way for little legs to walk, at least two miles. He then went on to grammar school in Newtownmore where he cycled from home on Sunday and stayed in lodgings during the week and cycled home after school on Friday - it was a hard road in the winter. Alastair’s parents were living on the Ardverikie Estate near Kinlochlaggan with his brother Frank and two sisters Babs and Sis. Ardverikie Estate was made famous as the fictional Glenbogle Estate in the BBC series “Monarch of the Glen”. When he was 16 years old, he had to leave school where he had done well and could have gone on to further education to go and work on the estate. His father had severe rheumatoid arthritis and if he had not gone to work there, the family would have to move away from the “tied” house. Farming was hard work. No tractor cabs or heating, picking potatoes and turnips by hand and caring for the cattle and sheep. After his father died in 1963, Alastair and his mother moved into Blairgowrie where he worked as a mechanic. In 1968, he came to Canada on a holiday to visit his uncle Robert Stables who had a farm near McGee and helped with the harvest. In 1969, Robert’s wife Barbara died and Robert asked Alastair if he was interested in returning to the farm, which he eventually inherited.
Alastair met and married Christine Artis in Scotland on June 6, 1970 and shortly after, they were expecting their first child. Alastair returned to Canada with his new wife on March 17, 1971 and Rob was born in June 1971. In July 1972, daughter Heather was born and their family was completed with Iain in 1977. In June 2020, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and on August 30, 2020, Alastair celebrated his 90th birthday.
Alastair enjoyed Aberdeen Angus cattle, all things Scottish, some traveling which included trips to Scotland, British Columbia, Alberta, the Maritimes, Alaska, trips down the west and east coast of the USA and some parts of central USA. He was a hard worker, always able to find something to keep him busy, stubborn and canny with money. His proudest accomplishments were his children and grandchildren who meant the world to him. He was also a master mason, royal arch mason of the Masonic Lodge, St. John 137 in Scotland.
Alastair is survived by his wife Christine, children Robert (Candy), Heather (Vern) and Iain (Jamie), grandchildren Jyllian, Carter and Connor, nieces Diana and Elizabeth and cousins Kay (Bob) White and family, Ken (Val) Sinclair and family and David (Wendy) Stables. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Frank (Jean) and sisters Elizabeth (Bob) and Barbara (Eugene).
A private family service was held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Allan Gairns officiating. Committal of cremated remains took place at the Rosetown Columbarium,
Donations in memory of Alastair may be made to the Rosetown & District Health Centre Foundation Inc. P.O. Box 653, Rosetown, SK, S0L 2V0 or to STARS, Hangar 21, 2475 Airport Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 1M4.