Obituary of Ogden Alfred Sweet

Ogden Sweet passed away peacefully at the Colonel Belcher Care Center on Sunday March 13, 2005 at the grand old age of 90. Ogden was born in Saskatoon on September 18, 1914. As a young child his family moved to a homestead in Aylsham , Saskatchewan. He married Bertha Proctor in 1941, soon after enlisting in the army. Due to arthritis he was given an honourable discharge, however he continued to contribute to the war effort working as a machinist in Hamilton. After the war Ogden, Bertha, and daughter, Barb, returned to Northern Saskatchewan where he farmed, logged and did carpentry work. In 1952 the family moved to Saskatoon, and Ogden obtained employment in the construction industry, eventually becoming a foreman. In 1955 his daughter Deborah was born. Ogden’s arthritis continued to worsen resulting in his confinement to a wheelchair. Ogden and Bertha enjoyed thirty years of marriage until her premature death in 1971. A few years later Ogden married Kathy Heath who, with daughter Dorothy, marked a new chapter in his life. Despite his disability Ogden remained active, working with metal and wood, creating many devices to make his life easier. Kathy’s death in 1992 made Ogden a widower again. In 1999 Ogden moved to Calgary, and as his health deteriorated he became a resident of the Colonel Belcher. Ogden will be missed for his quick wit, sense of humor, generosity, creativity in the workshop, mechanical ingenuity, tenacity, and love of learning. What will the Blue Jays do without their number one fan? He is survived by, daughters Barb Smith, Deb Saunders (Howard) and Dorothy Caswell (Jack) of Calgary; granddaughters Corrina McClement (Glenn), Cicely Brown (Robert), Elizabeth Caswell of Calgary; grandsons Jordan King (Mandy) of Syracuse, NY and Jack Caswell of Calgary; great-grandsons Cameron and Daniel McClement of Calgary, Keegan Baker-King and Carter King of Syracuse, NY; great-granddaughters Samantha and Rebecca Brown of Calgary; sisters Alice Haanen of California, Alma Ostlund (Ted) of Aylsham, Helen Barros of Nipawin, Frances Mazurek (Eugene) of Carrot River, Dorothy Crawford (Al) of Sorrento, and Lucy Remai of Saskatoon; brothers Jack (Anne) and Herb (Marie) of Calgary; and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Marjorie Keyes, wives Bertha Proctor and Kathy Heath, and brother Roy. The family extends a special thanks to the caring staff at the Colonel Belcher Care Centre. Throughout his life Ogden fought a courageous battle against arthritis and he has requested that in-lieu of flowers donations be made in his memory to the Canadian Arthritis Association, Suite 200, 1301 8 St. SW, Calgary T2R 1B7. Ogden’s Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:30 AM at McINNIS and HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. In living memory of Ogden Sweet, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E., CALGARY. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.