JACK BASTIEN (SPY-II-KWAN) NOVEMBER 19, 1923 TO SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
Spy-ii-kwan - Jack Bastien was called home by the Creator at the age of 86 on Thursday, September 2, 2010.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Jenny in 1995, his son, Marshall in 2010 and a baby daughter, Byrdie in 1963. He was also predeceased by his father Oniseam Bastien, his mother Lucy Lost, an uncle and aunt that raised him; Johnny and Julia Bastien, his brother Walter Bastien and his sister Bernadette Grier.
He is survived by his sons; Dennis, Harley (Betty), Adrian (Darlene) and Mario (Charlotte); his daughters Rhonda, Maxine (Ron), Virginia, Janet, Lynette, Lana and Mary, his sister in laws, Dorothy Provost and Patricia Provost. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Jack was the last of his generation of Bastien’s and will missed most by his grandchildren whom lived and cared for him at various times in his later years; Micheal, Trevor, Tim, Natoshia and Carly.
Jack was born on November 19, 1923 on the Piikani Nation and was an icon of his time. As a child, Jack lost his parents and some of his siblings to a train crash in Brocket. By Creator’s will he was the only survivor and the elders of the Piikani Nation told Jack that he cheated death and therefore would live a long life. Jack grew up in what he called the horse and buggy days. He survived the great depression of the 30’s and went on to fight with the Canadian Army in WWII becoming a decorated soldier. When Jack returned home from war, he became a successful rancher, farming by hand hundreds of acres on the Piikani Nation. He also went to become a champion bareback rider and most of the cowboys today still have stories of Jack whether at round-up, at a rodeo or teaching them how to ride.
Jack was a private man that believed in independence, discipline and hard work, after all he was a soldier. He was not afraid to tell you what was on his mind but will be remembered most by his generosity. He always gave and gave and gave. Jack would say that he pitied people and giving was his religion. He also loved to sing and will be remembered for his signature song “T for Texas”.
In his later years, Jack loved to walk for exercise, shop for groceries, watch wrestling, go to the Legion, tell stories and visit when friends and family would drop by to see him. Jack took care of himself up to age of 85 when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Prior to that Jack was healthy and vibrant; he credited his good health to his daily bacon and eggs breakfast and other natural healing remedies that he called “his medicine”.
He will be sadly missed but most never forgotten by those that knew him.
A Wake Service will be held at the Harley Bastien residence, C.Y. RANCH, Brocket, AB., on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 starting at 4:00 P.M.
A Funeral Service will be held at the PIIKANI RESERVE COMMUNITY HALL on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Valdivia officiating.
Interment to follow at Old Sacred Heart Cemetery, Brocket, AB.
Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca
