"...Well, I have finally slipped to the other side of the grass."

It is with great sorrow that the family of BASIL WOODARD announce his death on the evening of August 3^rd. He passed away peacefully and surrounded by family members at St. Michael's Palliative Care.

He was born Christmas day 1927 to Vincent and Clara and took great pleasure in saying that his birthday was for just for "...me and Jesus...". His early childhood took place on a prairie homestead farm during the Great Depression and WWII. The hardships an d difficult times of that era were responsible for establishing the predominant aspects of his character. He was raised to have a strong work ethic and a commitment to family, all founded on a faith in God. Honesty, commitment, devotion and a close relationship with his siblings and cousins introduced in a wee bit o' mischievousness. Those who knew him would all agree he had a passion for life. He had a desire to smile, share a "horn" and never tire of telling jokes, using colourful metaphors and stories.

In 1957 he married Roberta, and they began to build their lives and a family of three daughters and one son. Throughout his life he worked tirelessly to provide for his family with strength, dedication and perseverance. The family left their home in Weyburn and moved to Swift Current. There, Basil worked as a Surveyor and Assistant Engineer with the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan for 34 years. In 1984 he moved to Lethbridge to manage the new Torchinsky Engineering Ltd. Office.

They immediately began to plant roots and help establish St. Martha's church on the west side and involved themselves in community work and volunteering. He was very active with the Knights of Columbus and offered more than a few of his evenings and weekends to their bingo fund-raising and up-keep of Camp Columbus in Waterton. Basil often recognized a need where others required help and would step up to the task. For many years he would help those at St. Michael's Health Centre travel to and from their appointments.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Roberta, his children Carla Shaw, Colleen (Justin) Poff, Janice (Hugh) Tafel and Tim Woodard. His legacy also includes his grandchildren and their families; James & Erin Gerrie and their two children Ava and Ethan, Mark Gerrie, Garwin and Rebecca Poff and their two children Kyus and Katie, Amanda and Chad Gergely, Lindsay and Jeff Ransom, Samantha Poff, Tristan Tafel and Sophia Tafel. He is also survived by his brothers; Dennis (Laurette) Woodard and Lawrence (Margie) Woodard, his sisters Doris (Jack) Cullen, Margret Hennan and sister-in-law Shirley Woodard. Basil is predeceased by his brother George (Jess) Woodard and his sisters Rita and Liane.

A Prayer Service will be held at ST. MARTHA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB. on Sunday, August 7^th, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Michael Pollard officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, on Monday, August 8^th, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Father's Dennis McDonald and James Hagel con-celebrating.

Basil's family would like to extend a thank you and blessings to the staff at Chinook Regional Hospital, the team at the Alberta Renal Program unit as well as the staff at St. Therese Villa. A very special thank you goes to the staff at St. Michael's Health Centre - Palliative Care Unit for their exceptional level of care. We would also like to encourage all who have ever considered organ donation to please consider and discuss this with family members and register your intent online at the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry [https://myhealth.alberta.ca/pages/OTDRHome.aspx]