Alvin James Westberg

It is with great sadness that the family of Alvin (AJ) Westberg announce his passing Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Lakeside Manor Care Home; he was 90 years of age.

Alvin was born in Whitewood, SK June 6, 1930 to Henry and Myra Westberg on the family farm. Alvin married Helen Hintz on July 10, 1953.  They settled on the Westberg family farm at Whitewood, Sk.  Within a year Alvin became employed in the potash industry and drilling became his passion; this opportunity saw them move around Saskatchewan to various communities often setting up their mobile home in farmers fields near the rig sites.   From 1966 to 1967 the family spent a year living in the USA while Al was training in solution mining.  In 1967 upon their return to Canada Alvin and Helen settled into Saltcoats, SK. where Al took up the plumbing trade with Elmer Dickson and the company D & W Plumbing and Heating was started. 

Al purchased a lakefront lot and proceeded to build his family their forever home!  Al was so proud of the house he had built, and this is where he and Helen would raise their four children Carol, Bev, Dean and Leslie.  Al quickly became engrossed in the community and served on many boards including the rink board, minor sports and many years spent serving on the Town Council.

Summers were some of the best times at the Westberg hacienda; friends would arrive with their boats, skis and families.  Weekend after weekend was spent on Saltcoats lake boating, swimming and water skiing.  If there were getaways it would include a trip up North to Rocky lake to do a little fishing.  The fish were usually pretty safe when Al dropped his line, so he preferred to just drive the boat!

Al, like Helen had a love of sports and would move heaven and earth for his children to be able to participate in whichever sport they chose and with that countless hours were spent on the highway travelling across the province and beyond.  Al was extremely proud of his children in each and every endeavor they chose whether it be sports or something else.  That pride then continued on with his grandchildren.  Whenever there was a newspaper article highlighting any accomplishment of his kids, their spouses or grandchildren, he promptly made a trip to the Town Office to get photocopies made that he could hand out to anyone that walked into the house.

Al’s favorite sport was hockey and he coached for many years.  Al was highly respected as a coach both by his players and peers.  He had a positive influence on the players that he coached.  He taught the importance of teamwork, the importance of working hard and how to look out for each other.  Although Al coached many championship teams through the years and many players, he was most proud of his Provincial Championship Team named “The Dirty Dozen”!  ‘The Dirty Dozen each had a special bond with Al that continued well beyond the days of the team.  Many of the players kept in touch with Al and Helen and made a point of stopping in for a visit whenever they were back in Saltcoats. 

When Al retired from plumbing, he spent many years mentoring Dean and Gerry and kept his hand in the business by doing the books and doing the sheet metal tin work for the boys.

In his late years and as Helen’s health declined his cat Molly became his companion and brought him much joy (none of us had the same happy experience with Molly as she really only liked Al and Helen).

Alvin is survived by his daughter Bev (Randy Torrie), son Dean (Shelley); daughter Leslie  (Gerry Adam).  Grandchildren Craig, Lee, Shona, Carly, Avery, Hannah and Justin. His great grandchildren Wyatt, Zaiden, Reid, Jager, Oakley, Cruz, Seija, Bronte and Kai as well as many nieces and nephews.

Alvin was predeceased his loving wife Helen and his eldest daughter Carol, his parents Henry and Myra Westberg , one brother Richard, sisters Marguerite Scott & Doris Bowman and their spouses.

We will miss you Dad!  We will miss your pranks and jokes, the buttered noses on birthdays, our names written on everything in black felt pen and your never ending supply of peppermints.  Most of all we will miss your advice, your helping hand and your love.

We would like to thank all the staff at the Lakeside Manor Care home for their love, kindness and care for Al.  Donations in Al’s memory can be made to the Lakeside Manor Care Home.

For more information or the leave a condolence for the family please visit wwwChristiesFuneralHome.com.  A private family service and interment will take place on March 10,2021 at 2:00 from the chapel of Christie's Funeral Home and Crematorium. 

Due to Covid 19 restrictions Alvin's service will be live streamed starting at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday March 10, 2021

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