Sponsorship
This memorial website was sponsored by Krista Kitson. It will now remain online forever.
Latest Images
Latest Candles
Share this site
To share this site with friends and family via email, enter their email addresses in the boxes below and click "send". You do not have to fill all the boxes.
This site has been visited 3279 times.Personal Background
This memorial website was created by friends of Erin Mowat in loving memory of Sandy Mowat.
Sandy was born on 08.11.1950 and sadly passed away on 18.08.2009 at the age of 58.
Sandy is missed greatly by family and friends and will be remembered forever.
-----
From the funeral service, 22 August 2009. (Written by Robin Mowat).
Good-afternoon,
On behalf of my father's family and friends, I'd like to share a few brief thoughts about his life.
But first, I would like to thank everyone for coming. Especially those who've travelled great distances to be here - thank-you. I know my father loved you all very much.
I also wish to give a special thanks to everyone in Kindersley and area who have supported my family - materially and morally - over this past week. This kindness is a testament to your essential decency and generosity.
At the entrance of the church there are photos of my father and testimonials from loved ones who couldn't be here today. I encourage you to spend some time looking at these.
My father was a good man. In his time he was a son and brother, father and friend. A leader of men and a follower of Jesus. And he touched many lives. My father lived best when he loved others. And through his dedication to God he was able to share his love with the world. I know that he has helped many people through his work.
Like all of us he had his struggles. There were bad times in between the good. But in the end, there were more calm seas and sunny days than storms in my father’s life. It was a life well lived.
The last time I saw my father and my mother together, he spoke at length about the summer of 1967 - the year of Canada's centennial and the Montreal Expo. He was sixteen and he was a crewman on the Sail Training Vessel Pathfinder. A paid gig. He spent the summer barefoot, shirtless, sun on his back, wind in his hair, as the Pathfinder plied the waters of the St. Lawrence. In Montreal, he wandered among the Expo pavilions as a VIP in his white uniform. The summer nights were filled with magic.
Unbeknownst to my father at the time, my mother was also at Expo ‘67 on a school trip from Nova Scotia. It was as if - even at this early time - my father's heart was caught in the tide of my mother’s love, pulling him toward her.
That summer was the first time he would take the wheel, steer a vessel - and under his fingers, in his palms, he felt the taut pull of the wind, of the Sea of Life pulling him forward.
It would pull him across the years, through twenty-five years in the Navy, another dozen in the Ministry; it would pull him to his young Nova Scotian bride and around the world; eventually he rode the waves of life from Victoria to England, from Moosomin to Kindersley.
And this is how I will remember him: tanned and wind-swept, riding the Sea of Life, come hell or high water, grin across his face, a guitar in his lap.
Each of you here harbour your own special memory of your time with him. I ask you to consider these memories today and in the future. Memories are gifts from the great Sea of Life and you can board them and sail around in them anytime you like, regardless of if your life is swamped by storms or softened under sunny skies.
We love you dad.
-----
22 August 2009
St. Mary’s Anglican Church
Kindersley, Saskatchewan
----------------------------------------------
My friend, Louise, submitted an article to The Lookout (a military newspaper based out of Victoria). This is what was published earlier this week:
PO1 (Ret’d) Robert “Farley” Mowat
Father, husband, friend, sailor, pastor. Petty Officer First Class (ret’d) Robert Alexander Laird Mowat was these things and more to those who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Farley” to his sailor buddies and “Sandy” to family will always be remembered for his zest for life and love of those close to him. He passed away at home on Aug. 18, 2009, age 58 of a heart attack. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, and his sister Laura who died in February 2009. He is survived by wife Carole, daughter PO2 Erin Mowat R315 of HMCS Malahat, Sgt Robin Mowat of 737 Comm Sqn Saskatoon, and daughter-in-law Janelle. He also leaves behind three surviving siblings and his Anglican parish, which was like an extended family to him. Sadly, a fourth sibling, sister Mavis died two days after attending his funeral.
Farley’s naval career was colourful and long, typical of his generation of sailor. He had the tattoos to prove it! He was born on Nov. 8 ,1950, in Toronto, ON, one of seven children. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a Stoker as soon as he was old enough, in search of adventure and a future.
Nor was he the first sailor to count himself lucky to find a lovely Nova Scotian bride. Farley had fond memories of his life in the Navy, from the early years on HMCS Bonnaventure, and Onanadaga, to later years on HMCS Kootenay, Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan and Yukon and finally at HMCS Queen in Regina. He was so proud when his children followed his example by joining the Canadian Forces. His daughter was regularly approached at navy functions by former shipmates of her father’s and the conversations always started with “let me tell you a story about your Dad.” Upon retirement from the navy in 1994 Sandy heard a higher calling, which he answered. After his ordination as an Anglican minister in 1996 he joined the Saskatchewan Gateway Parish in Saskatchewan. His ministry took him to Moosomin, England, and finally Kindersley, SK, with the congregation of St Mary’s.
Be he “Farley” or “Sandy” to you, his guitar and singing were a huge part of his life. Pictures remain of him wearing square rig and leading a round of song in the mess. Music remained a large part of his life. In England he and his guitar closed down the local pub on countless occasions. At home in Saskatchewan his band the “Steamin Armpitz” were regular features. In pubs, pulpits, and legions wherever home was, it was never long before Sandy and his guitar would soon appear.
Consider these final words from his eulogy as delivered by his son: “Each of you here harbour your own special memory of your time with him. I ask you to consider these memories today and in the future. Memories are gifts from the great Sea of Life and you can board them and sail around in them anytime you like, regardless of if your life is swamped or softened under sunny skies.”
Thank you, Louise. If you'd like to see the article you can find it at:
Latest Tributes
Raise A Wee Dram - We did indeed raise a "few' wee drams during our time together in seminary. Some over rigorous debates about very important matters, some over far less serious issues and sometimes just for the sake of a mighty fine taste!! I was always awestruck when Sandy would sing (without miising a word) "Alice's Restaurant", I had a hard time remembering the first line! I came across a quote a few years ago which I think is great and really reminds me of my friend Sandy -- "life is not about going to the grave in a pretty, well-preserved state but about sliding in broadside loudly proclaiming "WOW what a ride!!" I think this speaks of how I knew and loved Sandy in his life, his ministry and as a colleague. So here's to you my friend...Cheers. - from Nigel & Barb Packwood
Our deepest condolences - Carol and family - it is easy to see by all the stories that Sandy was a fun loving and Blessed man who touched many lives over the years. We were fortunate to have known him way back in the early years of navy life in Halifax. What fun we all had together. We think of you often, and were so sorry to hear of his passing. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. All our love, Lee and Anne - from Anne and Lee Ashcroft
As a submariner - For want of the familiarity of a nickname among submariners, Farley's time in the submarine service is well remembered. A hard-working stoker who was always cheerful and jovial and a great asset to have when it was time to put down his donk shop tools and dig out the guitar. But there was a measure of seriousness about Farley that everyone around him was puzzled by. We were to find later as he left the navy, that he met his calling as a compassionate and caring human being he was.....and for that we remained proud of saying, "We sailed with Farley!"
On behalf of all members of East Branch the Submariners Association of Canada, our deepest condolences and feelings of support to Carole and family.....In true submarine fashion in recalling of Sandy (Farley) Mowat, Dolphin Code 1 Alpha: "Your last surfacing procedure was First Class."
D.H.'Buster' Brown (chairman) - from Buster
Cheers, my friend - Sandy and I spent many hours walking the paths of the University of Saskatchewan during our time at seminary at Emmanuel and St. Chad in Saskatoon. He was a good friend, a talented musician and a dedicated man of God.
My favourite memory of Sandy was the night a group from seminary residence went to see "The Irish Descendants." The evening started about six o'clock and ended about three-thirty the next morning. What a time. What a memory. What a friend. What a loss.
We sang a few songs together and played as the seminary's only two left-handed guitarists and tilted a few pints as well.
God richly blessed his life and richly blesses his memory. - from Rev Doug Shepherd
The Top Man of the cloth - Sandy was a great man to talk to... a real man..a man whowould put the chuch into context. A great friend on my radio show. Thanks Sandy, Colin Young BBC Shropshire. - from Colin Young
Latest Memories
John Evans and Oswestry Folk - Last Friday, 5th March, Sandy's "folkie" friends and parishioners in Kinnerley held a folk concert to remember Sandy in Kinnerley Parish Hall. Over 80 people were there and all of us still miss him very much.
Our friend Bram Taylor came down from Lancashire to join us; we shared our memories of songs we'd sung with Sandy with the audience. We sang quite a few of them and, in true Sandy fashion, got everyone joining in and kept them there much later than they had expected. I hope Erin would have felt that we did justice to Morningtown Ride; led by the Rev. Rosie Bowers. Rosie, now priest in charge of the Parish turns out to be another folkie so we persuaded her to join us.
We have divided the proceeds from the evening, over £600, equally between two charities, the Kinnerley Church Restoration Fund which Sandy put so much work into and the British Heart Foundation.
Sandy is much missed and never forgotten. Love to Carole and all in Canada.
Carole - I'm missing you veru much this weekend, honey. I love you.
This is a poem that Sandy wrote many years ago.
For Carole
It's time to go again; a kiss, a hug and tears.
It's nothing new to me or you; we've done it through the years.
A normal life seems far remote; but time at home's well spent.
Our children ask "Why does he go, and where is is that he went?"
When my mistress call, I must go; it's hard to understand.
But as I leave, go out the door, you gently squeeze my hand.
My mistress, she is beautiful, with many moods so varied.
I'm sure sometimes you ask yourself, "Why is it that we married?"
As I reflect upon our life, the time's been both good and bad.
You've stood by me through thick and thin; the strength you must have had.
A life with you is a pleasure, and happier no man could be
To have a wife who loves him when his mistress is the sea.
A monument of solid gold to you could not express
My love for you and all you do in aid of my success.
Before my life is over and time has slipped away.
I hope that you'll forgive me for each time I went away.
John Evans, Maesbrook, Shropshire - I was introduced to Sandy as a fellow "folkie" shortly after he arrived in Kinnerley. We soon discovered that we not only knew a lot of the same songs but also we both played the guitar the right (left) way round. Baffled some people to see two left handers on stage together. We sang a lot together and learned a lot from each other. Sandy introduced me to the music of Stan Rogers and I introduced him to Archie Fisher. With our friends in Oswestry Folk we did some good gigs and organised several seasons of successful folk events in the area. Sandy was the best musical partner I've ever had, but I'll remember just as fondly our quiet evenings in the local pub chatting about music, sailing, life, the universe and everything. He and Carole were much missed by all their friends here in Shropshire when they returned to Canada and the news of Sandy's death was a deep shock to us all. Lesley and I are so sad that we can't now look forward to a return visit from him here, or to visiting him in Canada ourselves. We had always hoped to combine a visit to Sandy and Carole with making our own "North West Passage" and, maybe, driving through the Rockies to "race the roaring Fraser to the sea". We sang some of his favourite songs at the Memorial Service in Kinnerley Church and we're hoping to organise a memorial concert in the village in the New Year. Love to all Sandy's family and friends in Canada. John and Lesley (Lel) Evans
Erin - Music was always a huge part of my life growing up. It still is. Dad and his guitar are a fixture in almost all of my memories. There was one lullaby that he sang to me as a child. I'd like to share it here:
Morningtown Ride
Train whistle blowin' makes a sleepy noise,
Underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys.
Rockin', rollin', ridin', out along the bay,
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.
Driver at the engine, fireman rings the bell,
Sandman swings the lantern to show that all is well.
Rockin', rollin', ridin', out along the bay,
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.
Maybe it is raining where our train will ride,
All the little travellers are warm and snug inside.
Rockin', rollin', ridin', out along the bay,
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.
Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day,
Somewhere there is Morningtown, many miles away.
Rockin', rollin', ridin', out along the bay.
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.
Rockin', rollin', ridin', out along the bay,
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.
I miss you, Dad.