Thomas William Sefton Band

1921~ 2015

Husband, father and grandfather, Tom Band passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on April 22, 2015 at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre.

Tom was born on September 12, 1921 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the first son of Art and Jennie Band. He was followed 3 years later by his brother Jim, now residing in New Westminster, B.C. After graduating high school in 1940, he joined the RCMP at the age of 18. He served with the Force until pensioned in 1965 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his retirement from the RCMP he worked for the City of Lethbridge as a personnel officer.

He met his wife Vera at a bowling alley in Drumheller in 1942. She followed him to Wainwright then Camrose and Westlock. After special dispensation from the RCMP, they were married on October 10, 1947. Life in the RCMP took them to Coronation, Okotoks, Brooks, Calgary and finally to Lethbridge in 1961. Vera passed away in 1996 after braving a lengthy illness.

Tom and Vera adopted two children, James and Patricia. Jim followed in his father’s, grandfather’s and uncle’s footsteps and joined the RCMP, creating a legacy of 3 generations of Band men in the Force. He married Colleen Wince in 1973 and was stationed in Powell River, B.C. at the time of his passing in 1974 at the age of 23. Colleen was remarried to Brian Luco and they had two children, Shawn (Martine)and Erin. Shawn and Erin inherited a third set of grandparents in Tom and Vera and were loved dearly by them.

Two grandsons, Robert and Patrick (Ashley) Shackleford are the children of Tom and Vera’s daughter Pat, a registered nurse residing in Lethbridge. ‘Gramp’ never missed a school Christmas concert, piano or guitar recital or soccer or volleyball game. He was his grandsons’ #1 fan observing from bleachers or from lawn chair on the soccer pitch. Rob, Patrick and Ashley were the great joy of his life. He was so very proud of all that they had accomplished.

Tom was very active in his community and his church. He had a long and outstanding Masonic career and was Past President of the Lethbridge Shrine Club and a member of the Shrine Oriental Band. He was Governor of the Lethbridge Juvenile Hockey League, Past Director of Crime Stoppers and a member of the Canadian Legion. His companion pug Spike, was a volunteer in the pet visitation program at the Chinook Regional Hospital. Tom and Vera had many dear friends across the country, almost all of whom Tom outlived.

Dad, Gramp - thank you, for our conversations and laughter, your wisdom, encouragement and support, your confidence that we could be successful in anything we chose to do. Thank you, for leaving us with the knowledge and comfort of your deep love and pride. We love you and will dearly miss you.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on April 29, 2015 at Martin Brothers Funeral Home, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on April 30, 2015 at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, 411 - 11 Street South, Lethbridge, with Reverend Canon James Robinson officiating. Internment will precede service at Mountain View Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish may make a donation in Tom’s, memory to his favorite charity, the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation, 4 Queen Street South, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 3R3 or via http://wp.srcf.ca.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.