Cecil DePratu

1924 ~ 2015

Cecil DePratu of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Leta DePratu, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Extendicare in Lethbridge in his 91st year. Cecil, so proud of his southern Alberta roots, leaves behind an extended personal family, and the many friends he and Leta cultivated over the years.

Cec was born at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on June 19, 1924, son of Raphael and Amanda DePratu. Cec, as a youngster, and his mother moved to southern Alberta, making Warner their home. Cec fondly remembers the years his mom ran a restaurant. Warner was an anchor for Cec who was educated in Warner and worked as a grain elevator buyer with his brother-in-law Melvin Erickson there. His first elevator manager position came in 1948 at McNab, the same year he and Leta were married. It was there son Jeff entered the family in 1951. He moved to New Dayton for the grain company, and added Midway Service, a service station and bulk plant, to his business ventures in 1959. During that time Cec and Leta drove school bus from both McNab and New Dayton. In retirement the couple moved to Lethbridge. Cec also sold crop insurance across southern Alberta for 50 years.

Cec and Leta decided to expand their family in 1954. Roberta Kay (Bobbi) was the real prize following the team’s Provincial Intermediate B Basketball championship – a 17-day-old baby.

Cec managed several sports teams, including baseball, in New Dayton. He relished any contact over the years with former players and coached in many hot-stove debates.

A strong Christian, church remained a constant in Cec’s life. He served many church board positions in new Dayton and Lethbridge, and enjoyed all the years Leta played organ in New Dayton.

Cec loved hockey on an outdoor rink as a youngster. Fishing became a real passion, something he passed on to his grandson. In Lethbridge, Cec took a woodworking course at Lethbridge College and could often be found in his garage making projects.

Cec had many cars over the years, and tried many makes. A favourite car was a 1963 Valiant convertible, owned originally by his sister-in-law JoAnn. Cec took pride in watching son-in-law Mike Hubbard restore it. His last purchase with Jeff was a Lincoln.

Camping, with a tent or camper, was life-long passion for Cec and Leta, mainly in the Pacific Northwest United States and western Canada.

Cec is survived by son Jeff DePratu of Lethbridge and daughter Roberta (Mike) Hubbard of Calgary and her children Robert John (Tara) Kaupp and their sons Caiden and Jaxyn; and Angela (Greg) Brose and their sons Matthew and Andrew. He is also survived by numerous extended family members from Alabama to Eastern Canada to the west Coast. Cec was the last in the DePratu lineage. He is survived by sister-in-law JoAnn Meisser of Lethbridge.

Jeff and Roberta will welcome family and friends to a celebration of life for their father at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 St. S., Lethbridge, AB. An inurnment service will follow at Mountain View Cemetery to honour Cec and Leta.