Chudleigh – It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our father, grandfather and great grandfather, George Starks Chudleigh on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 in Brooks, Alberta, at the grand age of 101 years. “Starks” was born in Prelate, Saskatchewan on November 8th, 1916 to George and Dorothy Chudleigh. The family moved to Bindloss when Starks was a baby where his father worked for the CPR. Starks attended school in Bindloss until grade 10 and then stayed with an uncle in Duchess for grade 11 as there was no high school in Bindloss. In grade 12 the parents in the Bindloss area hired a teacher and created a rural high school at a local farm. Many great memories and stories were recalled from those times. In his early twenties his parents decided to send him to Toronto because they thought he was becoming too fond of a certain blonde haired beauty in the area. He was successful in finding employment but couldn’t shake the blonde from his mind so he soon returned to Bindloss and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Larsen in 1941. After their marriage they took over the Larsen homestead and there Starks began his happiest years as a farmer. Together they raised five children. They were very active in the community and Starks was never too busy to help his neighbours. Starks and Marg loved music and once a month would find them playing in a small community band for dances, Starks on the violin and Marg at the piano. He’d often recall fondly how they’d play until the sun came up, the children all asleep on coats in the back of the hall. Starks and Marg retired from the farm in 1974, moving to Brooks, where he held a couple of jobs until he actually retired. They made many new friends in Brooks and the weekends always found them dancing at the legion and playing bridge with friends. Their greatest passion though was for camping in their motor home with Marg’s brother and his wife, Cliff and Phyllis Larsen. Starks and Marg moved into Newbrook Lodge in 1998. Margaret passed away in 2002 and Starks continued living at the lodge, keeping in shape by walking every morning with his daughter, Vicki. After years of not playing his violin, he dusted it off again and helped create a band in the lodge. They performed every Saturday afternoon to an enthusiastic audience. Starks married Rosemary Armstrong, also a wonderful piano player, and they lived happily at the lodge until Rosemary’s passing. In 2016 we celebrated Starks 100th birthday with a gathering of family and friends. Due to his failing physical health, Starks moved to the Brooks Longterm Care in 2017, where he resided until his passing. He leaves to mourn his children: Vicki (Terry) Hall of Brooks, Wendy(Terry) Wydner of Blackfalds, Cliff (Nancy) Chudleigh of Cochrane, and Kent (Kathy) Chudleigh of Brooks, daughter-in-law Gail Chudleigh of Medicine Hat, sister Julia Taylor of Medicine Hat, 10 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. He was very close to his step daughters, Jean (Del) Giles. and Joan ( George) Niznik of Brooks. He is also survived by two nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his first wife Margaret, his second wife Rosemary, his son Warren Chudleigh, his grandsons, David Trapp and Stewart Chudleigh. He is survived by countless friends in both the Bindloss and Brooks area. Starks was happiest when he was caring for others and loved to be surrounded by family and music! He was a dedicated and loving father and for that we are all eternally grateful. We will miss you Dad. Love you bunches! A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. In memory of Starks, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks Alberta T1R 1B3.
Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.
