Eugene "Gene" Leroy Beitz

Loving husband, father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather

Gene leaves behind his beloved wife, Anne; daughters Cheryl (Ed) and Sharon (Arron); his grandchildren Stephanie (Tucker), Matthew (Damara), Jared (Cursten), Jessy (Krista), Dalynn (Phil), and Tristen (Mikayla); and eight precious great-grandchildren-with more blessings yet to come. Sister Bev; brother Jim; sister Judy, brother Gary (Gail); sister Fern (Keith): Sister -in- law Neleta (John) and brother-in-law Don (Joan). Many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leah and Alec, and his eldest sister, Geraldine. Brothers-in-law Hank and Jeff, and sister-in-law Rose.

My grandfather was born with a story to tell. He came into this world on Christmas Eve, on a snowy winter day, in the post office of Rein, Saskatchewan a beginning as unique and memorable as the life he would go on to live. In 1945 his family moved to garland Manitoba where he spent most of his adolescent years, this is where he developed his love for the great outdoors and trapping.

In 1957 Gene joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was stationed in Greenwood NS. It was here he met the love of his life Kathlene "Anne" MacGregor. They were married on September 24th 1960 and recently celebrated 65 wonderful years.

After leaving the Air Force Grandpa spent several years in hotel management until moving the family to an isolated little community on the North shore of Lake Athabasca. Uranium City Saskatchewan, it was here that he rekindled his passion for trapping and he and Anne would enjoy some of the best years of their lives raising their girls until the closing of the mine.

In 1988 Gene and Anne would begin a new adventure with the purchase of the Liard River Lodge on mile 496 of the Alaska Highway where they would live for the next 13 years until retiring in Athabasca, Alberta.

Whenever Grandpa spoke of "the good old days," he could transport you there. To Alice's Lake and Uranium City, where he ran successful fishing and hunting outfits; to days spent on the trapline; to the quiet forests and calm lakes that brought him peace. And just as much comfort as he found in the outdoors, he found in the evenings with a pen in hand, writing stories and poems that captured his experiences with honesty and heart.

The good old days I will forever cherish are the ones spent with him and Grandma up in Liard

—the long drives down the highway, the slow patrol walks to the hot springs, the quiet moments in between. His life was not always easy, but it was grand. It was full of experience, depth, grit, adventure, and above all, the love of his family.

It's hard to summarize 87 years. When you sit with it, you realize how many lives can be lived within one lifetime. There were so many versions of my grandfather:

The eldest brother of seven.

The child born in a post office on Christmas Eve.

The man who served in the Air Force.

The beloved husband of 65 years.

A guiding father.

A chocolatier - well, a grandfather/GG with a legendary sweet tooth.

An old golf pro (depending on who you asked).

A highway patrolman up north.

A mountain man.

A hunter.

A provider.

A published author and poet.

A woodworker.

A butcher.

And all the things in between that filled the pages of his extraordinary life.

This year began with so much hope for Gene. After a long wait, he finally received his knee and carpal tunnel surgeries. He was able to take a road trip with Cheryl and Anne down to Medicine Hat, where his heart was filled by visits with all his siblings and their families. But just a few short—yet somehow long months ago, everything changed. Though my grandfather may not have left this world the richest man in the traditional sense, he left surrounded by the unwavering devotion of his wife and daughters. Even when he was stubborn about it, they poured their strength, their time, and their entire hearts into making his final days as comfortable as possible. He never once had to question whether someone was in his corner.

The love, stamina, and courage shown by all three of these women is a testament to the man who served for so long as the sturdy pillar of our family.

He will be so deeply missed and forever graciously remembered. I know there will never be a moment when I see a bowl of nuts or a candy dish without being transported back to his den— wishing so much that he was still there, quietly sneaking me one more treat.

We will hold your memory tenderly and fondly, for all of our days.

We love you, Grandpa.

Interment has taken place at Athabasca Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place on May 30, 2026. Details to come.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Eugene "Gene" Leroy Beitz, please visit our Tree Store.