Clifford Beattie

BEATTIE, Clifford Johnnie born April 28, 1936 – April 23, 2024 aged 87 years.

            Clifford was born on April 28, 1936, in Roblin, MB to Johnnie and Kathleen (Levins) Beattie.  He attended school in Makaroff, MB and lived most of his life on the family farm. In 1956, he moved to Alberta and worked a short while on a ranch and then moved to Calgary where he worked in the construction and plumbing field.  In, 1957, he worked for Bell Bros. in Togo, SK. In 1963, he retired due to his vision loss and would move to Togo, SK.

            In 1999, Clifford received his first guide dog, Fax, and that would change his life.  Animals were always his passion; whether cats, dogs, horses or cattle; so, it was not a problem to deal with his new sidekick and soon they would be working as one.  The love and trust they shared was amazing. 

            In 2007, Clifford moved from Togo to Roblin apartments. In 2009, he married a friend from his past Linda Benson (Gibson). With her came three grown children and eight grandchildren.  It could have been a little overwhelming, but Clifford being Clifford just carried on and soon found out they were not going away.  They all loved Clifford immediately and he would treat them as his own.

            Clifford was affiliated with Knox United Church, a lifetime member of the Canadian Order of Forresters and belonged to the Roblin Lions Club.  Challenged with blindness, he had gained his independence back when he received his first service dog, Fax.  It seemed only fit that he should become a strong advocate for the guide dog program with the Lions Foundation of Canada.  Clifford spent many hours visiting schools and educating the young children about service dogs.  He also travelled to many places to take part in the yearly Guide Dog Walks.  Clifford felt he had been given so much and gave back with his time.  He became very visible in the community of Roblin when he walked the streets at least twice a day with this dog(s).  In 2012, he received his second dog, Webster and again they took to the streets as one.

            Clifford’s other passion was the daily trek to the Fifty and Over Club where he would be found drinking coffee, playing the money game and enjoying a wild game of crib.

            Due to declining health, Clifford moved to Grandview PCH in December of 2023 and ended his journey on earth, April 28, 2024.

            Clifford was predeceased by his parents Johnnie and Kathleen Beattie, sister Donna Nabe and brother-in-law Harold Nabe, Pete Penniston, Rob Gibson, and sister-in-law Betty Gibson.  He is lovingly remembered by his wife Linda, and her three children: Ben Benson, Curtis (Teresa) Benson, Tracy (Mike) Cole and grandchildren Carolynn, Gabriel, Danielle, Nathan, Jessie, Cassandra, Bailey, Hannah, sister Ilene Penniston, and Beryl (Ross) Poulsen, brother-in-law George Gibson, nephews Jack (Brenda) Penniston, and Don (Margaret) Penniston, nieces Rhonda Poulsen and Leslie (Bertie) Laurens.

Celebration of Life Service was held on May 4, 2024, from Knox United Church, Robin, MB with Marg West officiating.  Interment followed at Togo Community Cemetery, Togo, Sk.  Donation in memory of Clifford may be made to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides – Canine Vision (152 Wilson Street, Oakville, Ontario, L6K 0G6) or to Roblin Fifty and Over Club.  To leave a note of condolence for the family please visit nairnchyzwolkowski.ca

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