James "Mark" Cubbon

To watch the recording of the service, click this link: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/134507308

James "Mark" Cubbon was born on April 16, 1932, in North Battleford Saskatchewan. Growing up on his parent's (Jim/Sarah) farm near Whitkow with his brother John and his sister Hazel. Mark learned the value of hard work at a young age. The "Dirty Thirties' were a time when survival meant being independent, resourceful, and self-sufficient on the farm. The tough times built a strong character in Dad. Led by Jim and Sarah, the kids were up at 4 am daily to get the cows milked and animals fed before heading off in a horse drawn wagon to the one-room school a few miles away. 

Starting a job at the North Battleford Co-op Creamery brought a move off the farm as a young man. Later, he worked for the city of North Battleford and became a heavy equipment operator. He met Wally, his wife of 67 years, and they were married in 1953. Mark and Wally built a house in North Battleford and soon were the proud parents of Linda (1954) and Dave (1955). In 1958 Mark joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and was stationed in Winnipeg Manitoba where Grant (1961) was born and rounded out the family of 5. In 1965 an overseas position in Zweibrüchen Germany at 3 Wing was accepted where they lived until 1968 before returning to Canada to Dundurn, Saskatchewan.

In 1969 Mark left the Air Force and the family moved to Saskatoon. He worked different jobs including night attendant at a gas station while working as a heavy equipment operator during the day. He also completed the coursework for a journeyman plumber however, with apprenticeships being scarce he couldn't complete the hours to get his ticket. In 1971 Mark took a job at the Cory Potash mine just outside of Saskatoon where he operated heavy equipment used to manage the mine tailings facility, and then bought a house in the Westview neighborhood of Saskatoon for the family of 5. With Linda getting married and moving to Winnipeg, and Dave finishing university and moving Alberta, Mark and Wally took on supporting local sports teams to a new level. Dad took on the role of financial manager for Grant's hockey team. He enjoyed it so much he stayed in the role for 3 years after Grant finished playing! 1981, at 49, Mark bid onto a Millwright apprenticeship program. On the first day of classes the instructor casually mentioned that some of the older candidates often struggle with the classroom portion of the apprenticeship program and typically fail. Taking this personally, Mark doubled down on his studying. His efforts paid off and he graduated with the highest mark of all the students in his graduating class. Mark worked as a millwright at Cory Potash mine until a major layoff in 1988. After working in the northern uranium mines for several years, Mark retired as a millwright in 1994. Not content to sit still in retirement, he became the farm hand for the family business he owned with Dave and Grant. Summers included long days in the field M with the Loon Lake cabin as his 'home base' for the summer months. Work included helping with day-to-day activities maintaining the leaf cutter bee population, and helping out with the Saskatoon berry farm. Winters were kept busy building custom machinery for harvesting both Saskatoon berries and leaf cutter bees, and travelling.By 2012 the family business was winding down. With the extra money they made he and Wally travelled extensively. Their many trips included visiting Peru, New Zealand, Alaska, and the United Kingdom, while still keeping up with regular visits to relatives spread over Canada, US, Poland, and Germany. 

By 2017 Wally's health was failing and Mark rose to the occasion to take on the household chores so they could stay in the Westview home. In 2019, with Wally's health getting worse, Mark helped find her a care home near the Westview house and spent everyday with her. When COVID arrived Dad was told he had a choice of moving into the care home with Mom, or not being able to visit. Dad quickly moved into a spare room at the home until they later were able to move to a carehome in Stonebridge where they could once again share a room. Dad was Mom's primary caregiver until she passed away in September of 2021.Although lonely at times, dad kept up family ties right to the end. Sunday suppers with Grant and Brenda, and regular visits both from and to Linda and Warren in Winnipeg along with Dave and Judy in Meadow Lake kept Mark up to date with his 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. 

Throughout his life dad was the 'go to' guy for any and all types of mechanical, carpentry, or plumbing problem. Every child and grandchild experienced his tireless work ethic. He seemed to always be helping to repair a car, fix a plumbing problem, or help with a renovation. Every grandchild enjoyed toys that he made by hand for them. Family was important to him, and was always seemed to be included in some way during vacations. He enjoyed spending time at any event for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.In April 2025 Mark was sent to St. Paul's hospital in Saskatoon after an injury from a fall. He was later moved to Royal University Hospital where he recovered sufficiently to be given residence at Sherbrooke Community Center in Saskatoon. Staff at Sherbrooke took great care of Dad until he passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025.

Mark is survived by his 3 children: Linda(Warren) Reimer; Dave (Judy); and Grant(Brenda); 10 grandchildren: Laura(Ray) Offman; Amanda(Bryan) Howie; Mark(Kristen) Reimer; Amie(Earl) Kowalcyzk; Jacqueline(Scott) Gilroyed, James(Gwen) Cubbon, Sarah Cubbon; Derek Cubbon; Niall Cubbon; Lauren Cubbon(Brandon Parsons); 17 great grandchildren; his sister, Hazel (Stewart) Andreen of Kelowna and his brother-in-law, Alvin Schafer of Lloydminster.He is predeceased by his wife Wally, brother John, sister-in-law Dorothy, sister-in-law Herta, brother-in-law Gerhart Klemm and sister-in law Edith Schafer.

A Celebration of Mark's Life will take place Tuesday, September 16,2025,2:00 pm at Saskatoon Funeral Home(338 4th Avenue North) With a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the 'Heart and Stroke Foundation'.