Born November 6, 1947 – Died July 15, 2025
Predeceased by: Mother, Katherine Sutherland; Father, Maurice Gardiner; Stepfather, Charles Sutherland; Brother, Lyle Gardiner; Sister, Adelle Groff; Fur family: Smokee and Lady.
Lovingly survived by: Wife, Anna Gardiner; Daughters, Wanda (Chris), Yvonne (Jim), and Kathryn (Dan); Grandchildren, Brandon, Tasia (Josh), Victor and Jacob, Liam and Brianna; Brothers, Lionel (Lois) and Glen (Francis); Sister, Louise; and many many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
Blaine was born to Katherine and Maurice Gardiner in Clair, Saskatchewan, and had five siblings—Lyle (deceased), Lionel and Louise, Adelle, and Glen. After his dad’s passing in 1961, his mother married Charlie Sutherland. They all grew up in the Wadena/ Clair area; from there they all went off to build their own lives.
Blaine moved to Regina and worked as a long-haul trucker. He met Beverley Ealey; they were married in 1972 and had three daughters – Wanda, Yvonne, and Kathryn. After divorcing, he moved to Edmonton, where he met Anna Wasyleshko, and they married on December 21, 1985.
Blaine worked for many years at CFB Edmonton as a civilian driver until a fall resulted in him being on long-term disability in 1995.
Blaine loved family and friends and went out of his way to visit and keep in touch with everyone. In May of 1988, he and Anna bought an acreage that they both cherished and loved, where he remained until his recent passing.
An avid outdoors-man, he would attend yearly hunting and fishing trips, and everyone looked forward to all the BBQs that resulted. Anna and Blaine had a love of camping; they would load up their RV and travel all over British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. This gave them the opportunity to attend family and friends events or just stop in for a visit.
He loved his grand-kids so much—all kids, for that matter! He would have them out to ski/toboggan on his ski hill, camp out in the “Chalet,” and for BBQs and bonfires. He even brought the Scouts out to partake in these winter activities. He taught his grand-kids how to cut the grass on the riding lawn mower and woodworking as well as hunting and fishing.
He was very detailed in recalling historical family information and did his best to make sure all his children and grandchildren were also aware of the history.
We will all miss his special “top-ups” on our coffee while we were camping, sitting around with our tequila shots, or a good glass of wine. His favourite, unfortunately, was Royal Red, but that was being refined over the years. He always made sure we had a beer or wine in our hands.
He was an exceptional storyteller and jokester because he had so many experiences that no one ever heard the same story twice. As he was telling the stories, you were so glued to the information, as he had such a wonderful talent in the delivery that you would be sore for days from laughing so hard.
He loved to cook and would make sure you had a full stomach. If you left hungry, that would be “your own damn fault.” He would always be willing to share a recipe or try a new one and then tweak it to make it his own.
Blaine was talented at bartering and was always trading, as he could see the value in everything. One of those trades resulted in his beloved moped with a butterfly on a spring. He would teach the kids and grandkids to ride it, and once you rode it, you would officially become part of his Butterfly gang. He even let his own mother ride it, but that did not go as expected. She fell and broke her arm, but she was proud to say she saved the butterfly.
While at home he developed a love for birds and wildlife. He would feed all of them from his back deck and developed a connection with each and every one of them. They seemed to know who he was and would watch for him where they would have conversations. We think they even understood one another! He had his beloved cats as well that meant the world to him – Smokee and then Lady.
Blaine lived his life with energy and a fullness that he was proud of, and his family cherished every moment with him. He will be missed by everyone that came in contact with him, as his personality, charm, and character made him a memorable person, and everyone enjoyed him.
At Blaine’s request there will not be a service. There will be a private inurnment held at a later date for only close family.
