We are saddened to announce the peaceful passing of our patriarch, Alfred Edd Eastman, aged 88 years, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, with his immediate family by his side at Saint Joseph’s Care Group.
Alfred was born October 6, 1934, in a log cabin on the banks of the west branch of Little Grassy River in McCrosson township, in the District of Rainy River, ON. He was a long-time resident of Blake township, Neebing, ON.
Survived by siblings: Margreta, Paulette, Ronald, and Edna, daughter Susan (Frank), son John, grandchildren Timothy, Matthew, Brianna (Chris), and great granddaughter Daphnea.
Predeceased by parents Erick and Stephania, brothers Archibald, Robert, as well as children Shirley, David, and Brian.
Alfred tried his hand at farming, logging, and even a factory job in Toronto for a time, but a return to the forest amplified his passion for logging and became his most enjoyable career. He started his logging career being mentored by contractors around the Lake of the Woods, and then spent 15 years with Great Lakes Forest Products. Ultimately, Alfred developed his company, Eastman Timber, and enjoyed his remaining career as a self-employed contractor working alongside his sons, Brian, and John.
He continued this until his "pseudo" retirement in his 70’s, however, Alfred still actively carried out cut and skid logging until 85 years of age, admittedly with a lower level of production than he had in his youth. Over his career, he harvested timber employing diverse methods such as bucksaws, skidding with horses, crawler tractors, all manner of power saws, and a wide collection of log skidders.
Alfred was a generous and gentle man to his family. He was modest, though he was most certainly the cornerstone for his mother and younger siblings after his father passed away at a young age. He was gifted with foresight, and many of his goals and aspirations were not simply meant for tomorrow, but for the generations to come. He had little use or desire for luxury goods when a simple, even used product would do just as well. Alfred most typically sought out items at any given auction, sometimes near, or far.
He also had a lifelong desire for acquiring knowledge, and enjoyed conversing about current events, politics, history, and much more. Alfred was a self-taught mechanic, trapper, carpenter, and entrepreneur. When he was commonly gifted books and memberships to antique tractor clubs, Alfred devoured everything he could read. He could have been considered an expert Caterpillar machinery enthusiast and looked forward to trips to various tractor shows.
Within our family, Dad was the embodiment of a true fighter. He seemed to have an indomitable will to strive to overcome the adversities that were placed in his way, right up to his last battle. He set an example for us only to aspire to match. Alfred was a wonderful father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather who we will all miss dearly.
Our family wishes to extend our sincerest gratitude for the compassionate care our Dad received in the final months and days of his life, specifically; Dr. DelPaggio, the nurses and staff on 1A at the TBRHSC, and the nurses and staff on 5 North and the hospice unit at St. Joseph's Care Group.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Shelter House Thunder Bay, or The Salvation Army would be appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
