Lyell Colburn Armitage

Armitage, Lyell - The family of LyeIl Armitage, formerly of Saskatoon, Regina, Flin Flon, Vancouver and Chilliwack, B.C. report his passing on Sunday, November 17 in Chilliwack, BC. Born at Saskatoon in 1936, LyelI was predeceased by his parents Charles (1947) and Mamie (1987) (nee Sutherland), son Lindsay (2008), brothers Russell (1980), Charles (2007), and sisters-in-law Terri (1997), and Ruby (2013). He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Donelly (nee Gareau), 3 outstanding and creative children, sons Paul (Julie), Vancouver, Perry (Linda) New Westminster, daughter Nancy Armitage, Chilliwack, B.C., 4 spectacular and gifted grandchildren Bristol and Grayson Armitage, Regina, Emily and Noah Armitage, New Westminster and numerous other relatives. Lyell moved to Regina in 1948 with his mother following the death of his father. He attended Thomson school, and Central Collegiate. In 1956 he began a 9-year radio broadcasting career in Flin Flon, MB. As the sports director of CFAR, Lyell provided play-by-play commentary of the Memorial Cup final of 1956/57 to a network of radio stations across Canada as the Flin Flon Bombers won the Cup. In 1957 he was hired by CKRM in Regina as a staff announcer and assistant sports director. In the following 8 years he held the positions of sports director, promotion director, production manager and salesman. In 1965 Lyell left the radio business to become a sales representative with MacMillan Bloedel in Saskatchewan. In 1976 he accepted the position of employee coordinator with MB's Employee Assistance Program, moving his family to Vancouver. In 1986 Lyell returned to Regina as Director, Regional Services South with the Saskatchewan Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (SADAC). In 1995 these services were transferred to the Regina Health District. Lyell retired as Director, Alcohol and Drug Services in 2002 and started a private consulting firm in the addictions and training fields. As a recovering alcoholic he was an active member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, joining in September 1960, sponsoring and working with many suffering from the disease of alcoholism. For many years Lyell was active in service activities within the fellowship. Lyell spoke at numerous fellowship functions, industrial training sessions, workshops and seminars. He was a strong proponent of total abstinence from all mood altering substances in the treatment of the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction. Lyell was a pioneer in the field of interventions with addicted individuals facilitating many of them in his career. He appeared in several court cases as an expert witness on addictions in recent years. All his life, Lyell was actively involved in sports. His hockey career started in the Regina Parks Hockey League, then billed as the world's largest hockey league. An all-star in high school football and hockey, he was a member of the Regina Pats, Midget Provincial "A" champions in 1952/53. When Lyell was 15 years old he pitched in the Regina Men's "A" Fast Ball League at Central Park. He recorded 2 no-hit no-run games in the fast ball career. He played Junior football with the Regina Rams in 1957. An ardent golfer, jogger, curler, tennis and badminton player Lyell continued to play old-timers hockey, golf and tennis into his mid-70's. The high light of his golfing career was an eagle 2 on the par 4, 18th hole at the Waskesiu golf course in P.A. National Park. He had many close calls, with hit pins, pop outs and close roll byes but no holes-in-one. After retiring, he developed an interest in genealogy tracking his family roots back to the 1600's in the U.K. As a 70th birthday gift from his family, he was presented with an all-expense paid trip to Scotland & the Orkneys to personally check on his ancestors. His daughter Nancy, whose idea it was, accompanied him on the trip in 2007. In 2008 Lyell and Donelly retired to Chilliwack. He also had a love of photography taking many special photos of his family, Saskatchewan's sunsets, lakes, skies and British Columbia's mountains and scenery. In 2014 he completed writing his memoirs entitled 'Lyell's Memorable Dates.' He took great pleasure and satisfaction in the achievements of their children & grandchildren. Whether it was on a golf course, concert stage, sheet of ice or playing field he was there supporting his children or grandchildren and taking pictures. One of Lyell's greatest gifts was his ability to make family, friends and strangers laugh with his sharp wit and perpetual humour. Other attributes included keen memory, awareness, enthusiasm, positivism, encouragement of others to develop their potential and 'follow their bliss', love of the Creator, family, friends and of life. A service to celebrate Lyell's life will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home in Chilliwack at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the BCSPCA. "I've been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened."