Laurie Artiss

Laurie Artiss passed away on January 23 after a short illness. Laurie was predeceased by the mother of his daughters, Harriett and his second wife Joanne.

He leaves to mourn: his wife, Sheila; daughters, Shanuda (Roy), Karen (Chris), Dianne (Kelly); 5 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Laurie’s careers took him to Dauphin and Virden, MB as a sports director; and then to Saskatoon, SK selling encyclopaedias; and sport editor for the Brandon Sun and the Regina Leader Post.

In 1971 Laurie took a leap of faith, with the support of his family, left the Leader Post to form Laurie Artiss Ltd selling curling equipment and in 1976 a natural addition was including lapel pins. The company supplied lapel pins from Curling and Lions clubs to major events including the 1979 Commonwealth Games and to the pinnacle in Laurie’s career the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. The company continues to thrive, and is now run by the third generation of the family.

When not running his business he successfully chaired the ’73 and ’83 World Curling Championships, ’76 Canadian Mans Curling Championship, and Saskatchewan Day at Expo ’86. He held several board positions including: Tartan Curling Club and Wascana Golf and Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan; Canadian and World Curling; and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Laurie was inducted into the Canadian Football Reporter; Manitoba Baseball; Regina Sports; Saskatchewan Sports; and Canadian Curling Halls of Fame. He was named MacLean’s Man of the Year in 1988.

Retirement took him to Calgary and winters in Fair Oaks, Texas and finally to Qualicum Beach, BC living a quiet life with Sheila, and dog Jimmy, but never far from keeping up and having opinions on sports and politics.

The family is so grateful to the caregivers at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and his friends at St. Stephen’s United Church.

A Celebration of Laurie’s life was held on Friday, January 26 at 2:00 pm at St. Stephen’s United Church in Qualicum Beach.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your local SPCA or Humane Society.

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