Vincent Gabriel Beckie

Vincent Gabriel Beckie died peacefully on June 16, 2025, at age 90. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Cecilia and Nicolas, both of whom had immigrated as children with their parents from Croatia.

Vince was the fourth of seven children. He grew up on the family farm in Bladworth, Sask. district, and attended Briggs Country School. He left home at 16 to finish his last two years of high school at Campion College in Regina. He was a good student and a talented athlete, playing baseball and football. After high school, Vince tried farming for one year, but a failed first crop convinced him to become an engineer. He graduated with a degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, intending to follow his brother Ken into the oil industry, but the tough job market turned him in a different direction. Grandpa Nick encouraged him by saying there is always a place for a good man.

Vince went on to establish a successful career as a groundwater consulting engineer and owner of Beckie Hydrogeologists, which completed over 150 projects for clients across the Canadian prairies and for Canadian development agencies in Sudan and Tanzania. He put in long hours over the years, and several of his children were able to work with him doing clerical, field, and technical work. He sold the company and retired at 55 years old.

Vince met the love of his life, Hilde, in the Holy Rosary Cathedral church choir in Regina. They married on July 2nd, 1960, and would have shared the grand celebration of 65 years of marriage in 2025. Their relationship only became stronger as they grew old together.

Vince and Hilde loved spending time with their friends in Regina at parish dances, hosting large gatherings at their house, and going on trips with friends and family to Mexico and Hawaii. They never hesitated to support those in need. Lifelong friendships between the Beckie family and fellow St. Martin parishioner families were established and continue to this day.

Vince was a man of deep spiritual conviction. He was a devoted follower of the Blessed Virgin at Medjugorje, and made three pilgrimages to the site. He is a founder of the Queen of Peace Center in Regina, and was newsletter editor.

Most of all, Vince was a family man: a son, brother, husband and father who was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He cherished his immediate and extended family and took his greatest pleasure visiting with them. He was a gentle yet strong father, and provided incredible support to his children and grandchildren as they navigated life’s challenges. He had a disarming wit, and enjoyed clever turns of phrase and cornball humour. Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movies could bring him to tears of laughter. Some of his favorite sayings include “busier than a one-armed paper hanger” and “come in if your nose is clean”.

Vince and Hilde moved to Vancouver in 2014, living with Vern and Gerry. They established new friendships through St. Pius church. The family is grateful for the weekly home visits from parish priests in later years. The family is also thankful for the exceptional care provided by staff and physicians to Vince at Lions Gate Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to St. Pius Catholic Church Project Advance.

Vince is predeceased by his parents and brothers, Ken and Sam, and sister Dorothy. He is survived by his siblings, Lawrence, Gerald, and Mary, his wife, Hilde, and children Bernadette, Roger (Jean), Vernon (Gerry), Noreen (Mike), Jeanette (Jeff), and Nicole (Marc-Andre). He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Kai, Jean-Francois, Isaac, Hannah, Hailey, Sarah, Taylor, Marie-Josee, Adam, Theo, Neve, and Katie, and two great-grandchildren, Deziyah and Winter.


FOTO: Private