ESTEVAN — Jeff and Dan Pratt and other members of the Pratt family are grateful for the support they have received from around the world since a July 20 collision in southwest Saskatchewan that killed three members of the family.
Jeff and Dan’s father Jim, mother Judy and sister Carol died when the SUV they were travelling in collided with a parked semi-trailer unit on Highway 1 near Piapot. Also, Carol’s son Alfie suffered serious injuries in the collision and has been recovering in hospital in Regina.
Since the collision, the Pratt family has received messages of condolence and support, and gifts from people who knew the family.
Dedicated to work, family and community
Jim and Judy Pratt were married in 1972 and lived in other communities before settling in Estevan in 1987, after Jim was transferred through his work at the Bank of Montreal. He worked at a few jobs, but found a home at Investor’s Group in 1993, where he remained until 2020.
Judy worked in the health-care sector with the South East Health District and later the Sun Country Health Region from 1992-2010. From there, she was the co-manager of Creighton Lodge with her close friend Shelly Veroba until Judy retired in 2019.
“The story about what they [Judy and Shelly] did, not just for Creighton Lodge but in turn for the community of Estevan with the work that they did there, is something so admirable and impressive," said Jeff. "Talk about leaving your mark and leaving your legacy on something. Creighton Lodge is a testament to that, and we’re certainly very proud of mom and Shelly for everything that they did over there,” said Dan.
Their service went beyond their work and the activities of their children. Jeff and Dan said their parents were part of a number of different causes in the community. They were heavily involved in St. Paul’s United Church from the moment they arrived. Not only did Jim coach teams that his children were on, he guided other clubs.
When they moved to Scotsburn Square, Judy became president of the Homeowners Association. She worked the census one year. Music was a big part of their lives, and they lent their skills to the church and other groups.
“It’s hard to list their involvement in the community. It’s just very vast,” said Jeff.
In recent days, they’ve been finding out about things they didn’t realize their parents were involved in.
“I’m sure if you asked them, they’d say they got more from Estevan than they gave,” said Dan.
Their granddaughter Jovi said Jim had the best sense of humour and always made everyone laugh, while Judy always loved people and made sure everyone felt cared for.
Another granddaughter, Tenley Pratt, added that her grandparents provided them with a great childhood.
“We’d have sleepovers, watch movies and make popcorn," Tenley said. "Grandma and grandpa were the best hosts, always, whether it was everyone coming over or just one person, they always made it a special time.”
Tenley echoed Jovi’s statement about her grandather's sense of humour, while Judy had the best fashion and decor sense.
“If you came over to her house, it was always clean, always smelled so good and always had the best decor, and I definitely get that from her," said Tenley.
‘My first hero’
Meanwhile, Carol Pratt was a teacher who worked at schools all over the world. After completing a practicum in Saskatchewan at Medstead, she went to Birmingham, England, where she met her husband Steve Lewis. Then they worked in Thailand, Brazil, China, Egypt, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates.
Steve has often been the headmaster, Jeff and Dan said, while Carol was usually a teacher or vice-principal.
“They’re both very intelligent people, and very worldly, kind-hearted,” said Jeff.
Jeff said Steve likes the organization and the management work, but Carol was always the face of everything – a trait that Jeff and Dan believe Carol picked up from Jim and Judy.
“No matter what community that she was in, or what city or country that they were in, she was always very visibile, very charismatic and approachable and kind, and things like that,” said Jeff.
Carol was the oldest of the Pratt children and Jeff said she was a tough act to follow in school and the community.
“You don’t try to match her. You just try to do her proud,” said Jeff, who later added that if they were half as impressive as her, they did a great job.
She was musically inclined like her folks. Jeff and Dan became impressed with how she lived her life beyond education, travelled the world and touched more lives than they could have ever imagined.
When someone mentioned they didn’t know Jeff and Dan had an older sister, Dan said it opened this “beautiful gateway to brag about her.”
“She was my first hero. She was the first person that was in my life. She was older and helped me with stuff," said Dan.
Carol doted on Jeff, the youngest child, they said, but the dynamic between the three became a lot of fun, and they always laughed.
“When I think of Carol, I think of just her tenacity, her intelligence and her laugh, and honestly the biggest thing that Jeff and I have been talking about is the way that she mothered,” said Dan.
“She obviously had a great role model to look up to with our mom, but boy did Carol know how to love her kids.”
Jovi Pratt echoes the comments that her aunt was very smart and adventurous, while Tenley added Carol was a great conversationalist and listener who had cool stories of her life around the world.
Exponential improvements most days for Alfie
Jeff said Alfie has made “exponential improvements” since the collision. He was under sedation for a handful of days but now is awake, his eyes are open and he can communicate, although he's still groggy. He remembers cousins, uncles and his sister and father, who are always next to his bedside.
“They have been his rocks. He’s cracking jokes. It’s a brain injury and it needs to heal. So there’s memory loss, short-term memory issues right now," said Jeff.
The doctors are optimistic Alfie will make a full recovery, Jeff said, but the family recognizes it is a fragile situation.
Alfie has become a focal point for the family during this tough time, Jeff said, and so many people are fighting with him, including Alfie's father and sister.
“We lost three, and we mourn and grieve, but Alfie’s just given so many people the strength to go through this. We can’t imagine if we lost all four. There’s something to be said about Alfie surviving this, and it’s fuel for all of us to keep fighting,” said Jeff.
Jovi said Alfie loves sports and they always played sports together, and she described him as a very kind young man, while Tenley said he is a funny young man, who was becoming very strong physically.
Dan thanked the first responders at the scene and the “incredible” people at STARS Air Ambulance who kept Alfie alive on his way to Regina. Dan's also grateful for the care from the doctors and nurses in Regina, and the RCMP officers in Maple Creek for their professionalism and kindness.
“It’s just incredible to see the care that’s available to people in this part of the world,” said Dan.
Thankful for support
Jeff said the support has been “overwhelming” since the crash, not only in Estevan, but around the world due to their sisters’ travels.
“The support from people there reaching out and hearing stories about her has been amazing. Mom and dad lived in several communities and touched so many people in those communities," said Jeff.
When someone loses a loved one in a community like Estevan, everyone feels it, Jeff said.
"We lost three in Estevan. It’s affected everyone in Estevan. Obviously they touched a lot of people here, and we can’t thank everyone enough. That’s what fuels us is the messages, the stories and the love that we’re getting,” said Jeff.
Dan added he didn’t realize just how tough the first few days would be. The messages and the gestures of kindness give him a little hope and a reprieve from the pain. They're also thankful for people checking on Alfie every day.
Creighton Lodge tribute
In a post on the Creighton Lodge Facebook page, Veroba noted Judy managed the enriched living facility when the health district owned the building and she took care of it like it was her own. In 2010 when the RMs took ownership, they knew they needed Judy as a manager. She then asked Veroba to come on board.
“I trusted your judgment and followed your lead. You were the best mentor and friend,” Veroba wrote.
Judy didn’t just manage a seniors’ building, Veroba said, she helped with painting, renovating, fundraising, cooking, sharing recipes, cleaning, working late when necessary, and playing music with and for the residents.
“Your love of healthy living and exercise was shared with anyone who would listen," Veroba wrote.
A date for a celebration of life hasn’t been set, Dan said, as they want to make sure Alfie is able to attend.
