URSULAN, Steve

August 8, 1925 — November 28, 2019

Steve was the beloved son of Andrew and Anna (née Kerekes) Ursulan who immigrated from Bukovina, Hungry in 1902. Dad was born August 8, 1925 and raised on the family farm in the District of Quinton, Saskatchewan. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Joyce, of 59 years; by sisters and brothers Rosie, Annie, Max, Theresa, Mary and Nick; and also, by his great grandson Q.

Dad was survived by his youngest sibling Aunty Beth; his beloved children Darcy, Gary (Colleen), Karen (Vern Scott) and Garnet; by his much loved grandchildren Jamie (Bosque), Tyler, Dylan (Danielle), Quinton and Stefen; and also, by the sweetest great granddaughters ever Aislinn, Esme, Ilora, Nautica and Mhyr.

Dad worked hard on the family farm until he was about 25 years old when he went on an adventure to pick tobacco in Ontario. He loved it but returned to the farm and soon met and fell in love with Joyce, the district schoolteacher. They married and began the story of our family. It began on the farm, but they decided to move into Quinton, SK where Dad became a barber. Years later, they moved to Yorkton, SK where they settled and raised the four of us. He was a soft-spoken man who worked very hard for his family. He was a handyman who was very particular in the process and end result of his many projects, from taking a van and creating a camper to woodwork on a lathe (a retirement hobby). One precious memory is the skating rinks he created every winter for us kids and all the neighbors’ kids to enjoy. He was very proud of his children and their achievements and happily attended all hockey and baseball games and figure skating events. He loved planning the family summer vacations, whether fishing and camping at Devils Lake or driving across Canada to visit relatives. He was faithful to try very hard to BBQ whatever Mom gave him to cook but it usually turned out well done. We also have many fond memories of his jokiness and little pranks like stones in our shoes or sweater sleeves tied together, keeping life fun and interesting. As a father he was always supportive, encouraging us to work hard and do our best and strive for the best future for ourselves and our families.

In 1990, our Dad fulfilled a long-time dream by retiring in Kelowna, BC. He loved manicuring the yard of their new home. They soon had many new friends whom they loved to gather with for potluck dinners and rowdy games of cards. They also enjoyed bowling on a league team for a few years. But most of all I think Dad was so happy to be closer to family again. Especially his grandsons who he loved to garden with, go on walks with and enjoyed many games of checkers with. Dad was always thrilled when they received visits from Jamie and Tyler who lived further away. He was so proud to see his grandchildren grow up and choose their own paths in life, some starting families of their own. Dad’s great granddaughter Aislinn remembers that he liked to giggle, and her sister Esme remembers him as nice and kind.

The last weeks of his life his children were by his side and he was at peace, until that triumphant day of November 28, 2019 when he took his last breath and his Spirit was free to start a new life. He left his loved ones to carry on with the next chapter of the Ursulan Family Story.

We will hold a private Family Burial Ceremony on December 4, 2019. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Steve’s name to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, alzheimer.ca/en/Home. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.