Obituary of Joseph Harold Hilliar

Joseph Hilliar, known to many as Grandpa Joe, was born on October 18, 1929, near Tugaske, SK. Joe was the third oldest child from a family of ten. In 1936, the family moved to the Tullymet district south of Ituna to begin a homestead on a quarter of land. Joe and his siblings attended the File Hills School. In his early years, Joe worked with his dad custom threshing and making chop for local farmers. In 1947, Joe started farming on his own and then began working with the Department of Highways. On October 18, 1956, Joe married the love of his life, Martha Hynds. They were blessed with seven children. Together they became avidly involved in mixed farming and started raising Hereford and Black Angus cattle. Joe had a love for tractors especially his 1105 Massey Ferguson. In the summer you could find Joe cutting hay along the roadsides and then making bales. He adored his pets Rolo and Bear, who were always at his side. You could often hear Joe making a request on GX94 radio to family and friends. He enjoyed his old country music and GX94's Saturday Night Dance Party. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always had a $5 bill in his pocket to share with each of them. Joe enjoyed a good visit with friends and neighbors and was well known to many. Joe spent the last four years in a wheelchair but was still very active in the farming operation even in his last days. He passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Regina General Hospital following a brief final illness. He was 87 years of age. He will be greatly missed. Joe was predeceased by his father Harold, mother Christina, brother Earl, and sisters Muriel Korinetz and Margaret Garner. He leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life, his wife Martha, seven children, 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren: son Garry of Ituna; son Robert (Veronica) of Ituna and their children Mark, Darci (Evan) Wilson and children Hayley, Abby and Peyton of Regina, Matthew (Courtney) of Ituna, and Megan (Irish) De La Mare of Russell, MB; son Clarence (Korine) of Lipton, and their children Laura (Scott) Critch and sons Brian and Jacob of Fort McMurray, AB, Donovan (Kirsten) of Ardmore, AB, and Zachary (Fawne) of Lipton; daughter Marianne (Thad) Trefiak of Leross, and their children Sarah (Colin Golemba) and daughter Everly of Saskatoon, Sean (Tamara) of Ituna, Alyssa (Landon) Kuschak of Ituna, and Angela of Saskatoon; son Joey of Ituna; son John (Candace) and their daughter Aubree of Ituna; daughter Cindy (William) Scherbey of Ituna, and their children, Shelby of Langenburg, Shayna of Saskatoon, and Shynelle of Ituna. Also his brother Alex (Clara), sisters Irene McClure, Helen O'Conner, Rosalind (George) Muirhead, Elizabeth Zutz and Violet (Steve) Moleski, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Prayers were held on Thursday evening, March 9th 2017 at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church in Ituna. Rev. Fr. Albert Schmitz officiated. Shynelle Scherbey was the lay-reader. Paulette van der Helm led members of the Parish Choir in the singing of the hymns 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives' and 'Day is Done'. The eulogy was given by Sarah Trefiak & Shelby Scherbey. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 10th 2017 at St. Stanislaus Church with Fr. Schmitz as Celebrant. The Lectors were Darci Wilson & Alyssa Kuschak. Angela Trefiak & Shayna Scherbey placed the pall, and Megan De La Mare & Laura Critch were the gift bearers. Clarence Hilliar was the crossbearer. The hymns for the mass were 'Be Not Afraid', 'O God Our Help in Ages Past', 'Seed, Scattered & Sown', 'May Flights of Angels', and 'Amazing Grace'. The interment took place in the Parish Cemetery with Thad & Sean Trefiak, William Scherbey, and Matthew, Donovan & Zachary Hilliar serving as the casketbearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Service Information Thursday, March 9th, 2017 7:30pm, St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church Friday, March 10th, 2017 2:00pm, St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church Interment Details St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Cemetery