Obituary of Paul Slobodzian

SLOBODZIAN - Mr. Paul Slobodzian, resident of the Ituna Pioneer Lodge, beloved husband of Emily, passed away on Friday, March 18th 2016 at St. Peter's Hospital in Melville. He was 97 years of age. Paul immigrated to Canada from Ukraine with his parents, Andrew & Rose & older brother Mike. They settled at Gillispie near Abernethy. They lived in the train station as Andrew was the section foreman. This instilled Paul's love for the railway that will last throughout his life. Andrew passed away while working on the tracks. The family moved to the Hubbard area and bought a farm, Paul was drafted to the army being stationed in Regina being part of the Regina Rifles, during his 7 years in the army, his final posting being on Vancouver Island and being part of the Rocky Mountain Rangers. After the war he returned home to the family farm and married his sweetheart Emily Boyarski. They were married February 8, 1951 at Hubbard, Sk. They welcomed the arrival of their only child Grant Slobodzian, August 25, 1961. Paul was actively involved in the area, especially with the telephone company, he studied electronics and liked to fix radios and the occasional TV. He was the president of the Hubbard Telephone Company until its acquisition by SaskTel. He loved spending Sunday's fishing down in the Qu'Appelle Valley. In the later years he was involved with the Hubbard Golden Age Social Club, which he was the president for many years. He enjoyed events and road trips with the club. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his granddaughter Tania, taking her camping, fishing and every excuse to come to visit or have her visit. Paul and Emily remained on the farm until fall of 2012 when they moved to Sunshine Manor. In June 2013 Paul moved to the Ituna Pioneer Lodge, where he resided until his passing. He leaves to mourn his wife Emily (Boyarski), son Grant Slobodzian (Sharna Sernowski) of Yorkton. Grandaughter, Tania Kozie-Slobodzian of Kelowna, BC, sister Jenny (Wally Romaniuk) of Winnipeg, MB and niece Valerie (Ed Klosiewich) of Surrey, BC. The funeral service was held on Wednesday, March 23rd 2016 from the Chapel of Bailey's Funeral Home in Ituna with Rev. Fr. Albert Schmitz officiating. The lay-reader was granddaughter Tania. Song-leader, Leonard Varga led in the singing of 'Amazing Grace', and also sang as a solo, 'Dust in the Wind'. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion attended the and performed the Legion Tribute Service. In memory of Paul, memorials to the United Way may be made as tokens of remembrance. The funeral care was entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 1:00pm, Bailey's Funeral Home, Ituna Interment Details Ituna R.C. Cemetery