Obituary of Ivan Seray

SERAY - Ivan George Seray was born June 14th, 1948 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Ivan was the youngest of three children born to George and Anne (Prosak) Seray. Ivan enjoyed his childhood years growing up on the family farm in the Parkerview district. Ivan was always willing to undertake an adventure. He began by proving this by hitchhiking to western Saskatchewan to help build the Gardiner Dam. Ivan took his schooling in Parkerview, Foam Lake and Ituna before furthering his education at SIAST in Moose Jaw. There he obtained his Journeyman Diploma in Mechanics. With his new education he began working at automobile dealerships, first in Yorkton at Eftoda's and later in Canora. After a few years, he ventured to the pulp mills in Northern Saskatchewan and Northern Alberta working alongside his Uncle Orest, who he viewed as more of a brother than an uncle. After sustaining a major neck injury in the logging industry he went back to Moose Jaw where he obtained his Certificate in Heavy Duty Mechanics. His upgraded education took him to the open pit nickel mines at Leaf Rapids in Northern Manitoba. In 1972, Ivan became employed by Chinook Drilling Co. at Ignace, Ontario where he worked as a heavy duty mechanic until 1974. Ivan thoroughly enjoyed the challenge but wanted his family to grow up on grassroots farm ethics so he moved back to Sheho, Saskatchewan to settle his family. Upon returning to Saskatchewan and settling close to family Ivan raised three daughters; Leanne, Colleen and Kristina. After purchasing property and land, he returned to work with the Canadian Pacific Railroad. While preparing to return to shift, Ivan experienced a life changing farm accident. He became faced with the challenge of a physical disability but he found higher determination to overcome and persevere. With family, neighbor and community support Ivan resolved to remain on the family farm. He worked hard to set a sound example when it came to his daughters. He volunteered as a School Board Trustee, a 4-H Beef Leader for fourteen years and a Highway Transportation Board Member for several years. But his main objective was to always enjoy the many activities his girls were involved in. Whether it was volleyball, curling, basketball, softball, organ recitals or Ukrainian dancing Dad was always their number one fan. Ivan firmly believed in higher education and encouraged all of his daughters to pursue their dreams. Quitting was never an option. He always ensured he taught his girls how to see things to an end. However, he never realized that they received the highest education on the farm with him as their teacher. When the girls broke something they quickly learned that they would have to fix it. Being blessed with three daughters, he never needed a hired hand on the farm, he always had three right hand men to get the job done right. Ivan took great pride in teaching his girls about mechanics, raising animals, riding horses, operating tractors, and teaching them that there was never anything that could not be fixed. He had an unbelievable ability of problem solving and figuring out the mechanics of anything. Later in years, after becoming more technology savvy, he even mastered computer and satellite dish repair. The answers to all of their problems were always a phone call away! While he continued to farm, Ivan's favorite pastime was watching things grow whether it was his calves, foals, garden or his family. He welcomed son-in-laws and cherished the days his grandchildren were born and the times he spent with them. When his grandchildren came to visit him the work always waited or took a bit longer to accomplish. It was always more important to treat them with goodies in the cupboard and talk with them. They were his pride and joy and he enjoyed each of them to the fullest. Gido made sure the work was done in time in order to attend Christmas concerts, hockey games, piano recitals, soccer, field meets and softball games. Gido was always embedding the Ukrainian traditions and his grandchildren truly enjoyed double the opportunities to celebrate! Ivan's time was cut short with a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer. With his loving family by his side he was peacefully taken from us on Wednesday, October 19th at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan at 63 years of age. Ivan leaves to celebrate his life and memory his daughters Leanne (Darren), Colleen (Kurt) and Kristina (Tyler); four grandchildren Cody, Cassidy, Broden and Kade; two sisters Helen Hamm and Eleanor Seray as well as nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Ivan was predeceased by his parents George and Anne Seray and nephew Marvin Hamm. Prayer services were held on Tuesday, October 25th, and the funeral service was held on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011, all from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. Very Rev. Archpriest Peter Wasylenko officiated. Cantors, Jason Kopan and Daniel Serray led in the singing of the responses. The crossbearer was Christopher Morley. Honorary bearers were Ivan's grandchildren, Cody, Cassidy, Broden and Kade. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Lawrence and Brian Kolybaba, Darren Danyluk, Kurt Bilokreli, Tyler Nesbitt and Jeff Hansen serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home (baileysfuneralhome.com) Service Information Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 10:00am, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery