March 15, 2023
By Obituaries on March 15, 2023.
CLARE EVA BLORE
1927 ~ CLARE EVA BLORE ~ 2023 Clara Eva “Clare” Blore of Medicine Hat, passed away on Sunday, March 12th, 2023 at the age of 95 years. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Shortgrass Library System, Childrens’ Programs 2375 10th Ave SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G2 or to South Country Village, 1720 Bell Street SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5G1. Condolences may be sent to
condolences@saamis.com subject heading Clara Blore. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed by
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park #1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5 (403)528-2599
http://www.saamis.com inquiry@saamis.com Locally owned and directed CGR Holdings Ltd.
JIM RACZ
JIM RACZ 1947 ~ 2023
Mr. James ‘Jim’ Ronald Racz, beloved husband of Diane, passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the age of 76 years. Affectionately known as “Jimmy the Tulip”, Jim was born February 7, 1947, in Taber, a son to Joseph and Mary Racz. He grew up on the family farm where, from a young age, he learned the value of a hard day’s work. Following graduation from St. Mary’s High School in Taber, Jim moved to Calgary where he first started working at a drug firm. On June 1, 1968, he married Diane Bosch and their marriage was blessed with three children. In 1974, the young family moved to Brooks, and “Tulip” first gained employment at the Horticultural Centre and then Lakeside Milling. Their last move was to Medicine Hat where he was a grain buyer at Landmark Feeds. In his retirement, Jim drove and delivered cars for various dealerships but was particularly fond of the folks at Toyota. He was well-liked and became well-known throughout the province as he made numerous trips over the years. Not only was Jim “a good driver”, but he could also “drive” a hard bargain. Being frugal was a natural talent. Jim was an incredibly hard worker but always made time for his family. Whether it was reading to them or taking the kids to their sporting events… he was always their number one fan! He was a great man with a wonderful sense of humour. People naturally gravitated toward Jim as he could change the energy in the room with his outgoing personality. He loved music and wasn’t afraid to show off his dance moves or belt out a song – he was truly the life of the party! Jim could not only tell jokes, but he would tell them in all different accents for dramatic effect. You could just hear him in his accents say his famous phrases, “you look marvelous” or “you dirty rat”. He was a proud man… proud of his impeccable green grass and most of all his family! Jim was one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed by his dear wife, Diane; three children, son, Glenn (Cori) and his son, Austin; son, Kent (Tanya) and their children, Tatym and Ethan and great-grandson, Flynn; daughter, Denise and her daughters, Taryn, and Tyah; a sister, Margaret (Walter) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Mary, and his brother, Bill. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Road, SE, Medicine Hat on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. Private columbarium placement will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made directly to the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation (ICU Unit), 666 – 5th Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at
http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455
http://www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”
HARLEY LEONARD BERG
HARLEY LEONARD BERG August 7th, 1939 March 13th, 2023 Harley Berg passed away on March 13th, 2023, at the age of 83 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 61 years, Pauline; daughter, Joanne (Kevin) Turchanski; son, Allan (Carolyn) Berg; grandchildren, Jenna (Mike Blais) Turchanski, Tyson Turchanski, Danica Berg and Sophia Berg. Harley was predeceased by his parents, Nelvin and Ruth Berg; grandchild, Braeden Berg.Harley was born in Homestead, Alberta and raised on the family farm. He married Pauline on September 23rd, 1961. Harley farmed most of his life near Grande Prairie, Alberta. He enjoyed playing guitar, accordion and piano. Harley loved to sing and jam with friends. In 1999, Harley sold the farm and retired to Medicine Hat. They spent 18 winters in Yuma and they loved to spend time traveling in their RV. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations in Harley’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s society by visiting
http://www.alzheimer.ca. Condolences may be made at
http://www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by Grace Memorial Affordable Burial & Cremation 1924 10th Ave N.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5
http://www.gracememorial.com 403-905-0440
GARY PODESTA
GARY PODESTA 1949 – 2023 Gary Robert Podesta passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the age of 74 years, beloved husband of Debbie Podesta of Medicine Hat. Family and friends will gather for prayers in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Monday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road S.E.) on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence you may visit
http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com. PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
THOMAS MORTLOCK
THOMAS MORTLOCK 1938 – 2023
Thomas James Mortlock of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Wilma Alice Mortlock, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the age of 84 years. Tom was born in Bowmanville, Ontario on July 21, 1938. His parents were Benjamin Hurbert Mortlock and Kathleen Mortlock (nee Gibbs). He graduated from Ottawa Technical High School in 1957. Tom worked for R.L. Crain Incorporated Business Forms and Systems for 40 years. From 1957 – 1982 he worked in the Ottawa plant as a printer pressman and then became a pressroom foreman. From 1982 – 1997 he worked in the Medicine Hat plant as a pressroom supervisor. Tom was a devoted husband and a wonderful family man. He met the love of his life, Wilma, in 1958. They were soon married on November 19, 1960, and began a family in 1966, with the birth of their son Tom. They were blessed with another beautiful child, Joanne in 1968, and their family was complete. They lived together in Ottawa for the next 22 years. They then relocated to Medicine Hat in 1982, and fell in love with the city. They were fortunate enough to celebrate their 62 years of marriage this past year in November. Tom was a member of the Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds for over 30 years, volunteering to raise money through bingo fundraising. He also helped with the Medicine Hat Tiger Education Fund by preparing and selling the jersey tickets for many years. Tom was on the Board of Directors of the Medicine Hat Bingo Society for over twenty years where he did volunteer work for over thirty organizations in Medicine Hat. Tom had a sense of humor that made a lasting impression on those around him. He was able to fill a room with laughter and brought joy to those around him even on the morning of his passing. He will be forever missed but never forgotten! Tom’s family would like to thank the Doctors, Nursesand staff at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for the care and kindness shown to Tom and family during his stay. Besides his loving wife Wilma Mortlock, Tom is survived by his son Thomas James (Jr.) (Kelly) Mortlock; grandchildren, Marcus Grant Mortlock (Marni nee Mackay), Russell James Mortlock (Taytum Wilkins), Nathyn Hugh Patrick Mortlock (Shelby MacPhail), and Jordan Colleen Mortlock (Chad Yetman); his sister, Kathleen LeBrun of Stittsville, Ontario; one brother, Jamie Mortlock of Vancouver, B.C. as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Benjamin Hurbert Mortlock and Kathleen Mortlock (nee Gibbs), his daughter Joanne Kathleen Mortlock, and his sister Joan Burner (nee Mortlock). The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with The Rev. Dr. Oz Lorentzen officiating. The service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). Those who wish to remember Tom with a donation may do so to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. To leave a message of condolence you may visit
http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
12
-11