August 9, 2023

By Obituaries on August 9, 2023.

ELROY SCHMIDT

ELROY SCHMIDT 1944 ~ 2023 The family of Elroy Schmidt are saddened to announce his passing at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the age of 79 years. Further obituary details will be announced once completed. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting 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”

VALERIE OSGOOD

1951 ~ VALERIE OSGOOD ~ 2023 Valerie Osgood of Medicine Hat, passed away on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 at the age of 71 years. The Funeral Service was held yesterday at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Valerie Osgood. Funeral arrangements entrusted to

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.

DR. MICHAEL O’CONNOR, MB. FRCPC.

DR. MICHAEL O’CONNOR, MB. FRCPC. May 13, 1955 ~ July 21, 2023
Michael Erwin O’Connor died with family by his side at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital from complications arising from his cancer.
Dominica Meagher, his wife of 41 years; Siobhan O’Connor, his daughter, and Brian O’Connor, his son, will always be greatly influenced by the dedication that Michael brought to his roles as a husband, father, and physician. He was fortunate to have some time with his first grandchild, Gwendolyn Grieman. He will also be missed by sons-in-law, Christopher Thompson and Ben Grieman; brothers-in-law, Philip Sexton, Nicholas Morrissey, Sean Meagher (Di Woodstock), and Tim Meagher; sisters-in-law, Margaret Meagher, Marie (John) Purcell, and Bernie Meagher as well as many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. Tragically, Michael experienced the heartache of losing his daughter, Ailish in 2011 and then suffered the loss of his only sister Mary who passed away in 2018. He was also predeceased by his parents, John and Collette O’Connor; parents-in-law, Timothy and Mary Meagher; sisters-in-law, Helen Meagher, Eileen Morrissey and Stephanie Meagher; brother-in-law, Gerry Meagher; and grand-nephew, Nicholas Evans.
Michael was born in Dublin, Ireland. He attended Belvedere College followed by University College Dublin School of Medicine. In pursuing medicine, Michael continued his family’s long history of careers in science, research and medicine. He did his residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital where he met his wife, Dominica. He started his pathology practice at The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Michael and Dominica had their first daughter Ailish before leaving Ireland in 1985, followed by the births of Siobhan and Brian after settling in Canada. He completed his residency at Foothills Hospital in Calgary before accepting a permanent position in Medicine Hat.
Michael has lived in Medicine Hat since 1987, where he had a long career in laboratory medicine. This tenure included taking an active role in the groundwork that led to the cervical screening program in Alberta, many years as the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Lab Director, and support for the expansion of point of care testing. Despite often working on small details in the background, Michael always kept the big picture in mind and was motivated by the impact that his work would ultimately have on patients. In 2020, a stage IV cancer diagnosis forced an abrupt decision to retire.
Michael was the epitome of a lifelong learner. He loved reading and sought to stay up to date on a range of topics, including those related to his profession as well as those he chose out of an innate curiosity about the world. He felt it was important never to rest on one’s laurels, and as such was an advocate for continuous improvement. Michael had a quiet thoughtful demeanor which was evident in his many insightful conversations with people on a wide variety of subjects.
Michael was always quick to acknowledge the contributions of others. He would have made certain to thank all the professionals who helped him in his care. The treatments available gave him three more years with all of us, and for that we will always be grateful.
A Celebration of Michael’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. The service will be live-streamed, so anyone who is not able to attend but wishes to be a part of the service can visit http://www.cooksouthland.com and select the view broadcast button on the home page at service time. Those who wish to remember Michael with a donation may do so to Medecins Sans Frontieres Doctors Without Borders, 551 Adelaide Street West Toronto, Ontario, M5V 0N8 or email to msfcan@toronto.msf.org or to a charity of your choice. 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”

GEORGE RAYNER

GEORGE RAYNER 1947 ~2023 George Allen Rayner passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at the age of 76 years, beloved husband of Laurie Hamilton of Medicine Hat. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. 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

KATHRYN SCHAFER

KATHRYN SCHAFER 1931~ 2023 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kathryn Marie Schafer on August 5, 2023, at the age of 92 years, beloved wife of the late Adam Schafer. Those who wish to pay their respects may do so one hour prior to the prayer service and one hour prior to the mass. Family and friends will gather for prayers at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The prayer service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). The funeral mass will be celebrated in the Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road SE) on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Iqbal Khurshid Celebrant. Those who wish to attend the funeral mass virtually, please do so at http://www.youtube.com/Medicine Hat Holy Family Church or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6zK-XzuXdDHj79rV6ut_Q. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to Holy Family Parish or a charity of your choice.
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

HERBIE GEDDES

HERBIE GEDDES 1937~ 2023 Herbie Nelson Geddes of Medicine Hat passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023 at the age of 85 years, beloved husband of the late Edith Geddes. The funeral service will be held at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend 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). 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

HENRY STOESZ

HENRY STOESZ 1946~ 2023 Henry E. Stoesz passed away after a lengthy illness on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at the age of 76 years, beloved husband of Eileen Stoesz (Bachmier) of Medicine Hat. He is also survived by his children, Sheryl (Mike) Dowler, Sandra (Lonre) Kern, Corrie Silver (Rocky Smith), Michael (Venise) Silver and Dustin (Angela) Stoesz; fourteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; his siblings, Anne Friesen, Jacob Stoesz and Mary (Jake) Peters as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Agatha Stoesz, his brother-in-law Abe Friesen and two grandchildren, Brentley and Shandi Dowler. Henry was born on September 22, 1946 in Steinbach, Manitoba. He worked in construction for many years, 34 of them being with Wahl Construction. He enjoyed fishing and puttering in the garage. Family and friends will gather for prayers at the PATTISON CHAPEL on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. The prayer service and funeral service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. If you choose to remember Henry with a donation may do so to Masterpiece Southland Meadows 4401 Southland Drive SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 0S1. 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 BIANCHI

THOMAS BIANCHI 1933 ~ 2023 Thomas Bianchi of Coaldale, Alberta passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023 at the age of 89 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. 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

THERESIA GERTNER

THERESIA GERTNER 1929 ~ 2023 Theresia Clara Gertner passed away peacefully at River Ridge Seniors Village in Medicine Hat on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the age of 93 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced upon completion. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting 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”

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