October 19, 2023
By Obituaries on October 19, 2023.
LEO GEORGES PICHÉ
LEO GEORGES PICHÉ
Leo passed away on Friday October 13th an irony in itself, as he was one of the luckiest men to walk this Earth.
He led a charmed life having relatively few major setbacks in his close to 95 years.
Fittingly, he was surrounded by his sons and daughters and spent his final hours in the comfort of his Medicine Hat home. His passing was gently guided by Margo and Loraine, two skilled and trained nurses. Lise, his ever present “rock,” as he termed it, guided it all as she so keenly understood her father.
To the end, he remained a steadfast optimist, even dangling a further road trip this fall to Kansas with his children. His boundless energy remained as he would jump at the opportunity to ride in a golf cart with his son Ron, his son-in-law Alain, and grandsons, Patrick and Mathieu, all the while commenting on how he enjoyed the fresh air and, mostly, the companionship.
His first-born Michel was also a steady presence in the days leading to his death, reminding all of the importance of prayer and spirituality that comes with the end of life.
His constant friend and companion, Priscilla, added much to his rich life for the past 10 years.
Born in Gravelbourg, Sask., one of four children from a pioneering farm family, Leo soon demonstrated his ambition and drive. He became secretary treasurer of three RM offices, combining that challenge with growing an insurance agency that would thrive and prosper. All the while, he would find time to raise five children, sit on various boards, including those managing St. Joseph Hospital, Gravelbourg town council, and College Mathieu.
After his children, his greatest source of pride was the establishment of the Thomson Lake Regional Park. As a founding director, he was honoured at the park’s 50th anniversary. In a picture album his daughter Margo prepared after the event, he wrote in a foreward:
“And when you die and think, ‘Did you leave this world better than when you found it?,’ my answer would be, ‘Yes I built Thomson Lake Regional Park.'” Leo was a fixture in his children’s lives, parenting in the same way his beloved mother raised him extending a soft, understanding heart and never once, not ever, even raising his voice to them. His philosophy was that his children were equipped with the tools to be good and responsible people – little more was required. It was philosophy that proved correct.
Leo was predeceased by Jeanine, his wife of 58 years, as well as his brother Gerald and his sister Alice, his brothers-in-law Roland LeBlanc, Marcel LeBlanc, Andre LeBlanc, Don Auger, and sisters-in-law Charmaine (Pratt) LeBlanc and Denise (Blanchard) LeBlanc. He is survived by his sister Jeannine Gauthier.
Left to marvel at this man of energy and vitality are his five children: Michel (married Brenda Korchinski), Lise Piché-Moor (married Alain Moor), Ronald Piché (married Kim Humphries), Margo MacDougall (married Scott MacDougall) and Loraine Piché. His sixteen cherished grandchildren and six great grandchildren will miss him dearly as well.
Many may view the passing of a man of such senior years as something that is not profoundly sad. It is, after all, the progression of things. However, there will forever be a void for his children as there was for decades the assuring belief that he was just a phone call or car ride away.
We will miss you so very much.
Celebration of life and funeral service to follow May 18th at 2 pm in Gravelbourg Sask at the Cathedral.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to AJ’s Loan Cupboard in Medicine Hat, AB.
JOYCE SUBERLAK
JOYCE SUBERLAK 1944 ~ 2023 It is with great sadness that the family announce the passing of Joyce Caroline Suberlak (nee Janke), having said goodbye on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the age of 79 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Gus and Clara Janke; brothers, Gordan and Ron and a daughter, Caroline. Joyce will be remembered by her sons, Michael ‘Mike’ and Glen (Cami); grandchildren, Kassidy (Micheal), Kortlyn, Kai, Kyler, and Lexy; sisters, Eileen and Cynthia; a brother, Allan as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Joyce was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan on March 20, 1944. She cherished being with her grandchildren and family. Joyce spent many hours baking and sewing as well as spending time at Victory Lutheran Church, helping with charities. Joyce is loved and will be deeply missed by her family and so many friends. Family and friends will be gathering to not only celebrate her 80th birthday, but to further Celebrate her Life on March 23, 2024, in Medicine Hat. Additional details and information will be announced closer to that date. (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”
LYNN ARLENE REILLY
LYNN ARLENE REILLY (NEE GUY)
September 1st, 1949 October 14th, 2023 After 51 years of marriage, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lynn Reilly on Saturday, October 14th, 2023, at the age of 74 years.
She was predeceased by her parents, Roy and Gladys; brother, Garth and sister-in-law, Rose Marie Guy (Gary). She is survived by her loving husband, Patrick Reilly of Medicine Hat; brother, Gary Guy of Moose Jaw; niece, Darlene Guy of Moose Jaw; nephew, Duane (Sheila) Guy (Darren Gardner, Morgan Gardner) of Moose Jaw; sister-in-law, Pat and Rick Moffitt of Winnipeg; Kent and Jamie of Winnipeg; sister-in-law, Delores and niece, Christine Guy of Yorkton.
Lynn was raised on the family farm at Coderre, Saskatchewan. She went to school in Coderre. She loved bingo and playing VLTs at casinos. They enjoyed may trips to Vegas.
A private funeral service will be held at Coderre Cemetery. Donations in Lynn’s memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Condolences may be made at http://www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by GRACE MEMORIAL AFFORDABLE BURIAL & CREMATION 1924 10th Ave NW, Medicine Hat, Albert T1C 1T5 403-905-0440 info@gracememorial.com.
Grace Memorial Affordable Burial & Cremation 1924 10th Ave N.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5 http://www.gracememorial.com 403-905-0440
JOHN GUTFREUND
JOHN GUTFREUND September 22, 1962 ~ October 16, 2023
John Anton Gutfreund passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital in the early morning hours of Monday, October 16, 2023, at the age of 61 years. John spent 30 years of his life working at Methanex as a Computer Technician. After finishing college, he started there in his twenties and worked his way up to his final position as the IT Lead. However, on top of his physical title, John was also a mentor to his co-workers and above all, a dear friend and proud member of their team. Upon his retirement on January 1, 2023, John was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer where he spent the last six and a half months undergoing treatment to try and buy him time in hopes a cure would be found. Although the cancer had spread through his body, ultimately it was COVID-19 that sealed his fate as his body was just too weak from the cancer treatments to be able to fight off covid for a second time in two months. John, son of Shirley and John Gutfreund (both deceased) was an extremely devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. John is survived by his wife, Sherrie Gutfreund and his three children, Stefan Gutfreund (Kenzie) (and their children, Oliver and Harlan), Jerahmiah Gutfreund (Chey) and Matyna Gutfreund (Nicole). He is also survived by his siblings, Jim (Holly) Gutfreund and their two children, Emily and Owen; Susan (Ben) Sherburne; Valerie (Brian) Tobler and their children, Chelsea (Joel) Holmedal (Charlie and Brynn) and Tabetha and Branden Tobler. John and Sherrie were parents to many others in their lifetime including Jessica Wolosky-Donovan (Huntley), Sancia Wolosky-Donovan (Dylan, Jakob, Kasey and Alice) and Desirae Staples; with proud acknowledgment to all the others they have taken in or parented. Through the final weeks of John’s life, he was visited by everyone who loved him. All of his family and his friends spent time with him giving him back some of the love he always provided to them. Vigil Prayers will be recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. A Come & Go Celebration will be held in the Grandstand Banquet Room at the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds, 2055 – 21 Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat on Monday, October 30, 2023, between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. with a program beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Memorial tributes in John’s name may be made directly to the Paediatric Unit at MHRH; Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre, Tom Baker Cancer Centre or to AJ’s Loan Cupboard. 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” 10
-9
