Ed Gogol

The family of Ed Gogol are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle at the Yorkton Regional Health Center on November 3, 2022, at the age of 88 years.

Ed was born on January 8, 1934, the 12th of 14 children born to Peter and Mary (nee Balenchuk) Gogol on the family homestead. He attended local country schools but left school early to help his father work on the family farm. In 1944, the family moved to the current Gogol farm located north of Canora where he helped to build their new house. In 1956, a pretty young nurse, who had just graduated from the Saskatoon City Hospital, moved to Canora and caught Ed's eye. He said that he always knew instantly that "Ann was it for him.” They got engaged in April 1958, after Ed carried her engagement ring around in his pocket for months, waiting for the right moment to propose, and got married on October 11, 1958. On April 5, 1963, they joyously welcomed their son, James Edmund "Jim" and their daughter, Karen Jane, followed two years later on April 21, 1965.

Ed loved farming and was very skilled in a number of areas that helped him become the successful farmer that he was. He operated a mixed farm for many years, growing various grains and raising cattle, chickens, pigs, geese, and horses. In the late 1970's, he sold his cattle and focused solely on grain farming. It was a hard life and he worked from sunup to sundown to provide for his family with Ann by his side, helping in every way she could, in addition to working as a nurse. Jim loved to follow his dad around the farm from the time he could walk and there was never any doubt that he would join Ed in the family business. They worked side by side until Ed and Ann decided to retire and moved into Canora in 1999. Of course, Ed never fully retired from farming, helping Jim at the farm every chance he got, especially during seeding and harvest time, driving the combine until he wasn't able to climb up the ladder to get into the cab anymore. Ed and Ann enjoyed a few trips to Calgary to visit with Karen, notably to celebrate her university convocations and it was an especially joyous occasion when the whole family travelled to Calgary for Karen and Walter's wedding in 2000. Unfortunately, not long after, Ann's health began to decline and Ed became her devoted helpmate and caregiver, looking after her every need 24/7, until she required more care than he could provide, and she moved into the Gateway Lodge Care Home in June 2008. He visited her faithfully, twice a day, and was by her side when she left this world on their 52nd Wedding Anniversary on October 11, 2010. They were true soulmates, and he has missed her greatly for the past 12 years.

Since Ann's passing, Ed has carried on courageously, filling his days with trips to "Coffee Row" where he would catch up with friends and enjoy his cup of green tea; cooking delicious full course meals; baking mouth-watering cookies, (especially his famous scuffles and coconut macaroons), angel food and puffed wheat cakes, blueberry and butter tarts and different squares so he always had some "goodies" to share with company when they stopped by for a visit; making jam and preserving fruits and vegetables and gardening, planting flowers and still putting in a large garden until a few years ago. He kept his house so clean that you could eat off the floors, did his laundry weekly despite having to navigate a dangerous flight of stairs to do so and kept up with his yard work; weeding, trimming grass and clearing light snow from his sidewalk and driveway as much as his reduced mobility would allow. He was always hard working and didn't slow down until his last breath. Ed was very proud of his grandchildren and always enjoyed spending time with them and it was one of the greatest joys of his life when he got to meet his great granddaughter, Peyton Ann. He always appreciated visits from Jenna and Peyton and eagerly anticipated the next time he would see them both again. These last few years, he especially enjoyed taste testing Josh's latest smoked meat delicacies and was always excited to hear stories about his courses at school and hunting expeditions.

Ed is predeceased by his parents, Peter and Mary (Balenchuk) Gogol; brothers, Ludwig Gogol and Mike Gogol; sisters: Lillian Parasiuk, Ann Filipowich, Elizabeth "Betty" Malinverno, Nell Mazur, Monica Gogol, Pauline Gogol, Adeline Baldwin, Livia "Livi" Zulyniak, and a sister in infancy; and his son-in-law, Walter Kubryn, who predeceased him on December 16, 2021.

Now, Ed wasn't perfect, but he was perfect for us, his family. He could be agonizingly stubborn, "set in his ways", and a bit of a "know it all" sometimes but we overlooked all of his faults because he was also the most caring, supportive, generous, kind, funny, hardworking, family oriented, loving and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle. We couldn't have asked for a better man to lead our family. He was always there to listen, offer advice (whether we wanted it or not!), offer a helping hand to anyone in need, crack a joke, surprise us with gifts when we least expected them, and offer his never-ending love and support. Everyone knew they could always lean on and depend on Ed, no matter what. He will truly be irreplaceable in our lives and in our hearts.

Ed is survived by his son, Jim (Kim) Gogol; daughter, Karen Kubryn (late Walter Kubryn); granddaughter, Jenna (Evan) and great-granddaughter, grandson, Josh Gogol; step-granddaughter, Rachel Kubryn (Mirza) and step grandsons, Leo and Charlie; step-grandson, Ryan (Ling) Kubryn and step-grandchildren, Mya and Marcus. He is also survived by his loving sister, Jennifer Gogol and "big brother" Albert "Bert" Gogol, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who will all miss his big, brilliant smile, twinkling eyes and strong "Popeye" arms that gave the best hugs. He also leaves behind countless friends who will no doubt always remember Ed with a smile, a laugh, great stories and fond memories. Everyone who ever knew Ed or even met him once will miss him greatly. That's a wonderful legacy to leave behind. 

We will never forget you, always miss you and love you forever, Ed - Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Brother, Uncle and Friend

A Celebration of Ed’s Life was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 10, 2023, from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Catherine Pace officiating. Cremation Committal to follow at the Canora Cemetery.  Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to First Steps Wellness Center in Regina, SK or The MS Society of Canada, as tokens of remembrance of Ed Gogol.