Edward German

Edward German, beloved husband of Alice German, passed away at the Regina General Hospital on December 29, 2014 at the age of 80 years. Edward was born on August 3, 1934 in Rhein, SK, eldest child of John and Polly (Slowski) German. He began grade one at Bridok School and completed his high school education at Yorkton Collegiate. After graduating, he attended teachers college in Moose Jaw from 1953-54. He then began his teaching career in Verdent Valley in the fall of 1954. On October 9th of the same year, Ed married Alice Derkatch. The following year he accepted a teaching position at Bridok school, where he attended as a boy, and taught there for another six years. He started teaching at Canora Composite high school in 1961, and simultaneously completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Saskatchewan in summer school between 1961 and 1965. He later took on the positions of vice principal and eventually principal until his retirement in 1987. As a devoted teacher, he dedicated much of his time to extra-curricular activities including coaching high school football, basketball, track and field, and air cadets, as well as minor hockey for many years. Ed was an active member of the Orthodox Church serving as president and church elder, teaching Sunday school, and was also a member of the Saint Andrews and “T.Y.C.” organizations. Ed loved his farm and enjoyed working the land with his son Dwayne for several years. He never sat still for too long. He was very handy and multi-talented, tackling any projects from mechanics to carpentry. Whether he was in the garden, or helping his children and grandchildren with any projects they had on the go, he was always busy. Ed’s children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was always their #1 fan. He loved to listen and dance to Aly, Colt, and Dwayne’s fiddle and guitar music, attended all of their performances and would often spend hours on the phone listening to the kids play him all of his favourite tunes. Gido always said “Tune er’ up kids. Play me a rip-snortin’ tune!” ‘Gido, we are keeping our fiddle and guitars tuned up for you, just keep those requests coming!’ He cheered his hardest in the stands at the rink, ball diamond, football field, and dojo, and could recall any of his grandchildren’s season stats. Ed always loved sports. He played a key role as a catcher and cleanup hitter for the Donwell Supers and the Canora Supers. ‘Gido, hit us another grand slam. We are all here waiting for it on the other side of the fence.’ He also played hockey with the Canora Flames. As an avid fan, he cheered for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Yankees, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. To this day, his family still cheers for Gido’s three favourite teams. Ed was predeceased by his parents, John and Polly German and his in-laws, Joe and Olga Derkatch. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Alice; his daughter, Charlotte (Chris) Edie of Kenora, ON; his son, Dwayne (Donna) German of Kenora, ON; his daughter, Leanne (John) Soini of Calgary, AB; and his grandchildren: Alysen German and friend Kris Hingtgen, Bryce Edie, Colt German and friend Carmen Frey, Carleigh Edie, Skylar Soini, and Keelan Soini. He is also survived by his sister, Violet (John) Rusnak of Salmon Arm, BC; his brother, John Ross “Bob” (Phyllis) German of Winnipeg, MB; his sister-in-law, Jean (Al) Kobylka of Kenora, ON; and his brother-in-law, Laurie (Mary) Derkatch of Mikado, SK; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 7:00 pm and Funeral Services on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna officiating. Both services were held from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Canora, SK. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity or to S.T.A.R.S. Air Ambulance, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Edward German.