Francis Joseph (Joe) Verbonac
January 24, 1955 – November 10, 2021

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our brother Francis Joseph (Joe) Verbonac of Sherwood Park, Alberta on November 10, 2021. Following a courageous battle with cancer Joe passed away peacefully in hospital at the age of 66.

The sixth of seven children Joe grew up on a farm west of Leask, Saskatchewan. Joe attended school in Leask and after a brief period in high school decided school was not for him. He was able to obtain various jobs in Saskatoon, including Canadian linen and learning how to drywall with his cousins. He worked at his chosen trade in Toronto, for a few years. Then he decided to put his roots in Sherwood Park, Alberta, where he purchased a house, started his own company and resided there till his passing. He would also go to Fort McMurray and various northern locations for work.

Joe was happiest singing and playing his guitar around a bonfire, with his many friends and a cold beer.

Joe will be remembered by his daughters Lalita and Trista, grandchildren Andrew, Ayla and Miah. Siblings, Melvin Verbonac (Jean) of Leask,Sk, Bernice Laframboise (Shelton) of Saskatoon,Sk, Mary Jean Steffler of Kelowna, BC, Margaret Ritter (Dan Bartley) of Warman,Sk, Celine Glueck(Howard) of Port McNeill, BC. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and good friends, especially George Headington.

Joe was predeceased by his daughter Jolene Verbonac, parents Peter and Hilda Verbonac, bother Bernard Verbonac, and brother in law Richard Steffler.

Due to the pandemic restrictions in Alberta, the family regret that we were not able to have a Celebration of Life for Joe in Sherwood Park.

A Celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Saturday, November 27th at 1:30pm at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Leask, Saskatchewan.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favourite charity.

Kevin Victor Bodnarchuk
February 10th 1966 – November 11 2021

With our deepest regret we announce the sudden passing of Kevin Victor Bodnarchuk. At the young age of 55, Kevin was a loving husband to Jennifer (Cumming), dad to Tyson and Jesse, son to Victor and Helen Bodnarchuk, brother to Perry (Joannie) Adrienne (Barry) Tracy (Rhonda), uncle to several nieces and nephews and a treasured friend to many. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Kevin lived most his life in Alberta, where he sewed the roots for many other impactful friendships and relationships. Kevin remained passionate about his friends and family, both in Alberta and Saskatchewan, keeping in touch with them and visiting whenever he had an opportunity. Kevin had many great joys and passions in his life but his greatest joy was his family. Kevin cherished every minute he was able to spend with his family spending time together at their lake lot camping, fishing, and sharing stories around the fire. A hard worker at heart, Kevin was never one to shy away from getting some dirt under his fingernails; if there was work to do, he wouldn’t hesitate to give a helping hand.

In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that you take a moment to hug your spouse, children, grandchildren, friend or take a walk in the woods for a minute, an hour or a day. Take the time to enjoy, time waits for no one.

Fay Susan Beckman, age 70, passed away peacefully on November 5th, 2021 due to stomach cancer in Edmonton, Alberta. She was born September 17th, 1951 in Humbolt, Saskatchewan to Catherine (Litz) and Francis Beckman. She is survived by her loving daughters Catherine Beckman and Angela Parkinson and grandchildren Ryder Beckman, Karson Hunsperger and Dane Hunsperger. She is predeceased by her parents and 3 siblings (Verna, Diane and Lavern).

Fay was kind, honest and hardworking, She had a witty sense of humour and truly enjoyed the simple things in life such as spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed going out for dinner at restaurants and going to the movie theatre. She was passionate about animals and treated all with kindness and love. She worked as an LPN before retirement and was very good at her job.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

It is with great sorrow that the family of Akimi Tokuda (Aki to family, Tak to friends) announces his sudden passing on November 5, 2021 at the age of 79.

Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, on September 15, 1942 to Masao and Emiko (Arizono) Tokuda, Aki was raised with five younger siblings on a farm near Picture Butte, Alberta. In 1959, at age 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and pursued a career in avionics, retiring from military service as a Sergeant in 1988. He continued to work as an avionics technician in the private sector until his retirement in 2007 at age 65. Three weeks later, he found a part-time job with Enterprise to “keep busy” and worked there until 2020 when an accidental fall changed his life.

During his military service, Aki travelled to many places across the country and around the world, including a 1973 peacekeeping tour in Egypt. He was a softball player and coach, a lifelong curler, and an avid sports fan. His holiday turkeys, barbeque, and homemade sushi were treats eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by family and friends. Although he was a quiet man, Aki’s big, generous heart spoke volumes for him. He was a bottle-feeder and a diaper-changer long before it was commonplace for men, making him a husband and father that many wished for but that we were lucky enough to have.

Aki is survived by his loving wife of nearly 54 years, Edith (Dee Dee); his daughter, Laurel (Scott, Casi); his son, Jamie; sisters Fay Nowak, Nori Tokuda, Ets Karaki, and brothers Ken Tokuda and George Tokuda; as well as a large extended family and many friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 3 pm at the Granite Curling Club, 8620-107 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta. All of Aki’s friends and family are welcome to attend and all attendees will require photo ID and proof of vaccinations, or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Greater Edmonton Poppy Fund at poppyboxabnwt.com

Velva Pearl Lewis (Hallett)
Velva Pearl Lewis passed away peacefully at the Dr. Gerald Zetter Care Centre in Edmonton on Wednesday November 3, 2021. She was born November 10, 1929, near Swift Current Saskatchewan and moved to Stettler, Alberta and then finally to Edmonton where she lived for many years. She will be dearly missed by her friends and family, including her children Dena (Richard), Blaine (Maria), Ceri, and her grandchildren Jesse, Amadeo, and Briar.
There will be no public service. Please consider donating to the charity of your choice in Velva’s memory.
Online condolences can be shared at www.simplycremations.com

Richard “Jo” Dale Pruss
Born July 17th, 1944 peacefully passed away on October 29th, 2021 at his residence in Edmonton with loved ones present.
He is survived by his family: daughters Angela (Shane) Forwick, Alicia (Nils) Pregitzer, Meagan Fichaud. Three beautiful grandchildren: Willow Forwick, London and Baker Pregitzer, as well as many nieces and nephews. Rick was predeceased by his brother Edward Pruss, sister Rose Pysyk, and parents Paul and Nancy Pruss.
As the baby in the Pruss family, Rick (or Jo as those at the track liked to call him) enjoyed all things horse racing. From the age of 14, he worked in all aspects of the racing community right up until only a few short years ago. He was a stall cleaner, agent, trainer, and owner just to name a few positions. He spent much of his free time at Northlands, Stampede Park and Woodbine drinking coffee and cheering with friends. Rick also enjoyed all sports but his sport of choice was golf. He loved hitting the links and watching all the major tournaments!
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for the exceptional care they gave Rick. We are forever grateful.
Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Rick (Jo) can do so to www.longrunretirement.com and click on the donation tab.
Or by mail:
LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society
555 Rexdale Boulevard
P.O. Box 156
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 5L2

Michael James Langlands
November 29, 1957 – October 30, 2021

It is with great sadness that I write of the passing of my loving husband Michael Langlands.

Michael was born in Creston, BC on November 29, 1957. After trying his hand in the grocery business in BC, he moved to Edmonton, attended NAIT and then graduated with a Business degree from the University of Alberta. He spent most of his work life in the transportation industry and ended his career as a National Accounts Manager for TForce Logistics. Unfortunately his last fifteen years were marked by numerous visits to the University of Alberta hospital and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. He had three open heart surgeries, and an AICD in his chest. He confided in me the fear he lived with because he was so hyper-aware of the frequent rhythm changes in his heart. After his last surgery his heart was no longer strong enough to survive his weakened condition. I and his best friend Curtis Stewart were with him, as he quietly passed away at the age of 63 in the University of Alberta Hospital ICU at 2:40pm October 30th, 2021.

Michael was a kind, caring, and compassionate man who always spoke of friends and family in honouring ways; and he was a devoted man — devoted to friends and family, devoted to me, devoted to my children, devoted to being a loving grandfather and devoted to the companies he worked for. He was generous to a fault, stood up for his principles, and would often say when referring to his stubborn and habitual nature, that he came by it honestly because he had German in his blood.

Michael referred to himself as a jokey fellow, a description that had been given to him by his grandmother; and he lived up to that role. He would often make fun of himself or those around him, or pass on laugh inducing witticisms. He seemed to have the ability to come up with a very broad range of humorous comments and then he would laugh as soon as offering them up. Together we were the perfect couple because I was willing to participate in offering up disparaging comments about things he did as often as he could dish them up about me. We had a life together that was rich. We loved so many of the same things — the symphony, local theatre, summer music festivals, and the Fringe. We had gone on some wonderful vacations, and being a solid history buff his favourite was a trip to the first and second world war battlefields in France.

Michael would say that we were the perfect complement — he would drink enough for the two of us and I was the designated driver. He loved his craft beer and fine wine, and he loved the Oilers hockey team. His best friend Curtis and he would go to Oilers games together and then once a year attend a wine tasting event at the Edmonton Convention Centre…… Curtis’ wife Louise and I would go enjoy a movie and pick the loaded and laughing pair up after the wine swilling event. All of these special memories and many more will live with me until the day I die. We both loved our lives among family and rescued pets, and if I could have one last moment with him I would hold him close just to breath in his goodness and tell him how very much he has been loved and admired.

Michael is survived by me, his wife, Beverly Leeck; by his mother Helen (Pagens) Aldham and step-father Roy Aldham; his brother David Langlands and nephew Matthew Langlands; by his step-daughter Julia Lesmister, step-son Marc Lesmister (Marlena) and his grandson Owen Lesmister; his sister-in-laws Leona King, Christine Joll, and Dianne Larko (Terry). He was pre-deceased by his father Edward James Langlands and his brother-in-law Duane King.

Cremation will take place in Edmonton and interment will follow in Mountainview Cemetery, Lethbridge at a later date. A special celebration of his life will be planned for spring 2022 or later depending on the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
Michael loved dogs and when last we spoke of our final resting place he asked that the ashes of his favourite dog be buried with us.
In lieu of flowers we would appreciate it if you would make a donation to SCARS (Second Chance Animal Rescue Society) Alberta.

Debra Ann Pugliese (Nee Stabback)
January 6, 1962 – October 23, 2021

It is with deep sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of Debra “Debbie” Pugliese. Debbie passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on October 23, 2021.

She will be lovingly remembered and cherished by her husband of 37 years, Stan; children Sarah (Bjorn) and Alex (Rebecca); granddaughter Emberly; grandsons Tyse and Tobyn; as well as many relatives and friends. Debbie was predeceased by her parents Roger and Nancy and we are certain they have a game of cribbage underway already.

Debbie was born raised in Sudbury, Ontario where she attended Lockerby Composite High School and then Laurentian University. It was during this time Debbie held a job at a local grocery store where a young guy in the Meat Department sought her attention – it was the beginning of a timeless love that saw Debbie and Stan married on August 25, 1984. A love-story wouldn’t be complete without a relocation, and Stan’s work brought the two newly-weds out West to Edmonton, Alberta. Debbie completed her degree in Law and Justice and then continued studies to become a Paralegal. She worked for several law firms and county offices but with the arrivals of Sarah and Alex she sought to balance the life of raising a family and working which led to her running her own home based business.

Debbie’s love of travel began with always prioritizing family vacations; from visiting Ontario and showing her children the landscape of her childhood, to exploring the Rocky Mountains and British Columbia, excursions to the Caribbean and later in life touring North America and Europe with Stan. Debbie loved new cities, exploring new landscapes and sampling the region’s best wines. In retirement, it was only natural that Debbie and Stan tested out the Canadian Snowbird status, and enjoyed sunshine, swimming pools and daily hikes with many friends both old and new, in Palm Springs.

Debbie was a dedicated mother and proud Grandmother who always prioritized the best for her family. She attended every sporting event, proof-read every English paper and ran the Family Day-Timer that sat on the kitchen counter with a preciseness and organization that would still challenge the best smartphone app. Love for family was the core of Debbie’s identity and their successes are her legacy.

Debbie also loved connecting with others. Even though she did not like to be the center of attention, she loved the energy that her group of friends or family brought into the room. Going to the gym in the morning or out for a lunch with her friends always brought her joy and of course a good meal in the evening where she could share some laughs with others was always cherished. Debbie always treated others with kindness, even if it was just a smile and wave when passing someone when out for a walk.

There will be no formal memorial service. Instead, we ask that everyone take their own moment and raise a toast (preferably red wine) in Debbie’s honour and hug family and friends a little bit tighter. Debbie always valued the power of hug.

If anyone is seeking to make a Memorial Donation, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or the Canadian Cancer Society. Debbie confronted Alzheimer’s with dignified strength and her family would like to support ongoing research efforts into abolishing an illness that takes so much from so many. The Canadian Cancer Society was a charity near and dear to Debbie’s heart, that with the loss of family and friends to cancer, she spent her lifetime supporting.

Edna Margaret Speakman nee Skeels was born September 23,1929 at home in Bentley, Alberta, the fifth of six children of Eugene Orvis and Florence Margaret Skeels. Her early years were spent in Bentley attending school and helping on the farm. Edna was a self professed “daddies girl”. After
graduating from high school in Lacombe, Alberta, Edna moved to Wetaskiwin to work at Van Dyke Hatchery where she met James Toane Speakman. They were married January 12/1951. Jim was the love of her life. Together they moved to Edmonton and raised 5 daughters who blessed them with 11 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren, their 1st great, great grandchild is expected before year end.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and deep gratitude for all expressions of sympathy and acts of kindness shown during this time of bereavement. A special thank you to Capital Care Lynnwood for their many years of loving care.

BARRY WAYNE JOHNSON 
(1957 – 2021)
 
It is with profound sadness that our family announces the death of Barry Wayne Johnson.   Together, surrounded  by his loving family at home, Barry Wayne Johnson passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer.

Barry was a business owner for over 30 years, and was well known in Edmonton in the flooring and tile installation business.  He was known for his excellence and attention to detail providing his client’s with quality work.  In addition to work, the sparkle to his life after his wife and children were his grandchildren.  As a devoted “Grandpa” he was continuously charmed and delighted by his grandchildren’s adventures.

Barry is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Leslie, sons Craig (Melinda) and Matthew (Heidi), five grandchildren: Miguel, Lincoln, Maggie, Malcolm and Davin, his mother Lois and brothers Brett (Louise), Brian, Brad and Sister-in-law Karen. Barry was predeceased by his father Morley.

Barry also leaves behind many sisters and brothers-in law, cousins, nieces, nephews and countless, cherished friends.  The family wishes to thank Dr Deana Stockburger and Dr. David Candler for the compassionate support to Barry.

A celebration of Barry’s life will be held, on Friday, October 29th at 1:30 p.m., at The Orchards Community Hall, located at 4059 Orchards Drive SW, Edmonton, Alberta. 

In keeping with the current restrictions, there is limited capacity requirements. If you wish attend in person, please RSVP to: barryjservice@gmail.com.

Additionally, you will be required to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test, which must be taken within 72 hours of the commencement of the service. 

Live streaming will be available at 1:45 via ZOOM (Meeting ID: 821 7260 1517Passcode: 369160)
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted at https://pancreaticcancercanada.ca/ways-to-give/. Please search for: BarryWayne Johnson.