For Posterity's Sake Genealogy 

The Canora Courier

06 February 2008

TYMIAK  BLAZ

Canora Courier, February 6, 2008 Page 12 – In memoriam:

TYMIAK: In loving memory of dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Metro, who passed away February 7, 2007.

We still grieve for you. Our hearts still ache with sadness;

And silent tears still flow, We miss you every moment.

God holds you in His arms,

We hold you in our hearts forever.

-We love you, Olga, Glen and Lena, Sylvia and Ron and their families.

Canora Courier, February 6, 2008 Page 13

BLAZ: Peter Blaz of Canora passed away peacefully at St. Peter's Hospital in Melville on January 28th, 2008 at the age of 91 years.

Peter was born on January 17th, 1917, the second child of John and Annie (nee Romanow) Blaz, on their farm near Tadmore. He attended Forest Hill School and then went on to complete his Grade 9 by correspondence. He farmed with his father until the war broke out in 1939. In 1939 Peter went to Ontario to work in a gold mine to help supplement the family farm.

In 1941 Peter enlisted with the Canadian Army and was classified as "A" for "plant" because of his health, and was sent to Hamilton, ON to work in the war industry. He worked at CIL and then Wallace Barnes, making parts for bren guns. Peter then worked at Canada Car & Foundry in Thunder Bay, formerly known as Fort William, on the assembly line building "Curtis Helldiver" bombers for the US Navy. The Curtis Helldiver was a carrier based plane used mostly in the Pacific. Peter was in the armaments department installing Browning machine guns in the rear compartment of the Helldiver.

Peter came back to Saskatchewan in 1943 to marry his long time sweetheart, Polly Brezinski from the Buchanan district. Leaving her with his parents, he returned to Ontario to continue working in the war effort until being released in 1944. Peter & Polly then started farming in the Amsterdam area. In 1945 they sold and relocated to the James Pollard farm in the Tadmore area and continued farming there until 1963 when they expanded to include the McBride farm in the same area. In the winter months, besides his cattle in which he took pride in, Peter enjoyed working in his shop making rock pickers, snowplows, harrows, and numerous other small items.

In 1968 he eased into retirement by selling his livestock and began to solely grain farm. Peter very much enjoyed and received great satisfaction from working his land. In 1980 Peter and Polly sold their farm and built their retirement home in Canora. Peter then drove the Esso fuel truck and later the Penguin Refrigeration truck for 7 years, helping to keep him occupied and gradually eased him from the heavy workload of farming. Peter served on the Tadmore School Board as a trustee and was the chairman when the Canora School Unit took over. Peter was a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool committee member and served as a secretary-treasurer for four years. Peter was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, serving in Sturgis and later in Canora, having served in various positions on the executive over the years.

Peter and Polly always took an active role in church activities, attending Sunday mass and serving on parish council at St. John's in Tadmore, St. Patrick's in Sturgis and later in St. Joseph's in Canora. Peter helped establish the Canora Charities Association and served on its initial board for a number of years. In 2002 Peter and Polly were honoured by receiving the Heritage Service Award. Peter and Polly loved travelling, whether it be by car to Disneyland, flying to Hawaii, or pulling a camper trailer coast to coast and throughout the mid-western states, or roughing it at Tobin Lake in their trusty old truck camper. Peter and Polly were blessed with two children and five grandchildren. Gido, also known as "Dodo", loved and treasured the unique personalities of each grandchild. They provided Gido with fond memories in his golden years, such as the fishing trips, souping up the golf cart, and tracing their travels on his globe. Gido's wallet had a never ending flow of $20 bills whenever he was around the kids. Gido encouraged and supported their endeavours and was proud of their accomplishments.

Peter is lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Polly; his son Joseph (Eileen) Blaz of Moose Jaw, SK; his daughter Linda (Glenn) Miller of Melville, SK., and his five grandchildren: Jason Blaz of Lloydminster, AB, Jonathon Miller of Gagetown, New Brunswick, Rachelle Miller (Seth Folkmann) of Chetwynd, BC and Desiree and Nathan Miller, both of Edmonton, AB. Peter is also survived and mourned by his brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews whom he treasured dearly. He was predeceased by his parents John and Annie, his sister Mary Babchishin and brother Steve Blaz.

The Prayer Service was held on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, February 2nd. 2008, both from St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Canora with Rev. Fr. Antoni Degutis, Celebrant. The Rite of Committal followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan as tokens of remembrance.